Thread: Casting Scales from Silver Gold Brass etc.

Keep up the great pics with the story, the only ting I cast is lead and then send it down range between 950 and 2800 fps.

That shape looks to be about the equivalent of 4+ ounces of sterling silver. If you do try it you will need a long flask to pull it off. or other extra special precautions.

Borrow a copy of Shar Choate's "Creative Gold-and Silversmithing, Jewelry, Decorative Metalcraft" book from your library. It was the book of choice when I was an undergrad with Art Metals as a professed major.
One Source on line:Abe books or other suppliers.
It was, and still is, a great book for anyone restoring razors or getting fancy with metals.
There are many techniques in it and "Lost Wax Casting" is only of the useful ones.
Have fun anyway!
~Richard

Originally Posted by epd

Very cool, I guess you cast that into clay, gypsum or ? Then pour the silver to take the place of the wax?
Im very intersted, I have a 150 grams of silver to play with..
Please keep us posted!
Eric

I'm learning the process as I go and haven't got that far but I understand that is how it works.

I'm sure Sharpton will be around soon to show off his silver scales.

Looking good. You know how you learn stuff and say "Darn, next time i will...." ?
Well - perhaps the easier way to end up with the one piece would be to make seperate scales and wedge, then "weld" them together when ready. makes it easier to do the inside finish work and to get the correct wedge taper..
Just a thought.
Adam

Originally Posted by 32t

Have you thought about aluminium?

I can see not getting to fancy with your experiment but without some sort of artwork I think that it is making it harder than it has to be to cast plain scales. With the amount of work to shape the wax you could already have a set from a sheet of metal.

Tim

Yes I have, but I'm not really interested in doing something that I know that I can do. More so learning something that I've never done.

This is just the first attempt and I'm sure if it works out I will make more intricate designs.

To be honest tho, it took longer to write the original post than it did to get the wax shaped. I had maybe 45 minutes of work into this.

Just pushing the envelope. That's all.

Originally Posted by Adam G.

Well - perhaps the easier way to end up with the one piece would be to make seperate scales and wedge, then "weld" them together when ready. makes it easier to do the inside finish work and to get the correct wedge taper..
Just a thought.
Adam

I don't doubt it. If it is not working out I can always finish sawing through the casting and just make a traditional wedge and pin it like normal.

Originally Posted by Geezer

That shape looks to be about the equivalent of 4+ ounces of sterling silver. If you do try it you will need a long flask to pull it off. or other extra special precautions.

The guy with the casting stuff thought it would be about 2 ounces. And we were going to fabricate a flask out of a stainless tube I think. I wouldn't doubt it would take 4.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Will the silver scales affect the balance of the razor ?

Probably. But there are ways to make it lighter. I'm not good enough to tell the difference tho.

Originally Posted by epd

Very cool, I guess you cast that into clay, gypsum or ? Then pour the silver to take the place of the wax?
Im very intersted, I have a 150 grams of silver to play with..
Please keep us posted!
Eric

Don't pour silver directly into the wax. It will blow up! I worked with a guy that couldn't smell very well. He poured aluminium into a wet mold and it blew molten metal up his nose.

Here is the best video that I found of what what you can do at home. He has a few more toys than necessary but it gives you a good idea of what is needed. The vacuum table that he uses for his investment is also good for pouring larger molds.

Lost Wax Jewelry Casting Process Celtic Jewelry Walker Metalsmiths - YouTube

If you have more time here is a commercial operation.

Investment Casting Process - Lost Wax Casting - YouTube