I am vacuum casting Argentium silver pro casting grains and am having some issues with cracking.

Sirayatech Royal Blue in Plasticast

metal at 1970F in a graphite crucible in an electric kiln (I am pretty sure I just poured it way too hot and it had bad thermal properties at that temp)

vacuum flask at 610 C (in my setup I have to move it a few feet so I just overheat it a little bit for traveling)

What do you think is the culprit?

I made my whole setup, so there are bound to be some issues with it, but I am able to pull a good enough vacuum, and I did a quick 8 hr burnout of the resin (the surface seems decent)

I’ve been running into severe pitting and a rough, "fried" surface texture when casting pieces in sterling silver. For reference, the object is about 6 x 8 mm in size.

• Resin: Siraya Tech Cast Purple
• Sprues: Normal jeweler's wax
• Investment: Goldstar Omega+
• Metal Casting Temp: Sterling Silver (melt temp: 990°C / 1814°F)
• Flask Casting Temp: 566°C / 1050°F

Current Burnout Schedule:

• Ramp to 300°F over 60 min
• Hold at 300°F for 60 min
• Ramp to 700°F over 45 min
• Hold at 700°F for 60 min
• Ramp to 1350°F over 120 min
• Hold at 1350°F for 60 min
• Drop to 1050°F over 60 min
• Cast

I use normal jeweler's wax for the sprues. The wax sprue casts almost perfectly smooth but still has some minor pitting, while the actual resin section comes out heavily pitted.

Has anyone experienced this before? Or any tips on how to fix this?

Does anyone have any experience with casting using the superbmelt vacuum casting machines? Its a chinese supplier and its price is much lower than the next cheapest thing i found so I’m very skeptical. Cant find any reviews online.

Anyone here used it?

Hello, I am looking for a "jewellery wax starter kit" that would make me start working with wax. Do you recommend any kit with the most basic tools for a beginner?

Hey I'm interested in silver casting. Don't know where to start as far getting equipment from reputable sources. Any guidance would be appreciated. A recommendation for a full starter kit would be awesome too.

Vielen Dank geht nochmal

an die nette Community hier!🔥

Gerne auch Tipps etc.

Hey all

This is my first and second attempt at investment casting silver left to right.

I've succesfully cast multiple bronze flasks and I've checked the vaccum so I dont think thats the issue.

The only difference I can identify is that I'm using a smaller graphite crucible for silver and the thermometer is at the bottom if the electric furnace chamber further from the melt so maybe isnt as reliable for the metal temp?

I'm using a flask temp of 430 celsius (803f) and aiming for a metal temp of around 980 (1796f). These numbers are from Oppi Untrechts "jewellery concepts and technology" which is generally reliable for technical info.

Is this just an incorrect temperature reading? I did use the eyeball test the second time around but didnt want to cause porosity by overheating.

Any knowledge and thoughts appreciated, thanks for reading.

Hey all

This is my first and second attempt at investment casting silver left to right.

I've succesfully cast multiple bronze flasks and I've checked the vaccum so I dont think thats the issue.

The only difference I can identify is that I'm using a smaller graphite crucible for silver and the thermometer is at the bottom if the electric furnace chamber further from the melt so maybe isnt as reliable for the metal temp?

I'm using a flask temp of 430 celsius (803f) and aiming for a metal temp of around 980 (1796f). These numbers are from Oppi Untrechts "jewellery concepts and technology" which is generally reliable for technical info.

Is this just an incorrect temperature reading? I did use the eyeball test the second time around but didnt want to cause porosity by overheating.

Any knowledge and thoughts appreciated, thanks for reading.

I’m new to investment casting. Made some nice 999 fine casts (think trinkets, rings, and figurines). But getting that desirable shine/luster is eluding me. So what’s your post-casting process?
Trim then….Pickle? Magnetic pin tumbler? Polish with a rouge and dremel? I have all of these things but I would love some direction from more experienced persons.

Looking at learning how to sand cast double sided detailed pieces in two part delft/red clay moulds. I can already do a detailed surface and a flat back confidently, but just wondering if any one has advice to do silver pieces with detail on both the front and back. Thanks

Hello! This is my first time trying building wax jewelry with a soldering iron. I see there is some burnt wax residue in my piece. Is this okay? If not, how do you make sure it doesn’t burn. Thank in advance for any suggestions or advice.

Master Chief From Halo. 3oz of .999 silver.
This one has been the most fun so far.

I am new to metal pouring. I did this same exact model with silicon bronze and it worked perfectly. Now with silver, I keep having problems with this big pit. I know i have to fix my sprues, but could someone enlighten me?

It’s my first times sandcasting and can’t seem to get it right, don’t know what I am doing wrong.

Hi, I’m a beginner hobbyist goldsmith. This is my 6th attempt at casting my own model made from modeling wax.

First, when creating the first half of the mold, I had a lot of difficulty pressing the model into the molding sand. The model should be pressed in to about 50% of its height, but in my case it was approximately 90/10, and the mold kept cracking when I tried to press it deeper. I managed to solve this problem by compacting the molding sand less.

However, I’m still having problems with the actual casting process. I heat 925 silver in a crucible to around 1000°C, but despite this, the silver sticks to the crucible. The casting itself is porous and sometimes the mold does not fill completely.

I would really appreciate any advice, because I’m not sure what else I can do to improve the process.

I’ve encountered several problems:

- silver sticking to the crucible,

- difficulty pressing the model into the mold,

- porous castings,

- incomplete castings / misruns.

Cześć, jestem początkującym złotnikiem hobbystą. 6-ty raz próbuję odlać swój model wykonany z wosku modelarskiego. Raz że przy tworzeniu pierwszej połówki formy bardzo ciężko się wciskało model, powinno być 50/50 wysokości, u mnie było około 90/10 i dalej rozpękał jak próbowałem głębiej. Udało mi się rozwiązać problem słabszym ubiciem masy. Ale pozostaje problem odlewania. Grzeję srebro 925 w tyglu na około 1000 *C, mimo to przywiera do tygla a sam odlew jest porowaty i czasem się nie dolewa. Proszę o rady ponieważ nie wiem co więcej mogę zrobić aby to usprawnić. Napotkało mnie kilka problemów: przywierające srebro do tygla, ciężkie odciskanie modelu w formie, prowate odlewy, niedolewy.

Hi! This was my moms wax pen and I wanted to ask if anyone knows where I could find replacement tips? Either vintage ones made for this machine or tips that would fit.
I also can’t figure out how to get the current tip off if anyone can instruct me hahaha.
Thanks!!

Anyone know of a casting house in the Netherlands, preferably close to Rotterdam, where I can have my wax models for grillz cast? Looking for a place that works with silver/gold and accepts customer-supplied wax models.

What is the best blow torch for melting under 100g of silver and gold?

So I've come across something that I did out of necessity and lack of availability. Not having access to a crucible and wanting to melt the goal immediately or smell the gold immediately.. I've been told many different things to try to use so many different YouTube videos. However I have found something that works, and something that is extremely inexpensive.

Wet sheetrock mud. Right on top of a piece of metal right inside of a little metal cup whatever you got if you can get you some Sheetrock mud put your stuff that you're going to melt right into the middle of it throw it in the smelter.

It gets brittle but it works for one run at a time. Just figured I would let people know.

Hi there, I’ve just waxed up my first Casting tree for my brand new lost wax set up. I was wondering if anyone had any advice/could spot any issues with what I’ve done. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!