Mike's Workshop Notebook

Ramming Tool

This tool is used to pack sand firmly into the corners of the mold and around the pattern. Achieving a dense, uniform pack is essential—it helps prevent loose sand or clumps from breaking away during mold assembly or the metal pour. Proper packing also ensures that fine details of the pattern are accurately captured in the mold, leading to cleaner, more precise castings.

Photos

Ram Pic — This was my first attempt at bronze casting. The pattern was produced using a 3D printer, making it straightforward to achieve clean geometry, proper draft angles, and well-defined radii on corners and edges.

For the mold, I built a simple wooden drag and cope. The mold was packed using an oil-bonded sand, which maintained good strength during handling and pouring.

After shakeout, the casting went through the usual post-processing: cleanup, filing, and light polishing. It finished out nicely and resulted in a solid, useful tool.