# How much would it cost to have something cast in steel? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 20, 2003, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-have-something-cast-in-steel/189671 "2003-07-20T01:18:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-have-something-cast-in-steel/189671/1 "2003-07-20T01:18:13Z")
It’s a bit of an odd question (surprise, surprise) but…say I have a small sculpture, about 3" x 3" x 3". How much, ballpark, would it cost to have a small copy cast in steel? Or, really, any “grayish” metal. Aluminum or Iron would do just as well. Lead, of course, would be relatively easy, and I could probably do Lead casting “at home.” But I’d prefer the metal casting to be of a _non_ poisonous metal. And a relatively “sturdy” one, too. Not a “soft” metal like Lead. And where exactly would I go to have such a casting made? I mean, it’s a free-market country, I’m sure there are places that could do it…but I’m damned if I know what they are. So, can anyone give me some advice? “Is there a metallurgist in the house?” ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-have-something-cast-in-steel/189671/2 "2003-07-20T01:22:42Z")
Ummm…we have a place here in Nashville that casts statues in _bronze_. Don’t know about prices. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-have-something-cast-in-steel/189671/3 "2003-07-20T01:40:07Z")
Pewter would probably be a good choice, and a lot of the places that do bronze might do that as well. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-have-something-cast-in-steel/189671/4 "2003-07-20T02:28:13Z")
You might also inquire with the local art community. Although most metal sculpturers work with either cast bronze or welded steel, they could probably steer to where you could get a piece cast in steel. It probably is very expensive though. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-have-something-cast-in-steel/189671/5 "2003-07-20T02:42:00Z")
That’s why I suggested pewter. Iron and steel casting is usually only done for commercial items on a large scale. Cast pewter art objects are fairly common. Modern pewter is usually lead-free, as pewter dishes, tableware, etc, are popular. Here’s a guy that does custom pewter casting: [http://www.jeffvalentstudios.com/customservices.htm](http://www.jeffvalentstudios.com/customservices.htm) ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-have-something-cast-in-steel/189671/6 "2003-07-20T03:05:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ranchoth \* > \*\*It’s a bit of an odd question (surprise, surprise) but…say I have a small sculpture, about 3" x 3" x 3". How much, ballpark, would it cost to have a small copy cast in steel? Or, really, any “grayish” metal. Aluminum or Iron would do just as well. > > \*\* I typed “art casting” into MSN search and found several places that do specialty casting. I have no idea where you are located so can’t point at specific one, but I think you can find a suitable casting house on the internet. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-have-something-cast-in-steel/189671/7 "2003-07-20T04:50:28Z")
You can cast a sculpture in bronze for roughly $10-11/pound. This includes (AFAIK) all chasing and patinas. You can get a bronze sculpture with a silver-looking patina relativly easily at any halfway decent foundary. Casting in steel or iron is much more difficult due to the high temperatures involved… Can the sculpture be fabricated or must it be cast? This information based upon past conversation with a friend of mine who owns a bronze foundary in AZ… YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-have-something-cast-in-steel/189671/8 "2003-07-20T04:55:09Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by me_ > **You can cast a sculpture in bronze for roughly $10-11/pound. This includes (AFAIK) all chasing and patinas.** You know, the more I think about this, the more I think this may be low for your application. These prices are for multiple castings of the same bronze, a one-off may be more expensive. It will also depend on the intricacy of the piece. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-have-something-cast-in-steel/189671/9 "2003-07-20T04:58:27Z")
If you tell me what state you are in, I may be able to recommend a foundry for you. I know several reputable foundries in different regions of the country and I’m sure my friend knows of many more. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-have-something-cast-in-steel/189671/10 "2003-07-20T05:19:12Z")
I’m in California, and the sculpture itself—if one’s generous enough to call it that—isn’t too intricate. It’s basically a Cuirass, for a 6" tall figurine. I _could_ use a polymer-clay Cuirass for the finished figurine, but I kind of like the idea of having this particular piece being made out of actual metal…Y’know, as long as it wouldn’t end up costling like $500, or something. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-have-something-cast-in-steel/189671/11 "2003-07-20T05:23:32Z")
I have done a fair amount of casting work. Aluminum and soft bronze are pretty cheap. We use Leerock Casting out there in Riverside county. A much greater consideration is the shape of the casting. We tend to make our work one sided or with a decent amount of draft. If you have an intricate piece to be cast look for investment casting with a sizeable increase in cost. What are you doing? Do tell… ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-have-something-cast-in-steel/189671/12 "2003-07-20T06:04:09Z")
I don’t know of any foundries in Cali, but I will mention it to my friend this weekend and see if he knows of any. A cuirass could probably be fabbed out of plate steel without to much difficulty (again depending on the complexity). The steel, while difficult to cast, can be bent and molded to a shape use the heat of a blow torch. Again, I must state that this information is based upon conversations with my friend and from seeing his work (he is also, actually primarily, an artist, exclusivly bronze and steel sculpture. He bought the foundary to fund his art since it has never been a great living for him.). If you want I can send you his email address and you can write him and send him a rough sketch of what you want. He could, at least, give you advice and a quote, though he may turn you away. He has a small foundry in Tucson, AZ and likes it small so he only takes on clients that do work he likes. I’m getting off line now, but I’ll check this thread in the morning… ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-have-something-cast-in-steel/189671/13 "2003-07-20T21:06:27Z")
I’d appreciate that, **Eyer8** , as long as it wouldn’t be too much trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-have-something-cast-in-steel/189671/14 "2003-07-20T21:34:39Z")
No Trouble… I’ll send him an introduction email and cc you on it. I am working hard on the honey do (due?) list today so I won’t be able to send it until later tonight or tomorrow morning. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-have-something-cast-in-steel/189671/15 "2003-07-21T00:37:32Z")
The most common silver-colored metal for casting sculpture is a zinc alloy called [spelter](http://www.anvilfire.com/FAQs/glossary.htm#spelter). Most art casting studios that cast in bronze also cast in spelter, for lower cost copies of artwork. They could probably quote you a price for spelter casting. ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-have-something-cast-in-steel/189671/16 "2003-07-21T20:10:02Z")
- - - If you live near any larger colleges, call up the art department and ask if you can have them do it, partly as a “demo” for their classes. All they do is one-offs, and they don’t have to turn a profit! ~