Does anyone know of a good aluminium casting foundary in Sydney?

[Satchmo]

I'm looking to get some large mirror polishing tools sand cast in Aluminium, though I've been told that things mostly get done CNC these days. Does anyone have any experience with this or know a good foundry ?

[CoombellKid]

If you dont have any luck, you could perhaps try The Queensland
Telescope Makers club up in Brisbane. They make all manner of things
in sand cast, but you might have to join up to get access to it.

Anyways might be worth thinking about if nothing else comes up.

regards,CS

[Ian Robinson]

Aluminium melts at quite a low temperature (under 700 degrees C) , considered doing your own castings ?

[Satchmo]

CS: I haven't heard of this group : do you have any contact for them?

Ian : No , I've got far too many projects to go that way :) though its not a bad idea in the future. There are some excellent articles on home foundary in the old ATM series of books published mid last century by Scientific American.

I'm designing polishing tooling for a 32" mirror. I will probably go the route of aluminium sheet faceplate with tack welded triangular strengthening ribs on the back.

[Ian Robinson]

I think using a professional casting firm will work out very expensive for a one off casting. Considered a subdiameter tool ?

Here's a mob we used from time when I was in Steel , http://www.jadinte.com.au/aluminium_castings.htm

You could try Newport Glass Works in the USA who may have what you need.

[GeoffW1]

I used to deal a lot with Col Turville at Penshurst, for one-off castings. He was good years ago, and has evidently now moved to Peakhurst and Bankstown.

Cheers

[CoombellKid]

They're actually called The Amateur Telescope Makers of Queensland. I
use to have a contact phone number. Bob did a sand casting clinic at
Astrofest QLD a few years ago 2006 if I remember correctly. And I still
see they're still involved with Astrofest so you might be able to make
contact through Astrofest's website. They can make some serious stuff,
not sure if have have ever made what your looking for. But the do mirror
making too so will know what your on about, I would think. If you look
through this years thread on the event, you'll see a pic of a couple of
12" sono tube newts mounted on big yokes. The bases and yokes are
cast by Amateur Telescope Makers of Queensland members.

sorry I cant help much more than that.

regards,CS

[Satchmo]

Thanks for all the leads guys.

The technique of sand casting certainly opens up the possibilities of things that can be made. And yes I may even consider a home casting in the future .

Ian: Yes the 24" tool I'm building will be 75% diameter on a 32".

[acropolite]

There's a place in Launceston (Jacksons Foundry (http://www.jacksonslocks.com.au/foundry.htm)) that does casting.

[snowyskiesau]

There is a listing of Australian foundries on the Foseco (http://www.foseco.com.au/Australian-Foundries-Directory.html) site that might help in locating a nearby foundry.

[Satchmo]

Thanks guys ! :)