Simpson Bolland - The Art of Casting in Iron: How to Make Appliances, Chains, and Statues and Repair Broken Castings the Old-Fashioned Way

THIS book is intended by the author to complete the work begun in The Iron Founder, for which reason it is called a Supplement to the former. Whilst The Iron Founderas stated in the preface to said bookmay in all respects be considered a moulder's book, for the reason that the subjects treated are directly in line with the manipulations called forth in the actual daily practice of the moulder, the Supplement embraces every other subject concomitant with such practice, all of which it is essential that every moulder should possess some knowledge of, even if he does not aspire to the dignity of an expert in the whole art of moulding.

The author realizes the difficulty of presenting these somewhat dry and matter-of-fact subjects in a manner calculated to command the attention of such as are not directly interested in foundry affairs, and his daily experience in the foundry has convinced him that very few of the rank and file, even amongst moulders them selves, care to peruse the apparently tiresome pages of a book devoted exclusively to matters with which they are brought into daily contact. It has been his aim, therefore, to treat the various subjects in a manner somewhat different to the methods usually adopted for the ordinary text-book, and by this means excite a healthy desire, if possible, for a more extended knowledge of what is herein attempted to be explained. At the game time care has been taken to avoid the introduction of anything that would in any sense detract from its worth as an elementary treatise on such phases of the moulder's art as are duly shown forth in the table of contents.

The all-important subject of Mixing Cast Iron is discussed in these pages from a somewhat different stand-point to that usually taken. Foundry equipment and appliances receive special notice in detail, including a table of dimensions for ladles, and the latest application of machinery for moulding as well as other purposes in the foundry. Melting in Cupolas and Reverberatory Furnaces occupies a prominent place in the book; and the original table of instructions for the management of cupolas will no doubt be appreciated by all who, for lack of time or a disinclination to ponder these subjects, are not in possession of such data.

The founding of Chilled Car-wheels is folly explained and suitably illustrated, as also is the production of Malleable-iron Castings, etc.

The measurement of castings necessarily introduces some arithmetic, but knowing the antipathy usually manifested by those who unfortunately know little of these matters, the author has shorn it of all mystification and, by a few practical illustrations, endeavored to make it sufficiently plain to be understood by any one who will make the effort, no matter how deficient his previous education may have been.

Of late years the modeler and sculptor have been gradually establishing themselves as a part of our foundry system, and not a few of our modern structures are being supplied, internally and externally, with some elegant examples of art work in cast iron, which have been produced at foundries heretofore engaged only on the ruder castings for construction. This has brought us into close contact with a branch of the art hitherto considered exclusive, and entirely beyond the ordinary moulder's ability to produce; but the author knows, from personal experience, that all such exclusiveness is fast disappearing, and, owing to the numerous inquiries he has received from many quarters asking for information upon these subjects, has deemed it wise to insert in these pages an account of the methods generally pursued in the art of Statue Founding as well as Pattern Modelling,in clay and wax, and Taking Casts,all of which are kindred subjects, a want of the knowledge of which has a depreciative effect on the moulders of the present day.

SIMPSON BOLLAND

NEW YORK, November, 1983.