Bronzecasting for Boatbuilders
The process of patternmaking and casting custom hardware.
- Dates
- August 11 – August 17
- Location
- Brooklin, Maine
- Tuition
- $875
- Materials
- $290
- Instructor
- Michael Saari
- Experience Level
- Novice
- Activity Level
- Moderate
This is a five-day course ending Friday
If you are a professional or amateur boatbuilder, in a small or large operation, working on traditional or modern craft, power or sail, wood or even plastic, one thing you always have to consider is the matter of hardware. Boatbuilders are often in need of special bronze fittings that are either not available off the shelf or must be cast at great expense.
This course with Mike Saari will introduce the basics of patternmaking, sand molding, and bronze casting. Students will learn how to build an inexpensive furnace and all the tools necessary to cast hot metal using sand-casting technology. Even if you don’t want to do your own casting, you will learn enough about design and patternmaking to minimize the cost of having a commercial foundry make your castings.
In this hands-on, introductory course, each student will make a pattern of his or her design to cast original hardware from start to finish. Anyone who has ever lost an oarlock will appreciate learning how to make copies of original hardware. Students will learn foundry safety practices and resources for supplies. Last, but not least, students will learn how to finish off their castings.
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Who is this course best suited for>
This course is appropriate for someone with little or no experience. The course is designed around the idea that you have not done this before or know very little about the subject. Students should pay more attention to suggested readings or videos to help familiarize themselves ahead of time.
This course involves a moderate level of activity throughout the week including: standing and working sometimes throughout the day, some hand planing or sanding, working on group projects that require occasional participation.
What Our Students Are Saying
Mike Saari ranks as high as any of my best university instructors! He possesses excellent demeanor, knowledge, and instructor skills. Mike ran an extremely enjoyable course.
D.P., Kingsville, Ontario, Canada
Thanks for offering the course on bronze casting which was both productive and enjoyable. I was challenged and that enabled me to learn a lot more than I could have hoped for.
S.L., Raleigh, North Carolina
Mike Saari was great! Knowledgeable, friendly, patient, and very encouraging to each and every one of his students. I had an amazing week!
P.S., Zionsville, Indiana
Michael Saari is an excellent instructor!
J.F., Norfolk, Virginia
Register For This Course
Courses fill quickly, so don't delay if this is a course you want to take.
