They are in the business of manufacturing boat motor propellers. Michigan Wheel employs one hundred eighty five hourly and fifty salary. Our host, Bob took us on a thorough tour of their manufacturing process. Casting was done at this plant using night and morning shifts rotation.
Green sand is used for casting small propellers and beach sand for larger propellers.
The green sand was black in color and reused after a treating process. The beach sand was discarded after a single usage. We were able to view a pouring for a big propeller. Most big propellers produced at this facility are for the government at a cost of 12,000 dollars each. The method of pouring is an old technique were men use hand cranks and cranes at very close distances to pour the molten metal from large containers into a sand mold.