Vintage Casting
Vintage Casting
Vintage Stoves – Classic Designs to Warm your Heart
Have you ever been to the antique market, or watching the “Antiques Roadshow”, and seen those wonderful woodstoves for days passed? They are absolutely amazing, especially if you can find one in good shape. A friend of mine recently installed a “4 O’clock” stove dating back to the early 1900’s, and it looks marvelous! It got me thinking about woodstoves, in general, and I started to research many of the vintage stoves. I have listed the most popular models below. Get yourself a cup of tea, put your feet up, and read on!
Victorian Stoves – These stoves date back to the late 1800’s. They are generally made from cast iron, and adorned with nickel. This early kitchen stove will meet all of your cooking needs.
Country Stoves – These stoves generally date to around the early 1900’s. It is very similar to the Victorian stove, but more effort has been out into the nickel highlights and the clean, crisp casting.
Retro Stoves – These particular stoves are simply updated versions of the above. In the 1930’s, when these stoves were immensely popular, the kitchen seemed to be the central point in one’s home. These stoves were integral to the “modern” kitchen.
Cylinder Stoves – These stoves are likely the most easily recognizable of the antique stoves. They were renowned for their extraordinary ability to heat a home, while taking up very little floor space.
Potbelly Stoves – Early American photographs abound with images of the potbelly stove. These stoves were found in railway stations, saloons, brothels, and many other historic settings on the western frontier.
Parlour Stoves – Back in the Victorian era, these beautiful stoves were a focal point in traditional parlour rooms. At the height of their popularity, artisans adorned them with various designs such as cherubs, mythological figures, and floral designs.
Franklin Fireplaces – This stove is pure Americana. It was designed by Benjamin Franklin, and early American inventor, craftsman, and President. All wood stoves used for heating owe their heritage to Benjamin Franklin, and his efficient design.
These are but a few of the stove types I came across in my research. These stoves are all wonderful examples of design and function. If you happen to see any of these stoves while shopping for antiques, do let me know. Or buy one for yourself! You won’t regret it!
About the Author
Kim Filler loves shopping for antiques in obscure, out-of-the-way markets. When she is free from her daily pursuits, she writes for fireplacesandwoodstoves.com – a site with information on wood stove guides, wood stove Pros and Cons, fireplace accessories and more.
Brass Foundry Tips and All About Brass Casting
Brass is a great metal to cast with as it can provide some really great looking results. Many believe that brass, an alloy of zinc and copper, has been around since our prehistoric ancestors. Today brass is used for a multitude of products from coins to trumpets not to mention a whole bunch of other musical instruments.
The low melting point makes brass a really great material for metal casting since even the smaller home grown furnaces can be used. By adding and subtracting alloys from bronze one can successfully make hard or soft bronzes. Aluminum and tin are sometimes added to bronze to create a layer that is not corrosive and very durable. Of course, for the home foundry users, playing alchemist isn’t really an option or necessary and scrap brass is perfectly acceptable in many cases. Locating scrap pieces of brass should be sufficient enough for whatever project you have in mind. Due to brass’ gleam and yellow shine, many artists will use the alloy for sculptures, jewelry, and other decorative items. Other metal casters may choose to use brass for general hardware needs or vintage car restoration, and of course, whatever else they may choose.
Generally there are three casting methods that prove to be suitable for brass casting. Metal casters may choose to experiment with different methods and should not allow themselves to be limited.
Lost Wax casting is usually associated with bronze casting but can also be used for brass and for really any other metal. By using a wax model and covering it with a ceramic shell, artisans are able to inject the molten alloy which replaces the wax. Chipping away the shell will reveal the brass piece. Lost wax casting is used when a high attention to detail is needed. Artists or metal casters looking to create decorative brass pieces or sculptures will find that the lost wax casting technique will meet their needs far better than other techniques and methods.
Die casting is yet another method used for brass casting. Die casting is normally used in commercial foundries since the initial start up cost is undesirable for the smaller home foundries. By using a reusable mold created from steel, the caster will be able to create scores of identical products. Die casting with brass should be used if the caster or artists is planning to make multiples of one product and can find a viable market for those pieces.
Sand casting is probably the oldest type of casting and is still a popular method especially for small foundries. The brass is poured into sand molds and can create a unique look which may be preferred for the artisans. Sand casting tends to be the most economically sensible for small foundries and if the casting does not have to be incredibly attractive then this method is preferable for many.
Whichever casting method is used for casting the brass really depends on the individual. Many find that casting brass to be fun and easy since it does melt rather easily. A large expensive furnace is not a requirement when casting brass so first timers using small home made furnaces will find this alloy attractive. Many have even been able to melt brass in small ceramic pots using charcoal!
Some ideas of what to make with brass include candle holders, plumbing fixtures, and even musical instruments.
About the Author
Go to Metal Casting Zone to get your free ebook on Metal Casting at http://www.metalcastingzone.com. Metal Casting Zone also has a Metal Casting Forum, Metal Casting Information, and a Metal Casting Blog that can all be found at http://www.metalcastingzone.com. Go to http://www.metalcastingzone.com to see the latest information on Metal Casting that has been added.