[Jewelry making - Article 00075] - Re: [Orchid] Investment casting really heavy sections

[LEESSILVER]

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Peter,

    Casting a solid piece of that size will present many problems of
    shrinkage, porosity and firescale. 

    Rather than one massive sprue you might make a tree with many
    smaller branches attached to the sphere. You will want to use the
    lowest temperature on the mold and metal as you can. 

    Can the sphere be hollow? If so I suggest you mount the wax block on
    a large spindle then mount the spindle in a cable driven handpiece.
    Mount the handpiece in a vice and turn the sphere. You can hollow
    the sphere by turning. That is how I make all my pieces of pottery.
    If you cast a hollow sphere be sure to place a silver rod into the
    center of the hollow sphere or the investment core will break and
    you will get holes in the casting. 

    Its a very simple process. 

    I have an illustrated paper on how to turn wax which I would be glad
    to send you if you are interested. It also shows how to place
    reinforcing bars into the center of the sphere. I might be able to
    e-mail it. 

Lee

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