How I gate these skulls for ceramic shell investment

[@bosnwifey7983]

The explanation you have about why you use the square sprue in the gating is excellent. Thank you for explaining that.

[@LunarburnStudio]

Glad you found it helpful. The round ones certainly work, but I find the square one give me more consistency in my castings.

[@LunarburnStudio]

I see from your profile that you are in OK. You must be one of Jenn Peek's students. Thanks for watching and for asking questions!

[@bosnwifey7983]

@@LunarburnStudio I am she talks about your helpful tips all the time. We are preparing for our first try at this whole process.

[@stanhill3980]

That's what I really appreciate, if I was close I would like to be a Prentice

[@LunarburnStudio]

Where are you located? I might be able to suggest a foundry or artist in your area.

[@kainaaguiarferreira4351]

Im seeing all off your videos

[@LunarburnStudio]

Glad you are digging the vids, let me know if you have any questions.

[@Bottleworksnet]

I'm loving your channel!

[@willcoon371]

I would love to see more spruing videos

[@LunarburnStudio]

I have several more planned, stay tuned. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

[@JB-mw5rg]

Thanks, great tutorial!

[@LunarburnStudio]

Glad you found it helpful. Let me know if you have any questions.

[@JB-mw5rg]

@@LunarburnStudio Just one wish in life to pour a sculpture one day!

[@LunarburnStudio]

Where there is a will there is a way. Look up local schools and programs. Or volunteer with artists.

[@chrissilliker8633]

Great teacher thank you so much

[@LunarburnStudio]

You are very welcome

[@rmicustomwoodworks7952]

Why do home pours Fail? You did not watch this video. Just awesome info.

[@LunarburnStudio]

There are many reasons why a pour might fail regardless wether it's a home pour or commercial. Sprus (gates and vents), metal temp, investment choice, investment temp, burnout, pour. With all these variables, it comes down to consistency, attention to detail and like all things practice.

[@renofranczek9511]

Very informative and generous to show your process! Is there a link to see any of the finished castes? maybe for purchase?

[@LunarburnStudio]

Heres the link to my website where they are for sale. www.ericwstephenson.com/sculptures/standard_products/castiron-skull

[@arturoarturo8452]

What is the best design for a sprue system to cast just the head and neck of a life sized bust for which the details are important? For example 1. Upside down, gate around to the bottom and vent the neck? 2. Upside down, gate inside the skull and vent the neck? 3. Upside down, gate the neck and vent then the head and neck ..? Thanks in advance

[@LunarburnStudio]

I think option 1 or 3 should both work fine. With option 2, if you spru internally on that size piece you will slow your drying time, harder to de-mold and will trap heat that will potentially cause casting defects.

[@hj-clone]

Very nice and well thought out production. I Would like to see an indirect sprueing/casting, with how to reduce turbulence design. And how to you fix leaks discovered during a pour?, besides letting it freeze and going back, as in your pouring video I just saw. I like the lifting and tilting gear-is it on an I-beam with a roller or swivelling arm? Thanks, Andy

[@LunarburnStudio]

The pouring rig runs across an i-beam. If the leak isn't too big a rod with a damp cloth on the end can be enough to freeze the metal forming a plug. When the leak is bigger I will apply some green-patch (heat set refractory) which will instantly seal the breach. I have been meaning to do more videos on different spruing approaches. They are on my list. Thanks for watching my videos.

[@noviceartisan]

That was very helpful, thanks for sharing your knowledge! Definitely be interested in further spruing videos, including on indirect spruing :)

[@LunarburnStudio]

Thanks, I am excited you are finding my videos helpful. I just posted the next video covering the spruing of the wax skull. But I will also create videos that dive deeper on the different types and approaches in spruing including indirect or bottom fed.

[@AnnetteWood-w8g]

Do you have example video where the added wax at the skull entry point? When you add the Dulip of wax?

[@LunarburnStudio]

Unfortunately, I don’t but that’s a good point that would help in the understanding of that technique.

[@mf_martina]

Hey! Is there any mathematical formula that dictates the volume of the sprue system in relationship to the volume of the pattern?

[@LunarburnStudio]

There might be but not that im aware of. Certainly not for art casting. I know that there are some software packages that have similar capabilities like Solidworks.

[@sierraecho884]

Why is the vent not on a high point ? I learned that the vents should be on high points since gas will rise up, otherwise gasses can be trapped. The way I see it, the whole thing is backwards, the gate should be at a low point and the vent on a high point, so switching your current configuration in this video. Let me know what you think.

[@LunarburnStudio]

It really depends on each object and its shape, wall thickness, detail, texture. etc. For these skulls, i point all the details downward to eliminate the case of multiple high points. The vent in this case reduces turbulence and helps support the cup. Traditionally with standard investment you need to vent more on the high point but with ceramic shell you have more options due to it gas permeability (traps less gas). The gating system you suggest is referred to as a bottom feed or Indirect spru system and is a totally valid approach. It is perticlly useful for super thin casings and or casting with deep textures. Thanks for your comments, it reminds me that i need to do more videos on different sruing/gating styles.

