Remember beekeeping is local, depending on growing season, etc.
I am located in Central New Jersey, USA which is USDA Zone 7.
This is a cast iron wheel that may become a pulley, gear, etc. The tan sand is mixed with a product known as water glass, which hardens with CO² gas. Known as core prints or cores.
You can use regular high speed steel cutters so tooling is inexpensive.
'Primitive' not at all. Industrialized nations may use cranes and boxes to hold the mold. Maybe a hydraulic press to make a lot of the same core.
At this stage the machinist is looking for cold spots. Blacks spots where the iron cooled too fast. They will probably shave another 10% off for the surface imperfections.
The core sand will get recycled also. Broken up in a cement mixer. The cast iron shavings will be recycled also.
Sting O Meter 2022 = Seven. I accidentally crushed one and got another sting in the finger tip.
Luckily I had some extra equipment and Swarm Commander spray. They're not in the box yet. Fingers crossed.
