HI Kim, Never use plaster. It can pop when you apply heat to it. Use the casting investment. Glad you enjoyed the video. I'm glad that I can help you expand your creative options for afar. Thanks for your continued support! : )
You're awesome and this is fantastic! 👍 ♥️ However; Aye-ya-ya!, I'm discovering I've fallen in love with an expensive hobby. 😄 I see your wonderful video tutorials and I want to try them ALL! My credit card and I thank you for sharing all these cool projects! 😊
I'm glad that you're enjoying the videos. I've tried my best to show the cheapest ways to approach various techniques. But making jewelry can be expensive. Thanks for watching! 😀
Hi John, this is really inspiring, I love your videos, I learn a lot here! I am sorry I did not get the name of the rotatory surface on which you placed the investment mold.
Hi MissNana 1969, I use a lazy susan attached to the bottom of my piece of kiln shelf to be able to easily move my mold. Being able to turn the piece makes it easier to apply heat to all surfaces contained within the mold. You can find a lazy susan base online or at most hardware stores. Thanks for your support! : )
What a good idea! I make investment moulds for glass pate de verre, but it's never once occurred to me to fuse silver in one. Of course it will be possible to create other shapes using clay or plasticine instead of a ball. Thanks for the inspiration, I always find your tutorials useful and entertaining! (Now to Google to find out what a 'crap shoot' is. I'm English.....)
Hi Sleepychamaeleon, I'm so happy that the video refreshed your ideas about how to use a material that you are well acquainted with. A "crap shoot" just means that you have to hope for the best and can't anticipate a positive result. Thanks for your support! : )
Hi RU-videe, Yes! This same idea will work with any sort of fireproof material that can support the weight of the metal. Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for your support! : )
The OJA isn't set up to do one-on-one training at this time. However, if you send me a message through the OJA website describing your issue, I'll do the best I can to send you a reply. Thanks for your support! : )
Neither a steel dapping block nor plaster will work for this process. As I showed in the video, you need to use investment for casting to perform this technique. 😀
Great technique, John - Thanks! And now I'm not afraid of investment any more, either - and know what it's for. How does it differ from plaster of Paris? I have a question about your ventilation, too. Short of having an expensive system installed in the house (which I can't do anyways, since I'm in an apartment), how do you get the fumes and so on to actually exit that pipe/hose? Do you attach a small fan at the other end that draws it all out? Do you hang it out a window, or what?
Hi Wendy, I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. Please be sure to check out our casting video to see how investment is used in the lost wax process. You'll find it on the OJA website under field trips. Investment differs from plaster in that it can be subjected to high temperatures without popping or breaking down. Of course it has to be handled properly. You'll learn more about that process by watching the video. The OJA does have a video on its website under the safety heading that covers the basics on how to make your own ventilation system. It's pretty simple. And the video is quite funny. Thanks for your support! : )
I like this idea. What do you mean by "investment". Is it plaster if some kind? Will the mold work for melting the silver scrap down completely for hammering, milling, etc?
The material used in the video is investment for casting. It's sold by all jewelry suppliers. It's what molds for lost wax casting are made from. Check out the OJA's video on industrial casting practices under the field trips section on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com. I would not recommend using this type of material for melting scrap. You need a crucible with a handle so that you can cast an ingot in a hot mold. Thanks for your support! : )
I have viewed youtube videos from India, where they do this technique. They use some sort of black wax to arrange and set individual pieces on (2d and 3d shapes) to create the initial form, and then pour the plaster over it, which then binds to the pieces, wax is discarded, and then is torch fired all together. pretty genius! Would anyone know what type of black wax or an alternative to use for this method?
Here's a link to an OJA video on the type of wax you're describing: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com/microcrystalline-wax-video.html They are probably covering the form with casting investment, not plaster. 😀
Oh I know what you're talking about That's a plasticine clay, commonly called molding clay. I actually asked one of the guys what he uses, very helpful.
@@OnlineJewelryAcademyif you haven't seen them look up manglestra design videos. It's a very cool technique similar to what you're doing in this video.
