Machining a Custom Graphite Mold for Metal Casting -

[@DaaGoddy]

I'm a goldsmith and I think your problem is not only the mold beeing to cold but the silver, too. We usually preheat the mold and then start melting the silver while keeping the flame on the metal all the time. You want to keep the flame at the right distance so the metal stays silver and doesn't turn black. When you pour, try to keep the flame on your pouring stream so it stays hot and free of air/ oxigen. ( If that makes any sense to you :) ). Anyway, great video! Can't wait to try it on my CNC. We usually do sand/investment castings. Time for some graphite....

[@carbide3d]

Yep, totally makes sense. In blacksmithing they often call out a "reducing flame", one where the flame has consumed all the available oxygen and basically bathes the metal in an inert gas jacket.

[@Thorhian]

Yeah, over here we pretty much keep the flame going until we let the centripetal caster loose, shoving the metal into the mold pretty quickly lol.

[@leahannwhite1111]

👍💓!!!!!

[@walterbunn280]

With the danger of graphite dust being so pointed, you could always add oil lubrication to the machining process. There's some inherent disadvantages to it, but there's also additional advantages to it beyond dust mitigation. The most pointed disadvantage is that you'd have to dry fire your mold, or at least heat it in an oven until it stopped smoking before you used it as a mold for molten metal. This side of it is actually kind of nuetral though. Oiling and "burning out" graphite can actually repair minor wear on the inside of the mold, though also obscures small details. If you're machining graphite for technical application, like bike parts, soaking the graphite in oil to impregnate down into it does yield some advantages. The degree of penetration is dependent on the weight of the oil, with lighter oil penetrating down deeper into the graphite.

[@aaronself2411]

Thank you, adding the oil soak to my "good to know folder"

[@leahannwhite1111]

Thank you! 👍💓

[@rxz4140]

His safety warnings are greatly appreciated. I appreciate his skill and protection of his followers. Thank you.

[@MorRobots]

That tapper is called draft angle and it's essential in mold making, particularly if they material dose not shrink that much after cooling.

[@J87513]

True! I’m going to get the Nomad 3 soon. Do you use Nomad 3 to make injection molds from Al 6061?

[@J87513]

True! I’m going to get the Nomad 3 soon. Do you use Nomad 3 to make injection molds from Al 6061?

[@J87513]

True! I’m going to get the Nomad 3 soon. Do you use Nomad 3 to make injection molds from Al 6061?

[@erlinghagendesign]

Hi Winston, from a jeweler's perspective: Graphite molds deteriorate quickly if you flame them too hard, for too long, and too frequently. A quick hit with your torch is all it takes, not only to heat the graphite, but also to make sure it doesn't contain any moisture. A dry mold (for any material) is extremely important to prevent gas explosions. I suggest you use tin = pewter for your next tests (please no leaded alloys). It's cheaper, has a very low melting point, and flows well. Most importantly, heat your metal to the point where it flows freely in your crucible. Clean the surface of any residue with a cheap stainless steel spoon. Use leather gloves. Once the metal surface is mirror-shiny, bring your crucible close to the mold opening along with the flame and pour quickly. Slow pouring won't work. To make sure your design is suitable for casting, this is the best way to test quickly over and over again. For professional casting (jewelry, etc.) and graphite mold making (CNC) you can contact me anytime. Good luck and have fun casting. Herri

[@tsadkiel2008]

Nice to come to a channel where one admits to their mistake/s. I think that is a better learning video than any.

[@MusicByJC]

I agree. About 20 years ago, I made a mistake and owned up to it.

[@sudo936]

I have had graphite blanks on my work bench for a year with the intention of doing this...beat me to it. It will probably take me another year to create a tapered pocket with a bottom corner radius in fusion. Thank you for posting.

[@jeremynicoletti9060]

I've done this with graphite, and besides the dust it's the most forgiving material I've ever machined. I also struggle with melting metal for castings and probably should look into more methods.

[@MorRobots]

If you do this again in the future, you may want to invest in a good electric furnace so you can hit the temps needed to get a good pour. Also you may want to look into trying out machinable wax and doing a lost wax process. If you add a 4th axis you could do some really complex shapes.

[@The177Hunter]

Only stopped to leave a comment, love the thumbnail! Wish I had some bars that looked like that

[@MidnightMaker]

Love your videos. I only carve graphite in a water bath...

[@johnharding2912]

Soak the graphite for a couple days before machining it, or mill it under water in a bath. Much safer. Also, even though it machines what seems to be easily, it wears tools fast. You get special diamond impregnated end Mills for graphite, about 30-40 a piece

[@hayatel2557]

What cnc you are using? What is the accuracy?

[@andrewrobb633]

Nice one Winston. Loving the podcast too by the way.

[@Cfomodz]

How much was the graphic stock?

[@AlbiniusCristi-zm8vb]

Do you make molds and sell them ? If so where ? Thanks.

[@ralphmourik]

Very cool! So is this where I order my custom ingot molds with my channel logo in them? 😁👍

[@yangli5175]

We can produce custom ingot molds

[@Self.reliant]

What would you charge to make a couple molds for me

[@thespearsyspinmikespears3419]

Hi... Where can I find a a punch stamp for copper-Gold-copper and Brass. Need to imprint weight/.999 and name. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[@jhawk072]

Where can I get a 6"x3"x3" ingot mold cut for 5lb aluminum ingots with my business logo on it?

