[Jewelry making - Article 00103] - Re: [Orchid] Casting challenge

[JoJu428]

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    Hi Rachel, I am not sure if this will help but it's worth a try.
    When I made hinges for bracelets years ago I would insert a graphite
    rod into the holes and have these extend on either end. The
    investment would hole the graphite pieces and the metal would flow
    around these "rods" during casting. You would then have to drill out
    the graphite to re-establish the lumen. The graphite we would use
    was mechanical pencil "lead" which at that time could be obtained in
    various diameters. These were solid rods. The newer "leads" are
    unfortuately  not solid but instead are plasticized mixtures of
    graphite which would melt during the burnout. The old forms of
    "lead" may still be available, but you would have to hunt it down. 

    Perhaps a search on the web might uncover a source. 

    I thought I had, but never tried since I no longer do castings, is to
    use titanium wire of the proper diameter to hold the space and after
    casting try to remove it. It may be worth a try, but I'm certain that
    others who do castings on a regular basis will give you 
    a procedure that works.  Good luck,  Joe Dule


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