Wisconsin Makers will host its ninth and final iron pour on Saturday, April 18.
The public is invited to this family-friendly event at the regional makerspace, located at 200 E. Clay St. in Whitewater.
Participants and spectators are welcome to watch the “pour team” — Teresa “Tree” Lind, retired University of Wisconsin- Whitewater lecturer of art and design — and her former students and alumni melt cast iron in an outdoor furnace and then fill sand square scratch molds with the liquid metal.
This marks the makerspace’s last-ever iron or aluminum pour in light of Lind’s retirement and other factors.
“For the past decade, the iron pour has been the highlight of Wisconsin Makers’ year, enabling the public to create metal art in an easy, fun and collaborative way,” said Wisconsin Makers President Al Jewer. He noted that it also has provided UW-Whitewater students a connection to the community. “Whether a maker or spectator, please join us for this, our final pour,” Jewer said.
Those wishing to make their own casting may buy a sand scratch mold to personalize with their design that day, starting at 9 a.m. Each scratch mold must be completed no later than 11:15 a.m.
By noon, the outdoor forge should have reached 2,700 degrees and be ready for the pour. Lind and her team will fill buckets with molten iron and pour it into the sand scratch molds. They will present the completed castings to participants by mid-afternoon.
The per-person cost is $25. Participation is on a first-come, first served basis. All ages are welcome, but youngsters must be accompanied by an adult.
During the iron pour, grilled brats, chips, water and soda will be available for purchase.
Scratch mold workshop set
Persons wishing to get a head start on their squares may attend a scratch mold workshop at the makerspace Friday, April 17, from 5 to 8 p.m. Pizza will be available for $1 per slice.
They also may make arrangements to pick up a scratch mold earlier than that date by calling Jewer at (630) 430-9498.
“Your unique design will be preserved in cast iron for ages to come,” said Jewer, adding that past years’ iron pours each have drawn more than 100 attendees. “This is a wonderful opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind piece of art.” To get a feel for what an iron pour entails, please view a short YouTube video of the 2017 event: https://youtu.be/Q5HgV94OPe4.
Wisconsin Makers is a nonprofit regional makerspace (community workshop). Work areas/equipment include: 3-D printing, laser engraving, machining, welding/fabrication, electronics, blacksmithing, woodworking, ceramics/pottery, jewelry making, arts/crafts, quilting and more.
For more information on the iron pour, scratch mold workshop or other upcoming classes, visit Wisconsin Makers’ Facebook page at @wisconsinmakers or call Jewer at (630) 430-9498.
