[Jewelry making - Article 00213] - Re: [Orchid] Rio vacuum casting / investing table

[James Binnion]

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    I bought one of these and was a little disappointed.  I needed a
    small machine to do the occasional small job in my shop and did not
    want to take the time needed to make one, and this machine looked
    like it would be the answer. When I received it I was dismayed to
    find that the valves used in the machine are of a type used for
    pneumatic controls. While these work just fine for their intended
    purpose they are totally inadequate for vacuum work because of their
    small port size. Due to the low pressure involved (14 psi max)
    vacuum valves need to have at least as large an internal diameter
    (port) as the tubing you are using for a rapid evacuation of the
    bell jar. Even with my 5 cfm pump the evacuation of the bell jar was
    very slow. Ideally you need to be able to bring the investment to a
    boil in 45 seconds or less this was not happening with the machine
    as purchased. I ended up replacing the very fancy single valve with
    two three way ball valves with full 3/8 inch ports and now it works
    fine for me, but I would not recommend this route as the time and
    added cost makes this less than a bargain. I have had some
    experience with Rio's VIC 9 unit and it works fairly well for an
    all-in-one type machine. If you can afford the extra $345 I would
    look at that unit instead. 

Jim Binnion

James Binnion Metal Arts
Phone (360) 756-6550
Toll Free (877) 408 7287
Fax (360) 756-2160
http://www.mokume-gane.com
jbin AT mokume-gane.com
Member of the Better Business Bureau

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