Katway Vacuum & Investment Casting Machine - SETUP, TESTING & HONEST REVIEW

[@ArtByAdrock]

Hey everyone, if you haven’t used one of these investment casting machines, you’re missing out. They work great and make your casting process that much easier. I would highly recommend getting one for those of you into investment casting and the whole process. I’m still cleaning up this piece but I’ll be posting the finish cast once it’s finished. Enjoy and I’ll see you all in the next one! 👍🏻

[@rickypsencik5947]

Cool video. 😊

[@awldune]

Very cool, I guess this is primarily marketed to jewelers?

[@ArtByAdrock]

I would say yes. But then there’s people like me that like to make random stuff :)

[@PBRJOHN684]

Ad it's John Lee first of all WTF have I bought, I didn't realise it was that big and did I tell you the ring fits thank you

[@RobertLeBonn]

Hello, I have a question for you : how long did you vacuum the cylinder ? Thank you

[@wmcrash]

What was your casting flask temperature? And do the red silicone gaskets hold up for at least a few casts? I've been looking into casting C510 bronze, which has a similar melting point. From my math, the flask casting temperature should be about 1100F, but maybe my math is wrong. Thanks!

[@honthirty_]

Try an experiment, make 2 identical patterns, sprue exactly same way. Invest same. Same alloy, same temperature. Only difference would be one normal with casting vaccume, the other without. You want to minimize sprue to art height, this would get the hottest molten (last liquid) metal available when casting cools & shrinks. That is why there is a void in feeder under your part @8:11 . Also vent sprue from very tips of art wings to metal pour bowl, not half way. Trapping air (porosity) caused by a non-laminar casting method.

[@timelessfoundry]

Looks great! What PLA did you use? I’m under the impression that regular PLA doesn’t burn out very well. I’ve heard that there are specialized 3D print materials that are recommended for those who don’t use resin printers but not sure how much of a difference it actually makes or if I need to just switch to resin. Any thoughts?

[@ArtByAdrock]

I use polycast castable filament. It works great however you still have print lines. You can use isopropyl alcohol though to smooth it out just like you would acetone for ABS.

[@timelessfoundry]

​@@ArtByAdrock Thanks man I appreciate the response! I just picked up a roll and am looking forward to trying it out! Huge fan of your work btw your content is always so masterfully done. Love to see it!

[@taftancastingchannel]

Hi 👋

[@noviceartisan]

I think elegoo, anycubic or Phrozen should send you a modern resin printer already so you can play with castable resins like bluecast, siraya cast or Powerresins. Those layer lines drive me crazy on FDM prints haha

[@AffectionateDragonflies-dy4gb]

The machine to burn out the wax I need one can you send me a link please I beg

[@mfeltster]

Where did you get that big perforated flask?

[@ArtByAdrock]

@@mfeltster I think I bought that one from Rio Grande

[@TurdFergusen]

Make sure the dome isnt on when applying vaccuum to the casting chamber and similarly dont block the casting chamber when vacuuming the dome

[@TurdFergusen]

@@honthirty_ its in the kayacast instructions

[@joshmendoza3679]

Hey i have some troubles. I put my flask. And turn on the investment machine. And the hot liquid metal ends up exploding and flying out. Any help id appreciate it

[@ArtByAdrock]

That’s most likely because your flask wasn’t burned out properly and there’s still moisture in the plaster.

[@joshmendoza3679]

@@ArtByAdrockthank you. So should the plaster be dry? I saw a diy on burning out the wax with a vegetable steamer. Thats probably y. U think a dehydrator could burn out the wax and dry the plaster? I cant afford a proper burner due to my living situation.

[@ArtByAdrock]

@joshmendoza3679 you could use your oven or a grill to burn it out but it’s not recommended. You need it to be completely dry so even just sit it out in the sun for 2 weeks after burning it out. Without the proper tools though you probably won’t get great results.

[@joshmendoza3679]

@@ArtByAdrockdamn okay, thank you for the feedback

[@sum1835]

what if i dont put the flask inthe chasting chamber before pouring the metal

[@ArtByAdrock]

@@sum1835 then you’ll be entrapping gas which will lead to pitting and poor results. You don’t have to use a vacuum chamber but you’ll get much better results if you do.

[@sum1835]

@@ArtByAdrock aaight man thanks, one more question: how do i get the wax out of my mold if i dont have a 1000$ oven

[@ArtByAdrock]

@@sum1835 you could use your oven or grill but it will take longer and I wouldn’t recommend it but it is possible. You just want to make sure the mold is completely dry as any moisture could cause an explosion. That’s why a high temp kiln is needed. It might feel dry on the outside but the inside could still have water left over.

[@sum1835]

@@ArtByAdrock ight man thanks a lot

[@TurdFergusen]

Hrm why does it not have the Made In America label on the front like others do

[@awldune]

New machinery manufactured in Asia? Stop the presses!

[@RonR2]

It's a knockoff, I have one of these. It does the job though.

[@Sharper19]

Fake machine

[@PKhanz]

That's fake news