Casting Related - DIY Castings

How to Use the Cast Vacuum System

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Submerging the Flask with 4.5 ounces of Sterling Silver

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Casting Pure Copper

I suggest jumping up to 5: because the first 5 mins are a bit boring. I need either a rose bud tip or a better torch as I'm pushing this one to the limits melting just over 3 ounces of copper.

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How to Blow Off Investment Quick

Casting investment can always stick to the casting trees so I made an inexpensive blast cabinet using a cheap garden hose and power washer and a big garbage can.

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Pouring Investment Into Flasks

Safely pouring the investment into the flasks carefully not to break the wax trees.

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Prepping the Flasks for Burnout

After the investment dried, I take the tape off and cut down the investment so its just below the flask edge. This ensures a good seal and better vacuum. I then smooth the edges of the pouring end so it reduces the chance of investment breaking off during the pouring.

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Making Investment

Using a one beater hand mixer to mix casting investment.

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Vacuuming the Investment in the Mixing Bowl

Using a cook pot vacuuming unit to removes the air from the investment.

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Vacuuming the Air from the Flasks

After the investment has poured in to the flask the sir needs to be removed before the investment dries. Remember to release vacuum first then turn off pump.

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Jewelry Investing Using a Cook Spot Style Casting System

Correction**- I recommend 1/2 inch thickness of investment from the top of the wax and top of investment.

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Casting Pewter

From wax to sand casting to toaster oven mold to pouring pewter. A simple process in making Jewelry.

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A Great Inexpensive Torch for Melting Sterling Silver and Gold

Since I sell sand casting tools people ask me my opinion on a torch to melt high temperature metals. My research has pointed in the direction of Benzomatic TS4000.

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Vacuum Casting with an Electro Melt

Pouring two ounces of sterling silver with an electro melt is awesome when casting alone.

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Pouring Molten Silver into Silicone Mold Rubber- Not Recommended

Silicone mold rubber will handle temperatures up to 850* F yet I'm asked "can silver, bronze, or gold with melting temperatures about 1700* F be poured into a rubber mold?" Although this was about 90% successful casting the mold was destroyed permanently. The fumes were awful so I strongly suggest not trying this without great ventilation system.

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Electro Melt Do's and Dont's

A short video with my recommendations when buying granite crucibles and using an Electro Melt.

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Video 1- Attaching the Waxes to the sprue bottoms

Using two injection waxes, I show a simple way to set up for investment casting. Flask size is two inches in diameter 2.5 inches in height. In video two I will cover investing.

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Video 2- Investing the 2 Flasks

In this video I show how to invest two small flasks using my new vacuum table / investing system. I have sped up the time to keep the video shorter but it is best to read the investment brand suggested mixing instructions and follow accordingly.

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Video 3- Prepping the two Flasks for Casting

I show how to remove the blue tape, scrape the extra investment off the top of each flask, remove the rubber bottomed smooth the edge. this can be an hour later but investment should set a minimum of two hours.

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Video 4- How to use the Steamer

In this video, I show how a single flask is put in the steamer with the wax sprue facing down. This only works with the injection waxes since steam has a maximum temperature of 212* F and most carving wax melts above 300*F. This takes 30 mins and then the flask should be put directly into the oven for burnout when using this design. Once removed from the steamer dry off the water from the outside and write any information on the flasks so you know what it is when pouring metal.

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Video 5- Casting the Skull Ring

I show how to use the Electro Melt to pour the sterling silver into the flask. Unfortunately, I did what was natural for me by pouring at my usual angle and blocking the camera. I will definitely do another pouring video with better camera position. Once poured and the vacuum released I set the flask on a safe surface to cool for about 7-10 minutes. Once cool it is ready to be submerged.

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Video 6- Submerging the Flask in Water

I show how to submerge the flask in a container of water. Many choose to do this outside because of the silica that is in the steam. I am doing it in my shop with my head away from the bucket. I just duck it until it stops bubbling. Once done it is time to clean off as much investment as possible before putting it into the ultra sonic and pickle for further cleaning.

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Casting with the New Vacuum System and a Propane Mini Oven

***Don't do this at home unless you understand the dangers of using propane indoors. Best done outside. Ventilation could be the difference between life and death due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Removing the flask from the oven and using a vacuum system to cast.

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Setup of the Flasks

How to prepare the injection waxes by attaching them to the sprue bases. This is how I do it. ***Also notice I included one X-One resin. While I know little about resin this type from BlueCast has actually worked on occasion so I am eager to try it again.

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Investing the Little Flasks

In this video I show you how I invest two flasks at a time. You’ll also notice just how quickly this micro size system draws out the air. It is nearly instant so it doesn’t take anywhere near as long as a normal system. The vacuum pump is just a Harbor Freight 3 CFM 2 stage as there is little need for anything stronger. I allow the flasks to harden a minimum of two hours but often will wait overnight if it is getting too late in the day.

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Flask Prep of the Tiny Flasks

In this video I show how to prepare the little flasks so they get the best vacuum during the casting process.

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Steaming the Flask

In this video I show how I use a food steamer to dewax the flask prior to burnout. It is a 30 minute process.

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Casting- Kitchen Stove Burnout

In this video, I actually used my wife’s new stove top for the burnout test. It took roughly 65 minutes because I fumbled around with the melting and getting the flask onto the vacuum unit. However, it poured well and in the next video I show it being submerged. This was an epic success!

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Submerging of the Flask after Casting

After using the tiny oven and the kitchen stove top for burnout this video shows the submerging of the flask to reveal the sterling silver casting. ***Don’t breathe in the steam, it contains silica. Outdoors is best when possible.

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The Dangers of Using Propane Indoors

A serious reminder on the dangers of using propane in an enclosed area. Propane cook stoves produce carbon monoxide which will definitely kill you or your pet if used indoors so be smart and make sure you only use it outdoors.

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Using a Propane Cook Stove with this Type of Burnout Accessory

* Make sure to always use a propane cook stove outside so you or a pet is not exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning. It can kill you!

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