[Jewelry making - Article 00109] - Re: [Orchid] Buying gold coins

[Peter W . Rowe]

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>        Yep, you have all convinced me that getting 24K maple leafs, or
>     Krugarands is the way to go.    I plan to use the  Krugas for
>     bezels, and  the  Maple leafs for  casting. My questions aRe: l. 
>     What is the best alloy to use for  casting which will not be
>     brittle.  I want to alloy to 18 K.    


    Your choice.  I like about half and half silver and copper, which is
    a bit harder and darker color than the most common 18K alloys.  The
    traditional ones are more silver, often about twice the silver as
    copper.  Most 18K alloys don't use zinc deoxidizers, so you won't have
    to bother with that fuss. 

>     2.  Can one do the alloying and casting at the same time---i.e.
>     measure out the correct quantities for the desired alloy ( 18 K),
>     and correct weight for the model directly into  the casting
>     crucible, melt them together, and stir, and then  cast, or does one
>     need to make the alloy, then after it has cooled use it for
>     casting. 

    You can alloy and cast at the same time.  Just make sure all
    componants are completely melted, and thoroughly mixed before you
    cast. 

>     3. If one has to make the alloy first,  cool  it  and then use it
>     for  casting, what is the best way to turn it into grain---pour it
>     into a bucket of  water?  or what.  4. Can one use fresh 14 K
>     casting grain and   the 24 K. Maple leafs to make 18 K.  I know
>     that these are a lot  of questions,  but you guys  have always come
>     to my aid and  i will appreciate your experience and wisdom, and
>     willingness to share.  

    Pouring from a bit of a height into water is the traditional method.
     It has the drawback that while some of what you get is good sized
    grain, until you get just the right temps and pour speed, you'll find
    a bunch of it is very fine grains, and other bits are awkward lumps. 
    And some bits can trap water, which gets interesting when you remelt
    it (grains can explode). 

    I prefer not to make grain.  I just pour an ingot, roll the metal
    out into sheet (or wire, if you prefer), and clip it into convenient
    sized pieces. 

    While you could use 14K gold and mix in fresh maple leafs to raise
    the karat, the alloy you'll end up with may not be what you expect,
    since most 14K alloys for casting use deoxidizers, especially zinc or
    more recently, silicon or others.  By contrast, many 18K alloys don't
    use such.  So if you raise the karat of 14K to 18K, you'll retain
    deoxidizers, which can change the color, melting point, and working
    characteristics of the metal.  sometimes it's not a good change... 

    HTH 

Peter 

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