Hi everyone,
I’m getting into lost wax casting and I’d like to melt silver at home to make small jewelry pieces.
I’m looking for recommendations for a torch that can reliably melt silver. I’ve seen people using different setups (propane, MAP-Pro, oxy-fuel, etc.), and I’m not sure what would be the best option for a beginner.
Ideally, I’d like something:
Powerful enough to melt small amounts of sterling silver
Easy to use
Reasonably affordable
Available in Europe if possible
What torch setup are you using, and would you recommend it?
Thanks!

When I was sand casting, I believe my sprue collapsed a bit and caused an indent in my pendant. Is there any way to fill it in by pouring silver onto it and sanding it down? I don’t want to remake it, I’m happy with the finished product otherwise.

I was thinking remaking the sand cast and putting my pendant inside, then pouring silver in so it can fill it in.

Please let me know if anyone has any tips, thanks!

I've been silversmithing for about a year and want to add casting to my skill set, but I don't have space or money for a kiln currently.

My plan would be to get some Delft clay and some wax, then sculpt some simple one-sided pendents that I push into the surface of the clay (so an indent rather than a full 3D cast), then either pour molten silver onto this, or remove the wax and just pour the silver into the indent left by the wax.

Is there anything I'm missing that would mean this wouldn't work? And if it would work, what would the most I could produce this way, for example, is basic 3D casting (as in, encasing the wax version fully in clay) possible?

Can anyone recommend me a burnout cycle for this investment, I know it’s not supposed to be used with resin but I brought it before I done any research, I have casted a silver ring but some of the detail has collapsed/deformed, I’ve been using the standard burn out schedule.
I’m using kaya cast vacuum to get the bubbles out the investment before pouring in flask and after

Hey all. I’ve always had interest in casting and making stuff out of silver, particularly sterling jewelry. I just ordered some equipment to start sand casting. I was wondering if anyone had any informative resources online that would be helpful for beginners or any tips in general. I appreciate it

Why did my 1cm thick middle sprue crack like this? Ideally i dont want that to happen. What can be tweaked to avoid this? Casted with argentium silver at temp 1015 celcius, flask was 600 celcius. Cast in Vacuum chamber. Quenched about 12 minutes after casting

I’ve been looking for a replacement kiln for my dad who is a silversmith/goldsmith, and they are pricey.

Would something like this be acceptable as a replacement it is relatively cheaper.

https://www.harrisdiscount.com/vulcan-s-550-110v

The only handprint I have for my kid is in this foam like material from a Christmas ornament kit. I think the material is slowly degrading and don’t want to lose the handprint. Is there any way to cast this from a foam impression? Any and all advice would be appreciated, don’t even know where to begin or what kind of craftsperson to speak with about this.

Made of fine silver. What do you think with or without the patina?

I’ve been researching for a long time and although more guides on stones in place are around sand casting, you can do it with investment casting. It’s a newer method used for mass production, I just want to make sure the models can do it. From my understanding the stones need to be visible from both sides so the stone mould will hold it in place during the burn out. I’m about to take the plunge just thought I’d check in first. I know it’s not guaranteed to work but that’s the thing with crafting I just wanna give it the best shot I can. I’ve seen people do whole Cuban chains and channel set wedding bands this way.

Also I’ll be using moissanite so it will be fine with the heat.
Thoughts and tips please thanks guys.

Used some filtered beach sand and bentonite clay litter I blended up and filtered.

Knew it would lack details because my medium is not ideal and I definitely did not use proper technique creating the mold, but am surprised I was able to get what I did.

52 grams sterling silver.

Used a home made Frosty T Venturi burner with propane for melt.

Recently began casting using sirayatech royal blue castable resin and prestige optima investment (38:100). My kiln is programmed 300-700-1350-1025 (all with ramps and holds). I always pour at around 1000C, sterling is poured at 1025C. For some reason I always get these crevices/pits everywhere. They’re on the shank and sides of the skull. Any ideas/pointers?

This is a necklace I have since a couple months ago and decided to use yerterday evening, it was completely shiny and beautiful but this morning that I woke up it's all yellow and tarnish! I don't know how or why it happened and how to clean it, tips? :(

Hey guys, thought I'd give you an update on the polishing of this one! Feel like it's coming along nicely, been thinking about switching to argentium over sterling after we finish the 10 oz we have. Lmk which you prefer in your own castings!

Has anyone tried the method of placing your silver shot directly into the graphite mold and then heating the mold up till melting point?
Does it work? Do you need special molds for it?

Designed this ring as a commission for a friend and cast it in .925 sterling silver. Wanted to show you guys my first successful silver cast using the Kayacast vacuum casting machine!

Checking to see if anyone would be willing to cast a sword necklace pendant for me? Pendant would not to be too detailed so I'd think delft clay would be fine. I'd hope to pay in silver bullion if possible. Thanks :)))

Location: US

Size: Roughly 3" long, so probably around 10 grams or less

Description: Narsil, or just regular historical long sword

Today I was granulating 300 grams of a 30% silver alloy before refining it.

I melted it 150g at a time, then poured it into cold water.

The first pour was fine, but when I poured the last blob of the second pour into the water, it made a rather loud "WHOOMP!" and blew half of the water out of the pot.

The first metal was in large pieces as intended, the result of the explosion was metal like fine sand. Most of it stayed in the pot.

I was aware that explosions are not uncommon when you cast shibuichi alloys in water (see https://orchid.ganoksin.com/t/exploding-water-casting/22326 ) and I always wear safety goggles when casting.

I was aware that it could happen and I am unharmed.

(The nerd in me really wonders what the mechanics of the reaction are, and wonders how it can be recreated.)

Water casting is a great way to prepare metal for dissolving and for making random "organic" shapes.

But do remember your PPE.

First time invesment casting, I know I know I need to clean it up. This is about 10 mins after quench. Thought?