[Jewelry making - Article 01057] - Re: [Orchid] Casting small round bars

[Randy Smith (PSS TEXAS)]

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    I gave up trying to make ingots years ago. I won't go into all the
    things I tried that failed, but I found the answer at Jean Stark's
    class on chain making.  We had to make our own gold wire for the jump
    rings and had to start out with 4 Nines (99.99% Pure) Gold.  After
    she alloyed it to 22kt, she took a charcoal block and cut a groove in
    it diagonally. Melt the gold on top of the block and it will run into
    the groove. If it dosen't go into the groove, use a chopstick to
    guide it into the groove.  I go to Chinese restaurants, eat with a
    fork and save the chopsticks for my workbench...<grin>.. 

    It won't be exactly round, but it will be close enough to run
    through the mill. 

    As it cools, you can push it down into the groove with another
    charcoal block. 

    If you used a 4 mm round burr to cut the groove, you will have a
    half round ingot that you can roll out in your mill straight from the
    charcoal block.  I never have to do any cleaning with anything other
    than water. 

    Using a large charcoal block and cutting a grove diagonally will
    accommodate close to an ounce of Gold or Silver.  That's a lot of
    wire at 18 or 22 gauge. 

    Spray the charcoal block with water to cool it off after using it as
    a mold.  It will last longer. 

Love and God Bless
-randy
http://www.rocksmyth.com


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