I recently saw a demonstration of an inexpensive casting system.
The Delft system. It comprises two small aluminium rings about
2" diameter, 2kilos of clay, a 3" crucible and crucible holder.
One of the rings is packed with clay and smoothed off, the
pattern is then pressed firmly halfway into the clay. The two
rings are aligned together and clay is packed into the other
ring covering the pattern. The rings are then taken apart
revealing the pattern which has made an impression in the clay.
Air holes and a hole for pouring are made in the clay. The mould
is put back together again. The metal is then heated and poured
into the mould. When cool the mould is taken apart. The casting
is taken out and cooled. The clay can be reused. Just like
making a cake!! If anyone is interested I can give you the
address.
I share your enthusiasm for Delft Clay Casting. I have been
using the Delft clay casting system for about 2 years now and I’m
very pleased. I still do most of my casting with my vacuum caster
of course, but for many items such as flat
earrings,pendants,simple bands, braclet links, so many things. It
is great and fast. A lady brings in a earring that she lost one
of and you cast her another in an hour to match perfectly. I have
used it to cast some waxes that I’ve carved. If you say turn(or
carve) a band in GREEN wax, it is hard enough to take the
hammering of the clay around it and it will cast just fine. Delft
casting is gravity casting so you must cut vents from the mold to
alow air to escape. All the info. you need is on the video tape
that comes with the system. As for the detail, It is great as
long as you pack the clay firmly. Example: the watchmaker at our
store had a silver coin from a shipwreck and wanted a duplicate
made in 18K for a pendant. I clay casted it and once I removed
the sprue and textured that area you could not tell the
differance, Except for the color of course. The size is even
closer than if you made a rubber mold and shot waxes.
I got mine from SWEST 1-800-527-5057 http://www.swestinc.com
Also RioGrande 1-800-545-6566 http://www.riogrande.com With
some practice you can get great results on many things. The
price is around $85.00.
I have used it to cast some waxes that I've carved. If
you say turn (or carve) a band in GREEN wax, it is hard
enough to take the hammering of the clay around it and it
will cast just fine.
Now, just look at what you've done. I have to add this to my
infinitely long list of things I just have to try.
Thanks for the hint, I've been using Delft a little but this
opens up a vast opportunity for me.