[SEL] Rick Rolands and foundry capabilities.

[Curt]

Hey all,
A while back Rick Rowlands announced to us that he was joining a foundry 
for employment and that he had an interest in providing quality castings 
for the antique gas engine and tractor hobbies. I happened to be working 
on several Stickney patterns at the time and entered into discussions 
with Rick about casting these parts.
We have a local foundry in Gastonia that frankly sucks. If you need a 
cart part or something crude they are great. But if you are looking for 
a defect free casting free of voids and pin holes forget about it. So, 
when Rick mentioned his career move I immediately got in touch with him.
He has made a couple of runs of parts for me now, and I gotta tell you 
the quality is second to none!!!
I have machined some of these parts significantly and have found no 
folds, tears, inclusions, foreign material, or anything wrong. Cores 
have been accurately set in core prints and cores have stayed put during 
the pour. A+ there Rick!
So folks we've got a good guy in the hobby and a good guy in the foundry 
business, what more could we ask for!  We just need to keep him there! 
That means sending him lots of business. So if you've got a part you 
need cast, fire up the wood shop and make some patterns. If you don't 
want to make a pattern maybe Rick can do them loose with a follow board.
I just wanted to take a moment to tell everyone what a great service 
Rick is doing for the hobby by being willing to cast small runs of parts 
for our old engines and tractors. The fact that they are excellent, high 
quality castings is simply icing on the cake. Thank you Rick.
Curt Holland
Gastonia, NC