Not exploring, but I thought folks might like to see a live old school foundry in action as it may make the pictures of the derelict ones have more relevance. T H Dick has been established over 50 years, and is still going strong casting batch production castings. The manager was kind enough to allow me to watch and photpgraph the casting process, I hope you like the results!
I was also lucky enough to have a chat with the company's pattern maker, which I enjoyed as I learned alot from him, before having a moan together about the state of british industry for half a hour
The sand moulds are coated with an alcohol, and then set alight. When the fire dies down the mould is left with a fine coating, which improves the finish of the casting. The foreman was saying this is so important, as quality is one of the only things British castings have going for them over foreign imports.
The fettler, grinding the burrs from the finished casting
Pattern store, like so many we have seen in the derelict foundries
Wall plate, which is being copied for the renovation of a listed warehouse
The company name, on a iron railing pattern
I was also lucky enough to have a chat with the company's pattern maker, which I enjoyed as I learned alot from him, before having a moan together about the state of british industry for half a hour
The sand moulds are coated with an alcohol, and then set alight. When the fire dies down the mould is left with a fine coating, which improves the finish of the casting. The foreman was saying this is so important, as quality is one of the only things British castings have going for them over foreign imports.
The fettler, grinding the burrs from the finished casting
Pattern store, like so many we have seen in the derelict foundries
Wall plate, which is being copied for the renovation of a listed warehouse
The company name, on a iron railing pattern
