[Jewelry making - Article 00639] - Re: [Orchid] Machining graphite block

[David L. Huffman]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========


>        I just acquired several blocks of machineable/drillable
>     graphite that I wish to turn into ingot molds. Frankly, I don't
>     have a clue what I am doing...lol. 


    Hi Edward; I used to make and use graphite molds for pewter, and I've
    helped my father make glassblowers tools from it.  It's very easy to
    machine (self lubricating too).  And yes, it's messy.  You can use
    just about any file, drill, saw, whether designed for metal or wood. 
    I'd get a shop vac, turn it on and put the hose end right up to where
    the tool is cutting.  I'd wear a dust mask too, and ear plugs to
    block the noise of the vac.  Graphite is quite a heat sink, I've not
    tried it for pouring gold or silver into, but I can't see why it
    wouldn't work.  You could always pre-heat it if the metal were
    chilling before it filled the mold. 

David L. Huffman


____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________