The Charcoal Foundry

David Gingery's charcoal foundry book is a fun place to start thinking about sand casting of metals. This book on the charcoal foundry is more like a "letter from a friend" describing his experience with metal casting. It is *not* a reference-material textbook on industrial foundries. Instead, it's a fun and accessible introduction to doing small "hobbyist" or "prototype" sandcasting.His book is informative and entertaining, but keep in mind that he is not an expert -- he says so himself in the preface of his book -- if you do decide to set up a foundry at home, do additional research!

If you loved reading "Robinson Crusoe" or ever wondered how long it would take you to restart civilization from scratch, this is the book for you. Clearly you need to be able to build a milling machine, and to build that you need a lathe, and to build that you need a foundry. This book shows how to build the foundry, and the books that follow show how to build the lathe, milling machine, etc. I didn't actually end up building a foundry, but it is now on my list. And if I even get caught on a desert island, I will know just what to do.

This is a great book, and the best that I have found so far on getting started in foundrywork.It covers all of the essentials, and guides you step-by-step through the process of building your charcoal-fired furnace. No prior experience in any form of metalworking or handicrafts is required, although some carpentry experience is rather useful. I am a full-time welding and machining student, and this(and Dave's other books in this series), are literally a dream come true.If you enjoy tinkering with stuff, and dream about being a machinist/foundryman/all-around do-it-yourselfer, then you owe it to yourself to get this book, and the others in the series.Have fun!

This book is the first in a series of seven. I bought all seven and will never lend them out; I value them too highly. The author, in a very careful and common-sense fashion, takes the reader through the whole process of small-project metal casting. In later volumes, the reader is shown how to build a lathe, a shaper, a divider, and so on. Throughout the series, the emphasis is on safety, practicality and affordability. You REALLY CAN build your own metal-working shop from the ground up. If you are fascinated by the fabricating arts, don't delay. Lay out the money and buy the whole set. I did and am very, very satisfied. These books are really inspiring and empowering. Do it now.

David Gingery gives explicit step by step instructions on how to build your own small furnace from readily available materials. This is an excellent place to start for people who are interested in metal casting.