[@sierraecho884]

@@LunarburnStudio Thank you for your feedback. I understand that casting is more of an art form, many ways lead to Rome I guess =) This reminds me that I should get a software for casting and filling prediction.

[@roycarter8575]

Eric, as you know I have been following your excellent and most appreciated videos covering many steps in the ceramic shell casting process. I like your method of hanging the shell for the metal pour and the cardboard topped off cup. I ascertain from your comments so far that you will burn out the shell. I will use the hot water method and will need to figure out the details for dealing with the styrofoam cup and cardboard in the subsequent wax removal and vitrification steps. Would appreciate any suggestions you wish to offer. Regards and Thanks. Roy

[@LunarburnStudio]

I haven't tried boiling my shells yet for de-wax but have hear good things. But yes you will need to trim the edges of the shell around the cup to pop off the cardboard top and then peel out the Styrofoam cup before you de-wax.

[@roycarter8575]

@@LunarburnStudio Eric, thanks for the great informational service you are providing regarding the ceramic shell casting process. As you have testified there is a dearth of safe, accurate and timely information surrounding the process for small scale situations. I was introduced to the process in 1974 at a national sculpture conference hosted by Frank A. Colson and have his booklet from the time titled: “Ceramic Shell Casting Plans”. As you have dutifully noted circumstances have improved much over time regarding safety concerns, small scale furnace construction, burnout procedure and accessibility/scale of ceramic shell casting materials. Roy

[@jesselucas1728]

Pro trick: you can watch movies on flixzone. Me and my gf have been using them for watching all kinds of movies these days.

[@kaysenemanuel4784]

@Jesse Lucas Yea, I have been watching on Flixzone for since november myself :D

[@gulf4yankee]

Where can we obtain the pre-extruded wax shapes from for Sprues and risers.

[@LunarburnStudio]

I get mine from Remet.com, you will need to call them to place your order.

[@andycap1223]

Yip, please count me in on the video for direct spruing, please! Also, when does one decide between a pour from the top and a "bottom feed"? My apologies if you have already dealt with the abovementioned matter.

[@andycap1223]

Correction: I meant "INdirect spruing".

[@LunarburnStudio]

Bottom Feed / Indirect spruing are one and same. It really just depend on the pattern. You can certainly use indirect on almost every type of pattern but that style isnt always needed and it uses both more wax and investment. It also can create more challenges during burn out. I typically use it when my patterns have a high level of deep detail, Are thin, and/or complex.

[@andycap1223]

@@LunarburnStudio Thank you for your reply, Eric! That said, I don't think I now have a perfect grasp of indirect spruing. But I do feel your answer has given me a better grasp of the concept. Kind regards

[@LunarburnStudio]

@Andrew Vos Ill do some videos exploring different approaches to spruing in the near future. In the mean time if you have a specific question about a picticular pattern feel free to reach out.

[@andycap1223]

@@LunarburnStudio Thank you kindly, Eric!

[@MacyFoster-nc2wi]

What's your process of fixing your gating if it falls apart in the dipping process? I've been having trouble keeping mine together!

[@LunarburnStudio]

It depends where in the process it brakes. If between the first 1-5 dips ill fix with slurry and fiber chopped fiberglass cloth and continue dipping. Much after that Ill continue to dip the parts separately and fix after burnout. But its really on a case by case basis. But if your gating is consistently braking away from your patterns the problem is probably how your welding your wax parts together.

[@duanepreston2510]

Are there any disadvantages to hanging Investments?

[@LunarburnStudio]

I have been hanging my shells for 30 years, not so much in the way of disadvantages, but you do need to plan ahead with your spruing so they fit on the rack and theres the extra step of pulling them from the kiln to hang them so it add a little complexity to the routine of the pour.

[@viamortola3541]

Do you ever have issues with metal flow on larger thin pieces/ how does the amount of texture on the surface of a piece affect the metals flow? (more texture = more gates?) Is there a way you quantify this change or do you just learn it by practice and feel?

[@LunarburnStudio]

Unfortunate, mostly by experience. It depends on what you mean by heavy detail. Usually more venting is required as opposed to more gates.

[@chrissilliker8633]

If I want to cast an ashtray that has a high detail family crest on it what would be the best way to sprue it ? Any help would be great

[@LunarburnStudio]

Kind of depends on the overall shape. Send me a images of it and il send you sketch. lunarburns (at) gmail.com

[@US-vy8up]

Lİke the music, like your help; thank u

[@LunarburnStudio]

Happy to help, remember to ask questions.

[@stefandixon6434]

Are you going to go over patinas?

[@LunarburnStudio]

Yes. I am working through all the steps for Casting processes. What patinas are you interested in?

[@stefandixon6434]

@@LunarburnStudio I patina steel often. I have put patina on copper with varying success. I know zilch about bronze patina.

[@LunarburnStudio]

Bronze compared to other metals has a nice range of achievable colors. And depending on the chemical can be applied hot or cold. I am looking forward to doing that video.

[@johngreen1537]

IWOULD LIKE TO SEE INDIRECT OR BOTTOM FEED SPRUING