[Jewelry making - Article 00984] - Re: [Orchid] Vacuum casting seal problem

[Daniel Grandi]

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>         Changing pads hasn't helped.  The machine is pulling a vacuum
>     (I've tested it every time), but I just can't get the flasks to
>     seal.  I'm thinking of gluing the pad down in case air is seeping
>     underneath. Pushing down with the tongs has no effect.  The
>     investments don't appear to have any cracks, and there aren't any
>     blow-outs through the bottom. 

Hi George,

    The easiest thing to make your flasks seal perfectly on a flat top
    vaccuum casting table is to buy a table top belt sander from your
    local hardware shop. Usually, I recommend a 6 inch wide belt sander
    so you can smooth the large 5 inch diameter flasks down to the
    smallest flask easily. 

    I have bought  Sears brand belt sanders and ruined them quickly as
    the motors are not strong enough ( cheap motors). I would recommend a
    floor model from Grainger if you can afford it. 

    The sears unit should work fine if you don't do huge volume like we
    do... We run typically 60 to 80 flasks (4x7") daily so we resurface
    our flasks every 6 - 8 months. When we have to clean up that many
    flasks, the bigger belt sander is neccessary. 

    Heat will warp any flask... standard ones as well as perforated
    flasks. The standard flasks are easy to maintain and fix in a volume
    situation and very inexpensive to buy. 

    The perforated flasks with or without flanges are much more
    expensive and  can be problematic when the flanges become warped  . 

Hope this is helpful.

Daniel Grandi
Racecar Jewelry Co. Inc. 
Tel: 401-461-7803

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