Some newbie questions...

[Sperstad]

Hello people!
Lately I`ve started to get interested in metal casting. And I will now build my self a foundry. I will start with reading some books about the subject, I think these books are a good start:

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Metal-Casting-Manual-Small-Foundry/dp/0970220324/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200433842&sr=8-1

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Metal-Casting-Manual-Small-Foundry/dp/0970220332/ref=pd_bbs_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200433842&sr=8-5

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Charcoal-Foundry-Build-Metal-Working/dp/1878087002/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200434043&sr=8-1

Maybee you people will recommend some other books to?

I will start with aluminum casting, but will try iron casting later. So witch foundry plans should I go for? I would like if it was low cost, and pretty easy to build. And I would like to use waste motor oil or diesel to heat upp the furnace.

Any advice would help, I`m a real newbie

[jjdon]

I'm out the door, but quickly --- Dave Gingery's books are great. All three you show is probably better to have. Understand that aluminum casting isn't so difficult. Iron casting isn't just later, it's MUCH later. A whole different ballgame entirely, very difficult without equipment, and very dangerous without knowing exactly what you're doing. Hot stuff, and dense (heavy), too.