Metalworking Workshop
Casting Aluminum Parts from 3D Prints

By Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. And he has a new best-of writing collection and “lazy man’s memoir,” called Borg Like Me.

View more articles by Gareth Branwyn
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In this video, YouTuber MyfordBoy silently runs through the project of duplicating a metal part using 3D printing using a sand mold and casting aluminum. I have done a little small-parts plastic and resin casting in my day, but have never attempted a sand cast. It’s mesemerizing to watch the process.

MyFordBoy first printed the part on a Creality CR10 using PLA and then created a mold using Greensand casting. The PLA is then melted a away in and oven and the 2-part sand box mold is finally prepared for the metal pour. The print is pretty complicated and the resulting aluminum part looks more than viable.

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By Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. And he has a new best-of writing collection and “lazy man’s memoir,” called Borg Like Me.

View more articles by Gareth Branwyn