Steve Chastain, a Mechanical and Materials Engineer, shows the beginner how to make a sand mold and then how to hone your skill to produce high quality castings.
Written in non-technical terms, the sand casting manuals begin by melting cans over a charcoal fire and end by casting a cylinder head. All for little cost in your own back yard!
The Sand Casting Manuals are good for both the beginner and experienced metal caster.
I have long stated that Chastain and Gingery are the two authors a diy guy should know. Both of them are experts in teaching people how to cast metal into useful items.
The ability to cast metal is essential for industrial society. We need to be able to shape items to our uses. I believe that it is valuable prepper skill because of that, but it is also fun.
I have a lot of other material on this site about beginning sand casting. I think it is an invaluable skill for the DIY enthusiast. I made my own foundry based upon the gingery book and I have learned a lot from this one.