Time to build a moulding bench

[oldgoaly]

Pete,
for a molding bench I used a cabinet from a school science lab that had an explosion, it was solid, I lined the inside with 26ga galvanized (g90) sheet metal. It did not come with a top so Just took some 3/4" plywood and some 2 by 2 for guides  It was cheap 15 bucks for 3 cabinets.
   

I don't use it much now. Got a McEnglevan steel one which is about 3 times bigger 

   

the steel keep the oil from soaking into the wood and the shovel from digging into the wood

you might build one of these I call it my break down box, I put the flasks in the break down box, take out my castings. then shovel the sand into the muller.

   

Did anyone warn you there is a lot of work involved in casting? oh the shoveling!

[RobWilson]

Hi Pete , 

My moulding bench is all steel apart from the top .  about 4ft x 2 1/2 ft 





Made an extension to hold a wood working vice ,so it doubles as a pattern making bench . 



Rob

[Pete O]

Hey fellas thanks heaps for the input, I really appreciate it. Especially considering I have very little idea what I'm doing here!
Have been having a bit of a bad time here this week, came down with a virus on Monday afternoon so have been off work all week and mostly in bed feeling like crap. Then yesterday we had about 2 inches of rain and our rainwater tank overflow leaked straight into my workshop and made small islands out of my lathe, mill and drill press. Then today the internet was down (had 2 power outages with all the rain yesterday, probably blew something).
Anyway I'm feeling a little better today, have spent what little energy I had cleaning up in the workshop, and now the internet is back so things are looking up.

Anyway back to the topic in hand.
Rob I really like the idea of using the moulding bench as a pattern making station as well, will definitely incorporate that into my setup. And a steel frame build suits me as well, never been much of a woodworker. The bathtub i plan to use for a sand basin is about 5' long so should provide a good basis for a nice big work area, I'm thinking if I have a divider in the tub I can use one end for shaking out and keep the used sand separate from the fresh.
I have a fair bit of re-organising to do to free up the space i have in mind for the moulding station so might be a little while before i make any progress. Have a few rostered days off now but still not much energy so this might not go as quickly as I had hoped.

And hey, nobody warned me about shovelling....

[Pete O]

Exactly six months since I last posted on this and I have finally made a start. Using the left-over pallet racking from my mezzanine project to make a frame. Plenty to do yet.
   

[Mayhem]

Hmmm - I'm wondering what the probability is that this will end up as a hot tub

[Pete O]

Well I'm planning on doing my metal pouring on top of it, would that qualify?

[Pete O]

A little progress on the jacuzzi.
Bogged up the holes in the tub with some automotive body filler. Put a removable divider in the tub.
   
Plan is to use the small end for breaking-down and for tool storage when the unit is not in use.
   
I have cut a couple of boards to sit flasks on, I don't plan to get any more complicated than this in the short term, as I won't know what is workable until I have used it a bit.
   
I need to nut out a way to contain the sand from spilling out the back of the thing, I have in mind an overlapping, hinged flap arrangement, also some side walls that will serve dual function in holding the back upright as well as stopping sand going overboard.
Nice big bench surface on top. I'll keep my eyes open for a woodworking vice to add to it for pattern making.
   

[Mayhem]

What about screwing/gluing a strip of rubber (or something similar) to the back/lid?

[Pete O]

That's worth a look, I even have some rubber that would suit. Have to spend most of tomorrow cutting firewood, may get a chance to check that out later in the day.

[oldskoolron]

only new here an have learnt heaps already .I am in middle of sorting a casting setup
I got my betonite clay from farm supplies in bundy  was fine and 14 bucks for 25kilo bag also got some FIRECLAY from the riches tile and paving place was 18bucks for 40kilo bag ,,went to bbq galore first and with their prices id need a tin of lube to pay also they had bugga all
 fine play sand from bunnings  made a 2inch brick x 7inch x12inch an heated the face till red hot an could hold my hand on the other side .
as the op said to many things to make fix or do plus bikes to sort that why I joined some shortcuts help heaps
if you need anything in queensland let me know if you cant get it an ill see if I can get it an send to you .

sorry bit off topic I used a steel shower tray with some legs I put on it as a engine dismantler oil just drips out the plug into a bucket .I need a greensand container ect an the bath idea is great might pinch it if its ok