My first Vacuum Assisted Jewelry scale Bronze Pour.

[metalicmario]

I'm glad you posted this so I could see how this worked. Question. How in the world does the one side pull the metal into the flask? I'm looking at buying a vacuum investment and casting machine so that I can make jewelry from my refined metals (on my channel). I understand how the vacuum can pull the air out of your flasks when you are drawing the air out because of the bell jar. But how does the molten metal get pulled in without there being a bell jar? Is the investment just that porous?

[incubusaries]

@metalicmario

You're right the investment is porous, allowing the vacuum to pull through it. There is a half inch of headroom on the bottom side of the flask (where the vacuum pulls). However to keep it from just pulling at the bottom, you use wax webbing around the inside of the flask (keeping it 1" from the pour cup side). This creates channels along the outside of the investment for the vacuum to get all the way up so it can pull the air through the investment from the sides and bottom.

[metalicmario]

You're better off melting in a crucible and pouring it that way. Much more control that way opposed to trying to align a fixed position. I'm sure you've noticed that when you pour your melt from that high some of it splashes all over the place. Not only dangerous but a waste. Can you imagine doing that with gold? Melting with a crucible you can get right up on the cavity opening before you pour it. Check out my silver shooting video. That is 11.5 ounce going through a 4mm opening.

[incubusaries]

@metalicmario

I agree that "The Assistant" is a waste of material versus a standard crucible. It takes too much time to align, has to be adjusted for every flask, and has high splash rate (and tends to lock material in it). I pretty much am lucky I was just using Bronze, you are right, with gold I'd be furious.

[incubusaries]

@metalicmario

Also, I honestly enjoyed the process, but haven't found use for it in the long run (I got a new job in IT and haven't had time for this anymore). So I have all my old equipment I'm looking to sell off if you are interested. I used it for just a few months.

[metalicmario]

@incubusaries Ha. Didn't even see this post before writing that other long winded response. I would absolutely be interested in your equipment. PM me. Thanks

[rosyfreitas]

After watching your movies I decided that I'm going to buy a centrifugal casting machine, a Neycraft Spincaster to be more precise. Call me a coward, but I'm going the easy way...

Besides, I've got a small studio, jewelry is just a hobby for me. I appreciate your reply and hope you can master your Vacuum casting soon!

Best regards.

[rosyfreitas]

I'd like to know how's your second try!

[incubusaries]

@rosyfreitas The second cast actually went way worse. I switched over to a rosebud tip for the OA setup, and just slagged the bronze. I ended up ruining a crucible trying it with that tip. Switched back the the 1 tip and worked beautifully for my 6 flask, 35 piece pour.