Anyone ever CAST a waterblock?

[nikhsub1]

I have some BIG ideas and some very cool waterblock designs (yeah, don't we all!). With that said, does anyone have any experience with CASTING a waterblock as opposed to CNC machining it? Casting is far cheaper and better in SOME respects. Just want to know if casting a WB is a pipe dream or if it is feasable.

[Diggrr]

Casting would make some awesome blocks that you couldn't CNC so easily.
The only thing is, would casting the blocks become it's own hobby/time sucker...I'm really getting lazy during these hot months this year.

[nikhsub1]

CNC'ing blocks for mass production is expensive, you have to CNC EVERY one of them. With casting, I can CNC a mold, then cast and hand or machine finish. Has anyone done this?

[JFettig]

creapingdeath is working on casting some silver for his block, but i havent seen him around for a while.. maby it blew up:confused:

[Tecumseh]

As a hobby project casting is not practical. It certainly has
been done. Casting a water block is a lot harder to get right
than casting ornamental crap like you see in trade shows
here in the midwest. The big issues would be contamination
of the metal, voids, inclusions...you get the idea. Then, as pointed
out to me in private communication when I considered casting
is the issue of processor size and mounting issues. When Intel
and AMD change stuff your casting would have to be redone.
This means limited production runs.

Consider this: You can design a WB and have it milled out
on a local CNC machine. Casting options are much more limited
and costly.