And well said . . . My intention in starting this thread …
again i might add… was not to through mud at either method…
It was and is to date, that I have not been 100 % successful
using it… I knew that somewhere there has to be answered as to
why I can’t make it work… that’s why I continue to keep my
equipment … and look for new ways to solve my problems… I
will keep my VAC… I am going to try Centi… I personally
require better success with either or both… mox nixs!!!..
Next on my list for Vac is having my machine gone over… I
done believe its me!!!
I’ll keep in touch…thanks and I still look forward to the pic
of a new matt …once used…
Do you mean to say that your flasks ruptured during the casting
process?? Just what did you do with the solution?
I sprayed the solution, painted the solution or dipped the trees
into the solution. I then let the waxes sit for varying lengthd
of time. Three minutes or an hour. I used debubblizer for years
and had beaucoup crap castings. The investment would have a
tendency to crack and perhaps to even flake off around the waxes.
Not until I gave up on debubblizing solutions altogtether did my
castings improve. I dunno?!@#??
A little note on debubbizing. Most investments now have a built
in ( debubblizer ), so there’s no need to use one. But if you do
feel you need to use a debubblizer you just need to make sure
it’s totally dried before you invest. Matt , C.I. A.
Hi Jim, check out http://racecarjewelry.com/page03.html pictures
of the equipment being used.I think all the other people doing
vac casting will tell you that they use their pads more than once
and that there is no problem with scorch marks.If you want to
eliminate the pad, then try the Graphite seal that Daryl
mentioned . @ 900of your pads should last for at least 25
castings.Is your oven contoller correct? maybe your flasks are
really at dull red or red hot temp which may indicate a temp of
1200 - 1350 oF .This would certainly wear out a pad very quickly.
Daniel Grandi
I have a centrifugal casting machine and would prefer not to
spend the money on a vacuum unit to set my investment. Can
someone advise me on how to make a simple system to remove the
bubbles.
Pauline, This will sound funny, but what I have done is, go to a
department store and get a hand held vibrator, usually in the
pharmacy dept. Get an old plastic box container that is flat on
the top. Put old towels in the box, fill to the top and place the
vibrator in the towels so the top will close tight onto the
towels and vibrator. Use this to vibrate the bubbles out of the
investment. Necessity is the Mother of Invention, LOL…It
cost about 8 dollars and hubby likes the back rub : )
…Char
Hi Pauline, You can use a Vibrator machine available from any
casting supply co and you can also find them at Chemical supply
houses and Dental supply houses in your area. This will work fine
for small trees.
Hi Pauline, The oldest trick for investing without vac unit is
to mix up a little investment and “paint” it on. After it sets go
ahead and pour the whole flask. J.A. …J.A. Henkel Co., Inc.,
Moldmaking, Casting, and Finishing. 207.729.3599
Some months ago I posted on Orchid a very simple way of
generating agitation to debubbalize investment.
It wont cost you a penny to try it. When you get ready to invest,
turn your washing machine to the Spin cycle and hold your flask
down on top of it. You may have to load something in the washer
such as a pair of wet jeans or a towel inorder to achieve a bit
of an unbalanced rotation ( creates more activity for removing
bubbles ).
I found the idea of using the washing mach. somewhere on the net
when researching RTV molds. It is not my original
idea…adding the wet clothing was something I added to give it
more oomph. Let us know how it works.
Another makeshift solution for an investment vibrator is any old
hand held saber saw, with the blade removed. These often have
holes in the baseplate you can use to screw the saw down onto the
work surface your mixing the investment on, and when you turn the
saw on, the table your working on will vibrate as well…Noisy,
but it works, and you might already have one in the basement…
Just to let you know I’ve cast 22k. at 1275 'f, using a table
top vac caster and had no problems with the silicon pad. You
should make sure your using the kind of pads made for high temps.
I use mine “lots”, before replacing because I’m cheap but only
when they start to give me grief, as in leaking. Frie and Borel
or Rio Grande is where I get mine. Good Luck!! Matt