Chippewa Brass and Aluminum Foundry can reproduce almost any casting that is made from brass, bronze or aluminum. In most cases we can use your existing part to make a copy but if multiples or fine detail is needed a pattern will need to be made.

Here's a list of some of the items that we have reproduced:

  • Antique Car Parts

  • Boat Parts

  • Tractor Parts

  • Antique toys

Techniques

We use two techniques to reproduce your piece in metal: loose molding and lost PLAS process. The PLAS process is no longer available to us, but if you have access to a 3D printer we can make your casting for you.

Loose molding is a process where your piece is used as the pattern and sand is packed around your piece in two halves.  Your piece is removed and a gate is added for metal to flow into the cavity.

The Lost PLAS process requires a 3-D model to be printed of your piece.  The model is placed in chemically bonded sand.  The sand is allowed to cure and then it is to remove by melting the PLAS out.  Finally the void left from the melted PLAS is filled with metal. The PLAS process is no longer available to us, but if you have access to a 3D printer we can make your casting for you.

PLAS form before and after casting in bronze

PLAS form before and after casting in bronze

Typical Costs

Costs will vary from piece to piece due to complexity and metal used. As a general guideline, one of a kind items will price between $120 and up per piece. In most cases we can use your existing part to make a copy but in some cases a pattern will need to be made. The cost of a pattern can cost from $500 to $2000 and up. If we can use your existing part you will not have the pattern cost.