Why I skip the pre-heat for small brass castings
I think we overdo the pre-heat step for small brass castings... most guys in my shop swear by it. They say it stops cracks and helps the metal flow better. But from my work, I've found skipping it saves a lot of time and fuel. For example, a few months back, I poured fifty pieces without pre-heating the molds, and every one turned out perfect. I get that it's not the standard way, but for quick jobs, it's been reliable. Maybe we should question some old habits if they don't always add value.