[Jewelry making - Article 00308] - Re: [Orchid] Casting Sand

[Ron Charlotte]

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    If you are trying to try this form of casting, Grobet sells prepared
    casting sand under the ProCraft name that is ready to go out of the
    can (appx 5lb cans). If you want to mix your own, I tripped across
    this recipe on another forum: 

          Prices shown here is what it cost me (http://www.ray-vin.com
          http://www.ray-vin.com ) to make my first batch. I am not
          selling K-Bond at this time. Density is about.17 lbs per cubic
          inch. One pound is 5.86 cubic inches. My cost per 100 pounds is
          $31.51 not including freight. Ingredents: 100 lbs. sand - 100
          mesh or finer - http://www.u-s-silica.com/US Silica F110 6 lbs.
          Organo-bentone - http://www.rheox.com/Bentone 34 or
          http://www.scprod.com/VG-69 3 lbs. Polybutane (2 US Quarts)
          Indopol L-100 BP Petroleum or
          
http://chevron.com/prodserv/NewOronite/products/pr_polybutene.htm 

          Chevron OLOA 

          0.2 lbs. (3.2oz or 91grams) Isopropyl alcohol - any pharmacy 

          - or - 

          0.2 lbs. (3.2oz or 91grams) Methanol (dry gas) - Auto Parts
          Store 

          - or - 

          0.2 lbs. (3.2oz or 91grams) Propylene Carbonate -
          http://www.lab-proinc.com/Lab-Pro, Inc. 

          Mixing: 

          Mix the sand and bentone first, then blend in the oil
          thoroughly. I have done 10 lb. batches by hand with good
          results. The bentone is very dusty and the sand contains silica
          so wear a dust mask! Add in the alcohol and mix thoroughly.
          Done! 

          The sand won't seem like much until the alcohol takes effect
          and then it will become like stiff cookie dough. How stiff? It
          boggs down my muller! It will be much easier to handle when it
          is a day old and will get easier to use with time and use. The
          sand gets powdery after it sits and it is best to mull it or
          warm it before use. When green strength starts to fade, add in
          some alcohol. 

          Sand: 

          F110 from http://www.u-s-silica.com/US Silica My cost per pound
          $0.21 $8.95 / 100 lbs. from Abrasives & Equipment of Atlanta
          This is an excellent foundry sand. You should try to get it.
          Check with sand blaster suppliers or contact US Silica and ask
          where you can get it near you. 

          Bentone 34: My cost per pound $2.76 $138 / 50 lbs. from ViChem
          in Medley, FL 1-800-325-6109 Made by
          http://www.rheox.com/Rheox. 

          You can use other organo-bentones as well. One is known as
          VG-69 and is used by oil drilling rigs. Don't even think about
          trying bentonite, kitty-litter or speedy dry. They are a
          completly different thing and I am tired of explaining why they
          don't work with oil. Try it if you must, but have a hole ready
          for getting rid of it! 

          Oil: 

          Penzoil synthetic 2-stroke oil: My cost per pound $2.00 From
          Wal-Mart $11.95 / 6 lbs. (1 gallon) 

          The receipe calls for Indopol L100, but it is difficult to get
          in small quantities (Less than 55 gallons). Indopol is a
          polybutene and is manufactured by BP as well as Chevron. You
          can sometimes find it at industrial lubricant distributors who
          will tap off 5 gallons for you. You can also call and ask for a
          sample. 

          Gelling agents: 

          I find propylene carbonate to work the best, but these easier
          to get alcohols work well. 

          Isopropyl: Rubbing alcohol from Wal-Mart 

          Methanol: Dry Gas from Wal-Mart 

          Here is a post from Tom Cobett stating where he gets his
          materials: 

               Dec. 19, 2002 

               You can purchase a 5 gallon pail of propylene carbonate
               from the following company for about $150.00 or less. They
               will ship by UPS. 

               REFCOTEC Inc. (330) 683-2200
               542 Collins Blvd.
               Orrville, OH 44667

               These guys supply K-BOND materials to commercial
               foundries. You can buy BENTONE 34 from them also. I doubt
               if they would sell anything less than a 5 gallon pail or a
               50 lb. bag of BENTONE. Talk with their salesman Randy
               Gallatin. He has been involved with the commercial side of
               K-BOND since it was invented about 5 years ago. These are
               really nice people who have carved out a niche market by
               manufacturing ceramic coatings, silicate binders, core
               adhesives, release agents and specialty products for use
               in foundries.
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