[Jewelry making - Article 01214] - Re: [Orchid] Ingot Casting

[David L. Huffman]

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>             I find it interesting that so many metalsmiths seem
>     mystified by alloying metals in their studios. 

Hi Jay;

    I've been alloying my own gold alloys for a long time. I would never
    try to make sterling. Pointless to go through the challenge of
    melting copper for the small amount of money saved. But the savings
    of alloying your own gold are significant. That said, I'm thinking
    of abandoning the job and resorting to pre-mixed alloys. I have
    already stopped making my own white gold alloys due to the difficulty
    of melting the alloy and the problems of oxides. If you don't get the
    alloy thoroughly mixed into the gold, you'll be sorry as your
    casting will have bits of unmixed alloy in it, usually nearest the
    sprue. I know, you can melt and pour shot, but a second melting
    increases the problems of gasses in the metals. I'm at the point
    where I'm not willing to accept any amount of risk if it is at all
    avoidable. A bad casting means re-carving, re-casting, and that means
    cutting my pay in half. 

David L. Huffman

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