Hello Will,

Thanks for the welcome , I will post some swords/ Knives and fittings soon.
Regards . James By the way , I am looking for some casting bronze , I need it for small sword fittings . what kind should I buy ? there are so many types if some one has some for sale I would be interseted . contact me at berryman@socket.net or pm me .

Thanks Rick I appreciate . I have all the equipent I need . was just purchased . I have burn out kiln Neycraft and cetrafuge , and all accesories . I primarily want to cast japanese sword parts . Menuki , fuchi / kashira ,Habaki, tsuba .I posted some of my handwork in the knife forum . Thanks for your help . I have several books on the subject and I understand the basics , I just dont have any practical experience. Thanks for your help James

Yes stephen , I studied in japan . I lived in Yokosuka for 11 years on and off while serving in Vietnam . I mainly studied and was trained in traditional swordsmithing. For a while because of Japanese tradition , thats all I knew how to do was forge blades , had to learn how to make fittings and do my own polishing/ sayashi on my own. regards ...... James

Thank you for welcome I certainly appreciate it , Not sure how to post attachments , this site is a little different from what I am used to ! best regards James

Menukisome things I makeThanks Rich , I have a few books "lost wax casting by Murray Bovin and "practical casting a studio reference By Tim McCreight. I already have my centrifuge mounted in large wastub . I will buy some Kerr Satin cast , does Rio Grande carry it ? I also need some wax . I have an electric Injectomatic 2 wax extruder/ melter. I know I need some more tools , I am working on it . thanks for your advice . the 1st image is abstract of man with turban made from shibuichi , the 2nd image is a fine silver tsuba , the 3rd is tsuba made from shibuichi as is the last tsuba also made from shibu with a little gold added , the fuchi / kashira is shakudo in the pine needle pattern , I also make different menuki . regards James PS sorry I posted these images in the furniture gallery ! japanese fittings are commonly called "furniture" you may move to a more suitable location

Nice looking sword furniture, James! You might want to get some good hard carving wax and make a few small tools (similar to dental tools) for carving it. You can get very exact details that way. The casting books you have should do you fine.

I don't know if Rio Grande carries Satin Cast or not. Probably. If not, try Santa Fe Jeweler's Supply.

Rich

Looking for some good bronze suitable for casting , I really dont know what kind to purchase as , there are so many types its really confusing ???? A jeweler friend of mind says: make sure no berylium , I do know its quite toxic. If anyone has some stock to sell I would be interested Thanks ...... James you may contact me at Berryman@socket.net or leave me PM

James,

I generally recommend silicon bronze for casting, since it is just copper and silicon and has no heavy metals. It is called "high silicon bronze", alloy C65500 or sometimes Everdur. One good source for it is Atlas Metals in Denver, CO., though there are other sources as well.

One very nice feature of the high silicon bronze is that it can be TIG welded and will show no weld discoloration. Makes it easy to repair any small defects without any visible indication of a weld or repair.

Hello. Have you had any luck casting shakudo alloy? I am interested in casting some fittings, but have heard that it is, like copper, very difficult to cast.