The Do It Yourself movement is certainly not a new one. The term, DIY waspopularized in the 1950s but the concept has been around for ages. The conceptbehind DIY is undertaking a variety of projects either home improvement,restoration, or arts and craft without the help of paid professionals. Recently the DIY movement has received a boost of popularity with the aid ofthe internet. Many pozi chipboard screw are finding that DIY projects are easier to undertake withthe help of instructional websites which provide step by step instructions andreal advice from people who have actually accomplished the DIY process. Severalof these sites provide ideas, photos, message boards, and a sense of communityfor Do It Yourselfers that was simply not available years ago.DIY projects can include any number or projects and ideas.  
Certainly the mostcommon projects include home improvement such as cabinetry or installingplumbing fixtures, but one of the oldest DIY projects has to be metal casting.The DIY casting movement has been around ever since metal casting itself hasbeen around, which is quite some time. Metal casting is the act of takingmolten metal and shaping it with the use of molds into something new. Metalcasting has been used in the ancient world for the use of making weapons,jewelry, and even religious icons. Today, DIY metal casting is used to createparts and items for use in a variety of hobbies and restorationprojects. This includes home improvement items as well. Metal casting canbe used to make door knobs, cabinet handles, and other such items. Forhobbyists, small model parts and miniatures can be created. Even artists usemetal casting for sculptures and jewelry creation.Metal casting possesses the true spirit of Do It Yourself. Many metal castersare drawn to the skill because it provides a cheap alternative to purchasingitems or having commercial foundries make custom items. Nearly everything usedin metal casting can be made by the caster. The furnace, molds, tools, and manyothers are made by most casters.Like other DIY projects, the DIY casting movement is being helped along mycommunities that are found online. These communities act as meeting grounds forcasters to share and exchange knowledge and ideas, not to mention blueprintsfor furnaces and ingredients for casting materials. Metal casting is the pinnacle of DIY projects as it involves the fabrication ofitems from metal. After creating a mold of the desired item the caster willmelt down iron, brass, or aluminum in a furnace. The molten alloy is pouredinto the mold and allowed to cool.  
The cast is removed to reveal a copy of theoriginal pattern. There are several casting methods so undertaking a DIYcasting project can be very involved and addicting.In the spirit of DIY, metal casters strive to make the best for the least. Agreat source for aluminum is soda cans and many casters gladly travel to scrapyards for iron or brass. The DIY casting movement is really gaining steam as many realize how cheap andfun this alternative is.