Stake
A foundry device for guiding flasks, drawbacks, and other portions of a mould, independent of either pins, slides, or hinges, and for all of which modes the stake is a substitute. For instance, a cope is employed to cover the mould which is bedded in the sand floor; a stake driven into the floor at each corner against a suitably provided guide-piece furnishes the means for closing exactly similar to an ordinary slide in a flask part. Iron stakes close better than wood, and may be from 1 inch to 2 inches square or round. If not firm enough when driven down and rammed, they are readily stiffened by driving a short wooden one of larger diameter behind. See FLASKS; PIN.