RockingRuralMo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2022
Posts: 137
|
Post by RockingRuralMo on Dec 27, 2023 9:28:57 GMT -5
Hi All!
There's a dental casting machine for sale near me with a cabinet for $275. I've not gotten into any silver work yet, but had been thinking about it for some time because I need to find a way to finish out my stones. I'd sort of planned on a different route until this thing came up for sale in my back yard, but the plain bezels I'd planned to make are very forgettable compared to what I could cast.
Is casting a good way to get started in metalsmithing? I've got access to a mini mill (and a whole precision machine shop for that matter) through family, so I could make some molds.
I'm not sure I'll ever be a jewelry artist per se, but would like to optimize the value of my nicer cabs. I like making free-forms most, and was envisioning something semi-modular like a tree with branches, or a hand with fingers that I could wrap around a variety of styles. Is casting a practical way to do this?
|
|
|
|
Post by opalpyrexia on Dec 27, 2023 13:14:53 GMT -5
I would normally recommend focusing on basic fabrication to get started in metalsmithing, meaning hand tools and torch soldering. But casting presents opportunity for sculpted designs that can't be fabricated. One the orther hand, casting can be difficult to reproduce some fabrication designs, e.g., backplates or thin elements.
Are you thinking of making metal molds to produce wax models? Jewelry casting is typically done by encasing a wax model in casting plaster in a flask ("can"), burning out the wax in a kiln, and then casting with metal. You'll need a casting torch with O2 and fuel gas anyway, so why not get a smaller jewelry torch and learn some basic fabrication?
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059 
|
Post by gemfeller on Dec 27, 2023 15:01:04 GMT -5
I agree with opalpyrexia and would add that casting can be very rewarding, especially if one learns to work wax to make unique one-off designs. A book I'd recommend is "Modeling in Wax for Jewelry and Sculpture" by Lawrence Kallenberg. As with nearly everything related to the gem and jewelry crafts, there's a learning curve. BTW I have 3 casting machines for sale if anyone's interested: 2 centrifugal and one brand new vacuum system. Also 2 burn-out ovens. I'm retiring from casting: no practical way to do burn-outs in my new shop for lack of ventilation. |
|
gunsil
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2023
Posts: 345
|
Post by gunsil on Dec 27, 2023 16:46:07 GMT -5
To me casting is waxsmithing, not metal smithing. Smithing literally means hammering and forming metal. Actually silversmithing refers to those who make silverware as in plates, cups, teapots, etc. Jewelers are technically goldsmiths even if they work in silver. I make a lot of hand made jewelry, mostly silver and some gold. I find working metal much more satisfying than making wax models and let the casting machine make the jewelry. A dental casting machine may not be large enough to make larger items as belt buckles or bracelets.
|
|
yurii
starting to shine!
Member since March 2023
Posts: 43
|
Post by yurii on Jan 28, 2024 5:59:35 GMT -5
Hello everyone! I want to express my opinion about casting. A small centrifugal machine for $275 is a good start. But keep in mind that it will require an addition - a vacuum pump, a muffle furnace for annealing, a vibrating table for flasks, a burner for melting metal and some other tools. I use a propane-oxygen torch for melting. He melted up to 400 grams of silver for her. But it requires oxygen and propane cylinders with reducers. If you have a small foundry machine (up to 50-80 grams), then you will burn with a powerful gas or gasoline burner. In any case, oxygen is preferable, but safety rules must be strictly followed. Casting will give you freedom in choosing the shapes of your products. It is not necessary to focus only on casting - you can combine casting, forging, soldering and other techniques. I made my first products exclusively by hand until I learned that there is model wax. After this discovery, I devote most of my time to jewelry making. The easiest way to start making jewelry is to make jewelry by hand. This will also require certain financial costs. But at least you can decide whether you like this activity. If you are interested in any details about casting, I will be happy to answer you.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Jan 28, 2024 14:52:19 GMT -5
If what you want to do isn't overly intricate, or you want to cast a base that you then solder the smaller stuff to, also consider sand casting. A fellow in Tucson who makes some neat jewelry tools has made some gear for sand casting non ferrous metals for jewelry, found him in a jewelers group on FB and I can look up his etsy if there's interest. With sand you use patterns that are reusable, great for things you plan to make many of and eliminates the need to do burn outs and whatnot. He has developed a casting sand that appears to work well. Of course your designs are very limited in order to be able to use patterns, but all the tools needed are a fraction of what you need for lost wax, it would all fit in a silverware drawer when not in use.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Jan 28, 2024 15:00:29 GMT -5
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059
|
Post by gemfeller on Jan 30, 2024 21:42:48 GMT -5
RockingRuralMo How adventurous are you?? This is a gold ring that was one of my first castings. My machine? A home-made steam caster that involved an old jar lid, a broomstick, a Campbells's soup can, a pre-made wax model, a flower pot, aluminum foil, an eletric one-burner heater and a few other odds and ends.  It involved a bit of do-it-yourself work but it was fun and I learned a whole lot about the principles involved in metal casting. I later built a makeshift vacuum caster out of an old refrigerator pump and used a heavy glass jar as a bell jar to invest and cast many gold and silver items. I finally was able to afford a real centrifugal caster and vacuum table but learned a whole lot from my early Rube Goldberg devices. If anyone would like to give it a try here are some detailed instructions from a very experienced and knowledgeable expert: www.myheap.com/casting-molding/my-heap-mold-book/chapter-10-steam-casting/steam-casting-lessons.html?showall=1&limitstart=
|
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Jan 31, 2024 11:25:20 GMT -5
gemfeller steam casting is one of those things I would like to try, just need to get the shop area put together for it. In my spare time...
|
|
|
|
Post by 1dave on Jan 31, 2024 11:43:39 GMT -5
|
|