[@carbide3d]

Either a local metal supplier who also has CNC services. Or look to the Carbide 3D Community Forum. Post what you need made and see if anyone picks up the job.

[@Thetreetroll]

How do you figure out what all the buttons do? Those programs in might as well be hieroglyphics to me.

[@victoriabarker5478]

Hello, I would love to try this, can you tell me what cutter you are using?

[@heinzhubbuch9409]

since you have all these tools could you possibly make me a graphite mold? im looking for one with 3 cavities approximately 3/4 inch by 1 1/2 inch and only 1/4 deep ???

[@carbide3d]

You have to contract one of our machine owners for this type of job. Put it out on community.carbide3d.com And someone will bid the job.

[@driftersforge4962]

Where can I get this machine?? I'm wanting to make my own coin molds

[@carbide3d]

shop.carbide3d.com/collections/machines/products/nomad-3?variant=32912906354749

[@zeeorlog]

What type of drill bit are you using ??

[@cogjellying]

may you be commissioned to produce a prototype for an artist?

[@sundownsam3369]

Do you make custom ingots?

[@williambrown2098]

Hey if you're open to it after I pay for the materials how much would you charge me to cut some custom molds??

[@andybside]

Could you machine graphite in a cnc that runs coolant? I assume you'd have to burn out any oil residues.

[@carbide3d]

Graphite is porous and will absorb moisture. Coolant is not recommended and will make things worse.

[@anti-christian6662]

I am looking for a two piece frog shaped mold for aluminum. Can anyone help me obtain one

[@HypeBeast764]

The ingot won’t get stuck because it’ll shrink

[@EdBlack-]

What city are you in? I’m looking for someone to CNC me a mold for a small cross pendant. Very simple design 1/16” deep and about 1.25” long by 1/2” wide with a small loop at the top of the cross. I thought about trying to carve it out by hand, or find a shop in town, but maybe I could order the graphite ingot and have it sent to you. Please send me an email. Thanks

[@carbide3d]

Ed. The best plan is get on the community forums and ask someone with one of our machines to do the work. There are plenty of talented people there who could definitely help you out. community.carbide3d.com

[@PsyChoTicKs1990]

hey man i was wondering if u can actualy make some mold for me? and how much would u charge

[@sotkshadow8306]

what type of bit is it that you used , is it one that you use on wood due to the graphite being soft or is it one you use on metal

[@carbide3d]

I was using regular uncoated endmills. Graphite machines really easily and though it is slightly abrasive, for small scale projects it's a non-issue.

[@muggzzzzz]

Nomad has interesting original spindle design. Is it NEMA 17 type servo motor? What RPM range has Nomad in that setting?

[@carbide3d]

The spindle is powered by a 70w brushless motor in a square NEMA-style housing, and sometimes mistaken for a stepper or servo. It's good for between 2-10k RPM.

[@muggzzzzz]

@@carbide3d I got it! Thanks for the fast anwser!

[@icabod3374]

Couldn't you melt the silver directly in the mold instead of melting it outside the mold and pouring it?

[@RainG69]

Where can you buy graphite stock? I need 5"x5"x3"

[@yangli5175]

We have graphite stock

[@scarsprospecting]

Would you make me some custom coin molds ? And small Ingot molds

[@yangli5175]

We produce custom graphite molds for coins. If any interest, feel free to contact

[@TheRealDToTsO]

Do custom orders?

[@niktah223]

Hello, can I purchase a mold from you?

[@saeculum2738]

Can anyone make me a graphite mold of a 1/10th Oz silver coin blank ?

[@ArtworkShalini]

Whoa! I just saw an answer in my testbook that "graphite is used for casting metals" and due to my curiosity watched this whole video😂....btw..I really liked how you created that digital image! What was that tool? Seems too interesting to me...

[@DJVWoodworking]

Fusion 360, by AutoCad

[@michaellivsey7226]

This helps me alot

[@imeltz813]

Do you sell custom graphite molds on request?

[@carbide3d]

We do not, we sell machines rather than machining services.

[@yangli5175]

We produce custom graphite molds, if any need, feel free to contact

[@gudlaugurrobertsson7623]

Hello Carbide 3d, loved your video, I just wanted to ask you. What 3d program and what type of cnc machine are you using ? Best regards

[@carbide3d]

Shown in this video is the Nomad Pro and Fusion 360.

[@victoriabarker5478]

Thanks, had same question!

[@goldsilverjunkie]

Hey, if I send you measurements, can you make me an ingot mode for silver? 😊$$$

[@spytechpr]

Can you make a mold like that with a logo if I need one?

[@rock3tcatU233]

2 mm DOC is actually pretty heavy.

[@UnitSe7en]

Not for graphite.

[@mariagrosse9125]

Wirklich Wahnsinn 😘💯 💪

[@peiqili7218]

Hello, we specialize in the production of graphite products, you can contact me if you need it.

[@leahannwhite1111]

👍💓!!!

[@RichardCournoyer]

Graphite rod… you mean like a pencil… You couldn't find a pencil? JK....cool video...hot metal...cold mold.... lol

[@SouthernOregonCoast]

I was just at the art store and bought a "graphite stick", I bought it to experiment based upon Winston's last video on the subject. I did not need a big block for the test. It may have been a good pencil substitute?

[@SeeBrot]

oh nice kabooom 😅