Patent ID: 8061405

Claim:
A method for manufacturing a down hole tool casting, comprising: forming a down hole tool casting assembly comprising: a mold having an interior surface, the mold defining a mold volume therein; a blank suspended at least partially within the mold volume; and a casting material disposed within the mold volume surrounding at least a portion of the blank; applying heat to the down hole tool casting assembly, wherein the heat results in the casting material exerting a force on the inner surface of the mold; bracing the outer surface of the mold to prevent fracture of the mold, comprising: forming a belt assembly comprising: a base plate; and an outer belt coupled to the outer perimeter of the base plate, the outer belt and the base plate defining a belt volume therein; placing the down hole tool casting assembly within the belt volume; and loading a mid-belt into a substantial portion of the belt volume that is located between the outer perimeter of the down hole tool casting assembly and the inner perimeter of the outer belt; and removing the down hole tool casting once the down hole tool casting assembly is cooled.