There are many cases in moulding in which a core is not adequately supported by its bearings in the sand of the mould, particularly if it has but one bearing or is not a straight core.

It is the practice in these cases to support the core by pieces of metal called chaplets, placed in the mould space. When metal is poured into the mould around the chaplets, they soften and become a part of the casting.

Fig. 125. - Chaplets.

Fig. 125 shows four of the many shapes of chaplets much used. These are of iron or brass as may be needed. Chaplets must be cleaned before placing them in a mould. They are often tinned.

It is frequently necessary to place a chaplet above a core to keep the metal from floating the core out of position, beside placing a chaplet under the core to support it before the metal is poured in.

There will be noticed often on the outer surfaces of hollow-cast pipe elbows, cone-shaped projections or rough spots which mark the position of chaplets.

Chaplets are sometimes used in narrow mould spaces to insure the required thickness of metal in the casting.