Changed my mind about using a cold ladle for a quick patch job

I was working a night shift at the old Midvale plant, and we had a small break in a green sand mold for a gear blank. Figured I could just use a cold ladle to pour a quick fix instead of heating a fresh one. The metal froze halfway down the sprue and made a way bigger mess. Had to stop the line, break out the whole section, and re-ram. Anyone else learned this the hard way with a 'quick' fix?

3 comments

3 Comments

iris_mason883mo ago

That "quick fix" turning into a bigger mess is the worst feeling. I've definitely been there trying to save five minutes and costing myself an hour. It's a lesson you only need to learn once, right?

hayes.tara3mo ago

@iris_mason88 Only need to learn it once? I wish.

fiona3321mo ago

Read a thing online that said fixing something yourself is like gambling - sometimes you win, sometimes you lose way more than you planned. That quick fix trap is real, it gets me every time too.