[Jewelry making - Article 00086] - Re: [Orchid] Intimidated by casting

[John Donivan]

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    Casting is easy. It's also an art more than science. Your two
    questions: You should never run out of metal because you should never
    cut it that close. You put the wax on the scale (any scale will do,
    but better is always better, plus there's and investment factor),
    weigh it, calculate by specific gravity, which give you the estimated
    weight. Then you add 1/2 oz to 2 ounces to that, depending on the
    size of the casting. This is your margin of error, but it is more
    your button, which is the ram behind the metal the packs it in the
    flask, and leaves a reservoir of metal as it cools. The rule of heat
    is "when the surface is swimming". That means that there will be
    kind've a flux-ey glaze on the surface, which will follow the heat of
    the torch, and it will appear fluid like water. It's hard to
    describe, but when you see it, you will know. 

    We use centrifugal casting - I've been around vacuum, but have never
    done it myself - we use the vacuum for investing. It's true that we
    are a commercial shop, but I would say that the casting equipment has
    paid for itself at least 50 times over. I still use the same vacuum,
    that cost me about $500 gently used, and the same centrifuge. I've
    bought about 5 kilns over the years. Plus the convenience - we just
    pop a flask in the kiln anytime, and the next morning we have a
    casting in hand. 

    AS far as safety - putting casting into the basement of your house is
    probably stretching the limits of what should be done at home.
    Investment is relatively harmless - what they call nuisance dust,
    which you still shouldn't breath. But it's the fire, and some amount
    of fumes. If you cast brass or bronze there's a LOT of fumes. I've
    said it befoRe: If you buy a torch, buy a fire extinguisher, too.
    Finally - as I said, casting is easy. Once you get over the initial
    nerves and get a little practice, you'll be wondering what your
    nerves were about.. 

http://www.donivanandmaggiora.com
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