[Jewelry making - Article 00055] - Re: [Orchid] Investment casting really heavy sections

[James Binnion]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========

Peter,

    A sphere is probably the hardest item to cast without large amounts
    of shrinkage porosity. your best bet may be to cast two hemispheres
    spruing to the flat side then trim the sprue and solder together.
    Otherwise you should look at a 1/4-3/8 in. gate (sprue) keep your
    temperatures low for the flask (900F). I would also use a tree type
    arrangement for the spruing in a tall flask with the sphere gated to
    the top of the tree (farthest away from the pouring cup). This will
    give you the greatest pressure to help fill the sphere as it cools.
    But in all likelihood you will have to try this a couple of times to
    make the casting work well enough to use. 

    Have you thought about making a pair of hemispheres from sheet and
    soldering them together? Much easier and even in heavy sheet much
    lighter. 

Jim

James Binnion
jbin AT mokume-gane.com
James Binnion Metal Arts
www.mokume-gane.com
360-756-6550

____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________