Small scale foundry

PaulNK - Monday, May 21, 2007 - 7:02pm

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

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Small scale casting

B.J. Severtson - Monday, May 21, 2007 - 10:08pm

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

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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....
While also writing the codes for star functions and ways the system of the universe works and ways hereditary got the rest of us to this time...
Why not pour a little bronze and be successful?
NO?

Right?
Got a deal on EBay and it sounds like you could do it.
WELL ACTUALLY YOU CAN.
But back up
take a deep breath and have another beer, toke, or multi vitamin.
Check out the SEARCH ENGINES and start from scratch.
Metal casting is not a real mystery with the whole gulf of the web at your finger tips. And it is all here on the Artmetal Search sites.

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.
bpfink

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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

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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

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