Why I like this foundry stuff.

This letter is in response to the June 2003 MODFRN CASTING editorial, "Why I Like This Foundry, Stuff."

Not long after I moved to Illinois to accept a position at Buehler Ltd., a supplier of equipment for metallographic laboratories, I had my first encounter with the foundry industry. I was asked to help a potential customer from an established foundry in Southern Illinois. He explained to me that his foundry, had made castings for fine farm equipment industry for many years, but now saw the need to install a metallographic laboratory to meet the stricter requirements of their customers.

It wasn't much later that I received a call from a friend at AFS asking if they could bus a group of 24 students to our facility for hands-on training in specimen preparation for metallographic examination. Although it was a stretch to accommodate that many students fin training in our small laboratory, we made it work.

That was the beginning of a long relationship with AFS that continued until my retirement. When our newer laboratories were completed in the mid-1970s, our firm donated the original equipment to the Cast Metals Institute (CMI). My company also encouraged me to accept an invitation from CMI to teach classes.

Recently I began writing my autobiography, My Many Hats. While I recounted many of my rich experiences at CMI, it reminded me of the great relationships I had with the fine people that helped me In October, more than 100 foundrymen gathered in Destin, Florida for Line AFS Foundry Executive Conference. The highlight of the conference was succeed in my teaching efforts. My experiences at AFS and CMI were very enjoyable and rewarding.

Some time before I hung up my "foundry hat," I was asked to attend the 1990 AFS Annual Meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, where I was presented a CMI Directors Award in recognition of my 20 years as a CMI instructor. I greatly appreciate this plaque that still hangs on my wall.

JIM NELSON, RETIRED

BUEHLER LTD., LAKE BLUFF, ILLINOIS