HASCO Foundry
Background
History
HASCO Foundry is located in 1122 Doveton Street North. HASCO was founded in 1985 by Harold John (Jack) Jack Hassell and his son Rob Hassell. Jack Hassell worked at John Valves and retired after 30+ years as chieff metallurgist with that company. He decided to build his own foundry in his backyard. Today the original building stands, made out of pieces of iron and timber that were found the backyard.
HASCO are a small family business that continue to manufacture metal goods for the Ballarat region and beyond. HASCO have contracts with local businesses including the Ballarat Council and MaxiTRANS. The family business consists of Rob Hassell, his wife Paula, and sons Paul Hassell (Director), and Adam Hassell (Director), working in the original building originally used as a chicken farm by the Fisher family.[1]
HASCO specialise in non-ferrous green sand castings for both industry and the metal goods aficionado. The metals used by HASCO are aluminium, brass, lead, copper, gun metal and bronze. Most products made by HASCO are components for transportation and hydrant and valve fittings, with some individual requests made for one off items, such as plaques and vintage automobilia.
HASCO uses a traditional green sand recipe using local products when available. For many years the sand HASCO used for casting was from Lake Burrumbeet, until it became unavailable. Todays sand which is locally sourced graded sand, is combined with a synthetic clay (dextrin and bentonite) in a small muller, allowing the sand to build strength and mold-ability. The sand is then molded around various patterns with runners and ingates thus allowing the metal to flow inside the mold filling the cavity. After solidification the casting is knocked out. The sand is then allowed to cool by adding water, later is is reused with the addition of more synthetic clay. The runner system is cut away from the casting. All ingates, joint lines, and any imperfections are fettled smooth using grinders and sanders.
From January 2014 HASCO Foundry is moving to a new purpose built facility in 34 Paddys Drive Delacombe.
Site
Innovations
Community Involvement
Works Produced
Workplace Relations
The People
Legacies
See Also
1122 Doveton Street North, Ballarat
Notes
References
Original text - As told to Lyndel Ward 16:24, 11 December 2011 (EST) by Paul Hassell and Rob Hassell.
- ↑ Reminiscences of Paula Hassell,28 October 2013.
External Links
--Lyndel Ward 14:51, 14 December 2011 (EST)