Patternmaking for Model Engine

[Jordan]

Hello,

I am just curious how would you go about making a pattern for a model engine? I am wondering because i would like to try and make some patterns of an engine to make a model of it.

thanks

Jordan

[Dan Donaldson]

Jordan

There are books that appear on ebay every now and then that specialize in pattern and mold making. These books include new editions and old books. Try a "casting pattern" search on ebay there are some books listed at this time.

Dan

[Kelly Tytlandsvik]

Try going to this site then clicking on Rupert and Robert they both do casting as well as some of the others. If you check in live steam magazine or homeshop machinist magazine you should be able to find tons of books on casting and foundry work.

Kelly T

http://www.pacificsun.ca/metalheads.html

[ListerDiesel]

It's a bit of a dying art now, but as has already been said, look out for the earlier engineering books which still crop up very frequently on ebay or Abe Books.
It is also possible to find specific books on patternmaking and casting that were produced by the iron supply companies:

"Gray Iron Castings Handbook" by the Grey Iron Founders Society, Cleveland, 1958, Charles F. Walton.

It is about the materials mainly, but has a very good section on simple and more complex patternmaking that you would find interesting.

There are copies available on Abe Books starting at $10.00 plus postage:


Lindsay Publications also do a reprint of an old one:

Patternmaking, 1905 (Lost Technology Series) (ISBN:0917914031)

Loads out there, use your keyboard and get looking!

On abebooks.com, always use the advanced search option, and thin out unwanted subjects by using the Boolean Logic search parameters. It's easy once you try, and get used to it.

Peter

[Randy Hart]

Jordan, The book Listerdiesel mentioned... Patternmaking, 1905 (Lost Technology Series) (ISBN:0917914031)
Is a very good book, I found a copy along with 5 other casting related books at Portland this summer and I find myself reading it more than the others.. It does not cover model engines as a specific example but gives the basics you need to start out.. I might add, a good working knowledge of casting is a big help! Knowing what is required to make a good pour goes hand in hand with patterns.. Good luck ! Randy Hart Ohio

[Jordan]

Thanks Randy for the info.

[Wm. Galloway]

Jordan,
As many have said, it is a dying art. But, there are still resources out there. I was a patternmaker for 15 years before working for foundries selling castings. I went to Minneapolis Technical Institute for patternmaking twenty three years ago. The course has since been shut down. Even then, there no good books for patternmaking. We used a text book from the Navy. You couldn’t believe the clearances we had to go through to get these books. Sorry, you can’t have mine. But, some good resources would be American Foundry Society. http://www.afsinc.org/ You can subscribe to a free copy of Modern Casting magazine. Occasionally there will be good information on patterns. They also have an online book store where you can order a patternmaking book. http://www.afsinc.org/estore/srch_De...rderNum=PM8600
The most important lesson you will need to learn is how the interior portion of a casting is made (core). And the relationship of the pattern to core (core print). How do plan on making the castings? Pouring them yourself? That’s a whole lot more learning you must tackle. Melting metal and pouring into sand is unbelievably complex. Will you have a foundry make the castings for you? Many foundries will be less than enthusiastic about using your pattern if this is your first venture into the craft. If the cores and pattern don’t work just right the first time, the foundry experiences a lot more expense than they are charging for the casting. Good luck. I’ll help in any way I can.
Chris Witt

[Jordan]

Thank you very much Chris for the encouragement. I'll probably get a foundry to make the castings if it isn't out of my budget range.

Thanks
Jordan

[todengine]

Jordan,

I can make the castings that you want and it won't cost you a fortune. Our foundry specializes in making castings for engine collectors and modelers. Contact me offlist and I might be able to help you with your patternmaking questions.

Rick Rowlands
Tod Engine Works
ferrous and nonferrous castings
Youngstown, OH
rick@todengine.org
http://www.todengine.org/engineworks.html