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Small scale foundry
PaulNK -
Monday, May 21, 2007 - 7:02pm
Casting Hi Guys, This is my first post here so here it goes I am considering buying the necessary equipment to cast small scale sculptures 6-8 inches high so I'm thinking I can get by with jewellers equipment strictly 120V equipment pls correct me if I am wrong. So would I be correct to say I can cast a bronze 6-8inchers high under 3lbs with the following items : - burn out oven/kiln tabletop - torch - gold melter 3kg capacity - ceramic shell investment - chasing equipment dremel etc - proper safety attire PLease advise Thanks  Oh my
visitor -
Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 4:51pm
After thousands or hundreds of years of super cool guys being alchemists, mathematitions, and or out of sink thinkers with other hangups that lead them to our historical gains while trying to figure out how functions are done.... Right? But read deeper and don't spark up the torch until you can spare a few weeks or months of discovery firsthand. It is a great way to play and evolve but don't get discouraged from a few whims of enlightenment until you really get to see the light at the end of the crucible. W are ere to ask more. but check us out more first as there is more that will tingle your whims to be found first. Keep in touch. (and wear gloves.) It is wonderful when it works right but super discouraging when you only get funk. » reply Where there is a will there
PaulNK -
Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 6:13pm
Where there is a will there is a way and I am definitely going through with the above operation .... since I have your vote of confidence I have got one more question would it be safe for me to use ceramic shell investment to cast small highly detailed figurines with thin limbs (the piece measures 6 to 8 inches in height) without compromising their integrity » reply  Small figurine home casting process
cognitdiss -
Saturday, June 27, 2009 - 11:32am
I just realized that this thread is out of date, but since I got to writing I think I'll post this anyways.... I hope things have been working out for you! For your size model and unknown but probably relatively small quantities I would have thought that perhaps a vacuum casting setup might have been a good option. Expense is similar to shell setup but more on equipment side, less on consumables and space side, a ratio I prefer. You can have a wax bench, moldmaking bench, small autoclave/dewax pot, mid-size kiln, vaccuum casting machinery and small furnace, finishing bench w/ multiple torches, and patina area, all set up in a 1 car garage in compact mode, 2 car garage in spacious mode. Bonus is vacuum for mold making, not to mention vent free, immaculately detailed and vent-free castings. Other bonus is no shell mixer and various tray or tray substitute schemes, and very fast turnaround- 24 hours from flask to cast is no problem. Either way, at this scale I would plan for steam dewaxing, it is non-odorous and reclaimed wax is high quality. Good for the neighbor factor too. And don't forget ventilation and dry fire extinguishers! - - Dave » reply Paul, I have been through
freshwatermodels -
Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 11:08am
Paul, I have been through what you propose and wish you luck. You can do it but the cost may be more then you think. It might be cheaper to have the item cast and the results will probably be better than your early efforts. I would probably opt for casting the items myself since I like to work on my schedule. Buy or build a small gas melt furnace. Safety attire is the most important and should be at the top of your list. Jack Mc Kie Spincasting in Britannia, Resin, Zinc-Aluminum, and Wax Scale models www.freshwatermodels.net » reply the pocket foundry
visitor -
Thursday, February 14, 2008 - 4:42pm
http://www.artmolds.com/ali/pdf/The_Pocket_Foundry.pdf the pocket foundry » reply How do you get in touch with
Ruteger -
Saturday, November 29, 2008 - 12:55am
How do you get in touch with this pocket foundry guy? I can't get the links to his site to work. Is he still viable? (alive?) Just wondering. Good article. Rut » reply |
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ArtMetal
Small scale casting
welcome aboard,
Most of the people that I've talked to that have tried similiar setups have been unhappy. Either the capacity of the equipment wasn't able to keep up with their production or their designs called for the ability to cast long thin shapes, they had trouble with the metal freezing. All three of these gentlemen were very happy when they found a caster to cast their pieces for them. They were then free to build excellent waxes. Just my observations. Most casters also offer mold making services and injection of your mold. Casters also know what little changes can be made to a wax to increase it's castability. Brad