Woodman Casting [portable] -

Pack unsealed wood pattern in dry olivine sand, pour molten metal directly onto wood. Wood gasifies, metal fills void. Risk: violent steam explosion if wood moisture >8%. Requires venting. When casting metal into a mold made from a wood pattern (Method A or C), follow these metal-specific guidelines:

| Metal | Pour Temp | Mold Requirement | Wood Pattern Prep | |-------|-----------|------------------|--------------------| | Aluminum | 1250–1350°F | Green sand, dry sand | Sealed, waxed | | Bronze | 1900–2100°F | Petrobond (oil sand) | Heavy draft, smooth | | Gray Iron | 2500–2700°F | Dry sand + graphite wash | Avoid sharp corners | | Zinc | 800–900°F | Green sand | Any sealing works | woodman casting

*Note: "Woodman Casting" is not a standardized industrial term (like "lost wax" or "sand casting"). It most commonly refers to two distinct practices: (1) casting molten metal directly into a prepared wood mold (risky/experimental), or (2) casting an object made of wood using a refractory mold (the standard interpretation). This guide focuses on the latter, most viable method: * Part 1: The Philosophy & Physics of Woodman Casting Unlike metal or plastic patterns, wood is anisotropic (strong along grain, weak across it) and hygroscopic (absorbs/releases moisture with humidity). This makes it both a beautiful and treacherous pattern material. Pack unsealed wood pattern in dry olivine sand,