Hey! Im trying to cast using the same torch (ts4000) and map pro gas like you. Im trying to melt some grain i bought which is a copper alloy that claims to have a melting point of 1,715 F, which is similar to silver, but after 15 minutes of constant heat with the torch i could barely get the metal to melt at all. Im using a similar ceramic crucible and only have about an once in there. Am i doing something wrong? Should i try aluminum instead since that has a much lower melting point? Thanks!
LOL... True that. My GF hovered over the time line till she could see more of him and FF to that spot. Thankfully I'm not a jealous guy. Beauty is beauty. He should cast his face. LOL
I have a question. Is there a reason you dont add a small channel to the ring before adding the second half and cutting it out instead? does it make it easier? Or is this just personal preference? I know nothing about the craft and I am very interested in trying this out for a new hobby :) . Also hope to see more videos thank you for the content ^_^
Nice video, I like seeing the whole process beginning to end. Nice music too. My one concern is protecting your feet when using the torch to melt silver. Maybe some leather clogs to slip on?
A very small amount of metal does escape into the air holes but doesn't make it very far. It contributes to the "flashing" you have to clean up on the outside. I would say it has something to do with surface tension why it doesn't all shoot out. I've had a poorly cut mould with a small sprue hole eject a lot of metal down the air vents before, so its probably just a matter of making sure there isn't too much pressure in the mould.
So I think you're supposed to use talcum powder but I'm lazy and I used actual baby powder haha. Works fine for me. Not sure if the modern additives negatively affect the sand or make the fumes more toxic though so I'd recommend ordering talc and will probably do the same at some point. I will say the squeeze bottle is super nice to use... :)
I use MAP gas with a torch head that's rated for MAP gas. I hear butane works but the price difference is negligible and MAP burns hotter... so it saves time. Also I think makes a bigger difference if you want to melt anything with a hotter melting point like copper.
Nice ring! Can you explain what "conversion" you used, to calculate how much silver you needed? I didn't grasp it in the video too well! Also, what kind of compound did you use to polish it? Thanks.
Hey sorry for the late reply. I saw it in someone else's video. You can find a calculator like this one www.unitedpmr.com/calculators/casting-weight-calculator/ and find out how much silver you would need to make up the same volume as wax. Then double it so that there's enough to fill up the sprue and so that it doesn't cool down too much on its way down.
That was Petrobond sand but I since have switched to Delft Clay and I really recommend it! Worth the price difference because it lasts so long and makes your life so much easier
To answer your question as to what would happen if you don't make air vents, it wouldn't fill the mold. Since air and metal can't exist in the same space and the air has no way to escape the metal kind of sits on top of the air and doesn't flow into the part that you actually want formed
This is Petrobond sand but i've since switched to Delft Clay! if you're willing to pay double for the initial investment in the sand I would recommend Delft clay... will save you a lot of time and heartache
Great tutorial-thanks I’ve always had issues with rings not fully casting-your huge sprue channel is what I will do next time. If you add a flex shaft to your Dremel, it will make it so much easier for fine control.
Creativity is such an amazing gift. I love your presentation, I love the music, not everybody realizes Their own creativity and that’s such a waste. I love all kinds of crafts, I love silversmithing, I love Sam casting, I love watercolor painting, I love alcohol ink painting, it’s just so nice to see people who are also embrace their true self.
Love this simple casting Video. I think it will make people want to try it because it’s not easy but if you just put a little time and you can make some nice castings. I had purchased some wax rings already formed for casting, but I’ve never use them because I wasn’t quite sure how I should do it. Thank you so much God bless and have a happy holiday
Thankyou for your tutorial! Im going to try this one day! Can you please tell me where you get the cylinder and nozzle from? Is it butane gas? I live in Aussie...i like the idea of that small cylinder. Im silversmithing just using small butane torches.
Hey! You’re very welcome. :) I’m using this: www.acehardware.com/departments/tools/welding-and-soldering-tools/welding-accessories/2197408 I just picked it up at my local hardware store here in California. MAP gas is I think one of the hotter burning gasses that comes in a can. You should be able to get it in a hardware store in AUS. Make sure the torch you get is made for MAP gas as I understand some that are made for butane or propane can’t stand up to the heat!
Get at it! Super fun. Btw I messed up like 10+ mounds and had to start over before I made anything right, and I still mess up a lot, so push through that initial learning stage and keep at it!
Hey! I’m pretty new to this and am not really sure but I did not pickle it. I think that is mostly necessary after soldering which I did not do here. I just buffed it out with some polishing compound to get to a mirror finish. However since this video I made a blackening solution using baking soda and sulfur, then polished to flat surfaces! If gave it a pretty cool look! I’ll make a video on that soon I think.I’ll try and remember to let you know when I learn about pickling :)
Hi, thanks so much for this video and answering my question :). My only other question would be how do you get rid of the extra metal from the sprue after sawing it? I only have a flex shaft, would I just file it down with sticks or is there something I could put on my flex shaft? @@landcraftworks
