Solution for removing investment from castings

Jewelry Discussion
1

Does anyone have any inexpensive formulas for speedy removal of
investment from recesses in castings in the ultrasonic? I know
there are commercial solutions available, but the ones I am aware
of are quite pricey.

Thanks.

Kenneth Gastineau
@Kenneth_Gastineau1
http://www.ud.net/gastineau

2

swest sells a devester by the gallon and i think its only about
10 bucks. you can use it over a few times. i use a baby food jar
on my ultasonic rack.

3

The only solution I use to remove investment, although not in
the ultrasonic, is hot-as-hel white vinegar. I boil it, put the
pieces in and let it sit for an hour or two. It usually does a
wonderful job, and takes the black off the silver surface. My
findings guy taught me that one!

Laura

4

Perhaps everyone also does this; I hold my completed tree
(designs down) between my first two fingers, just under the
button and with my heavier chasing hammer hit it repeatedly till
most of the investment falls off. It isn’t necessary to hit it
hard , just a lot …for about 3 minutes a tree. It works best
when it is dry and I usually do it outside over a bucket just to
keep the neighbours curious about the peculiar noises. This gets
rid of 90~95% for me. I appreciate the vinegar tip. I’ll try it
next time.
Darryl

5

Michael wrote:

swest sells a devester by the gallon and i think its only about
10 bucks. you can use it over a few times. i use a baby food jar
on my ultasonic rack.

Thank you Michael for your reply. The ultrasonic I am working
with is 13 qt. and would cost about $30 to fill with commercial
solutions. This is why I am looking for less expensive
alternatives.

Thanks.

Kenneth Gastineau
@Kenneth_Gastineau1
http://www.ud.net/gastineau

6

Darryl:

Yes! I have tried this method. I have to admit that I now prefer
the use of a pressure blaster (water and air)

Thanks.

Kenneth Gastineau
@Kenneth_Gastineau1
http://www.ud.net/gastineau

7

I have been happy with a small bearker of good solution on a hot
plate and then into the ultrasonic. I have to replace beakers
maybe every year so. Ron

8

It is possible to add solutions to a beaker and imerse the
beaker into the ultrasonic cleaner. The sound waves will travel
through the beaker walls.

Bruce D. Holmgrain
e-mail: @Bruce_Holmgrain
http:\www.knight-hub.com\manmtndense\bhh3.htm
snail mail: 311 Sugarland Run Drive, Sterling, VA 20164
phone:: 703-593-4652

9

ok Kenneth im sorry for the misunderstanding. if you have a rack
in that giant ultrsonic of yours you could fill it with water or
your usual cleaner and set a beaker or other glass container like
my baby food jar of the devester in it. Then you don’t use 13
quarts at a time.

10

Yes you can. In fact most of the new machines recommend you do
this with lab equipment. Since I work in a chemical lab many
times we need to clean items with HCL acid or H2NO3 (nitric) and
that is a fast and easy way. Just don’t let any chemical spill
into the ultrasonic chamber.
Ron

11 
    It is possible to add solutions to a beaker and imerse the
beaker into the ultrasonic cleaner. The sound waves will travel
  through the beaker walls.

G’day. I agree; you can use almost any thin-walled vessel which
will fit into your ultra-sonic bath; plastic, glass, whatever.
1" dia test tubes are excellent for chains and a quick pickle, or
a very rapid brightening dip with dilute nitric acid. Only one
thing though - you had better have some water or your usual
cleaner solution in the bath (I use sugar soap solution!) and
immerse the extra vessel in it as ultra sonic baths don’t last
long when run without a liquid in them. And don’t run the
machine for longer than necessary as they are very costly to get
repaired and you’ll sorely miss it whilst it’s gone. I use a
Rotring ultrasonic draughting pen cleaner I picked up cheaply
about 6 years ago and it is still excellent for small jobs. Cheers

        /\
       / /    John Burgess, 
      / /
     / //\    @John_Burgess2
    / / \ \
   / (___) \
  (_________)
12

you dont put the solution in straight a 1 gal solution will
last a long time when you mix it with recommened amt. of water. i
have a casting shop and use a powdered soap called swifty from
Contenti.1 tbl spoon per gal works great cleanes about 10 5x7’"
flasks . Marty (Gold’n Creations)

13

Hi Marty

Do you have an address or phone number for your source for
"Swifty" soap. I have never heard of it or Contenti. How are
you using this, that is do you heat this or use it in the
tumbler?Thanks

Charlene
CharDen Designs

14

Contenti is a jewelry supple co in prov. RI call 800 info they
will give ya the #. I put it in a hot ultrasonic. works great.
Anouther tip if there is a lot of investment on tree put it back
in hot oven for 15 min then quench in water most invest will blow
off .

                    Marty
                    (Gold'n Creations)
15

hi, a BIG THANKS to whomever suggested to use vinegar to remove
investment. i put a little in a beaker inside the sonic, and all
the investment was off in 10 min!

best regards,

geo fox