Periscope Broadcast: Casting with the Jewelry Tech Team

[@BlueLineofthesky]

Hi. Very good information. Very comprehensive. But what happen with the air or gas trapped inside the mold in centrifugal casting? I do not see vents...

[@nemocacihlas4876]

you must be a mouldmaker!kool...me too,automotive plastics...ip n door panels.the air while casting gets pushed into the dry n hot investment...just like using porcerax in a "tough" area to vent in plastics...basically the hot investment breaths and no flash!

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi, +Relu! Thanks for asking! Great question. The force of the centrifugal casting machine pushes the metal into the cavity and pushes the air through the pores of the investment. Since the investment is porous, the force from the molten metal pushes the air through the investment. Let us know if we can provide any more info for you! :)

[@BlueLineofthesky]

Thank you. I never considered the investment is that porous. Now I understand. Very fast answer. As always RioGrande have super Customer Service. Thank you very much.

[@BlueLineofthesky]

Yes, I see now. :) Thanks. I try to cast sterling silver. I am setting up my little studio, gathering tools, etc...and because of lower production cost I am interested in Lost Wax casting with centrifugal machine for now.

[@nemocacihlas4876]

I said it first! lol. im exactly where you are...I love it. all the best. keep carving.

[@royal_elegance_algeria]

Wich one gives a better casting with much smooth details the vacuum casting or the centrifugal casting ?

[@RioGrande1944]

Both will give good surface qualities but vacuum can give slightly smoother surface qualities because the metal can flow in a little smoother with less turbulence.

[@royal_elegance_algeria]

@@RioGrande1944 thank you so much

[@michaels9926]

Informative video. Was great to see the two machines in use. I was wondering about the Rio Assist Crucible Holder system. What is the advantage of that compared to the simple crucible handle system you were using. The Rio Assist is quite pricey. Would it be possible to have a video of the Rio Assist in action?

[@kevinyazzie17]

I bought a spin caster from a pawn shop for cheap, just because I knew what it was. But never used one before. I'm seeing all the steps, and more equipment, I'm not sure if I want to invest in it. I'll stick with tufa, and sandcasting.

[@t0rb1naalborg44]

thank you - for all your valuable advices about safety, best practice and tips. Professionals at their best. and last but not least the nice closeups 😉

[@gmorgan5215]

What is the formula for calculating how much metal to use so as not to over/under fill the cavity ?

[@ismaeltorresjr.4945]

Great advice and detailed instructions. Thank you very much guys!

[@HuyNguyen-vn5rp]

What's the recommended propane to oxygen ratio?

[@tindurben3124]

I was hoping to get more information out of this video... Learn about the benefits, differences between centrifugal and vacuum casting. If you had the choice, which would you use for what and why? (I am thinking about adding a vacuum casting machine) 1. If you have very fine detail in a wax, which one would be better to use? 2. Other reason why you would prefer one over the other, if you had both available? 3. Better for white versus yellow gold? High nickel white gold sometimes gives me trouble in centrifugal casting. Would investing in a vacuum casting machine make any difference, worse, better, the same? (Assuming no mistakes with button size, spruing, flask temp, etc. in either process) Just a comment on heating the crucible. It might make no difference, but I always heat the crucible first, before adding any premixed, already alloyed gold. If I am alloying, I place the fine gold into the cold crucible first and heat it with a oxygen rich flame until the fine gold is totally melted, (quick and fine gold does not oxidize), then after changing the flame to a reducing one, I add the alloy. I also use a heavy duty vice to keep the torch on the crucible when I need both hands to get the flask. Doesn't the flask cool too much having it sitting on the vacuum table for as long as you show it? By the way, thank you for having a jewelry tech team ready to help! I have used it in the past for plating issues and got great support. Rio Grande is awesome.

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi there! Thank you so much for reaching out to us. What great questions! We'll do our best to answer them in full. In regards to some of the differences between the two methods of casting: -If you are using a torch to melt the metal, both casting methods will give very repeatable and very comparable results. -Centrifugal casting can give slightly better and crisper details due to the energy generated during the casting process. Spin casting can also fill slightly finer details like filigree a little better. - Units like the Vic 9 only draw from the bottom of the flask so they can have more difficulty filling finer detail on larger thin items. - Units like the Vic 12 that use the perforated flasks draw a vacuum from all directions and, therefore, have better filling capabilities. These units also may have a larger vacuum pump to help draw the metal into finer areas. Larger vacuum pumps generally work better with perforated flasks. - Both systems work fine for both yellow and white gold. You should not really see any difference between vacuum and spin casting, as far as quality goes. High nickel white gold is just kind of a pain to cast. - One big difference with vacuum casting is you can pour larger amounts of metal when using an electro melt. These units melt the metal in a more controllable environment and hold the metal temps more accurately. This can lead to better castings without overheating the metal. The flask does start to cool as soon as you turn the vacuum on. It starts drawing room air into the core of the flask so you want to pour as soon after you get a full vacuum as possible. The longer the flask sits with the vac on and running, the faster it starts to cool the core of the flask. Since the investment is a great insulator, the core temp of the flask doesn’t drop too quickly until the vacuum is turned on. Once you turn the vacuum on, it starts dropping quite quickly but you need to give it a few seconds to fully evacuate the air before you pour. We hope this helps! Let us know if there's any more information we can provide for you! :)

[@tindurben3124]

Thank you very much! Good info. I appreciate you responding. Fine detail in the pesky nickel white gold is what I am most struggling with. For it, I will stay with my centrifugal casting. But for bigger castings, I will check out the Vic 12. Happy New Year!

[@antonioloy2805]

please...please stay way from Vacuum casting unless you have experience...I have been casting for 36 years I have it all centrifugal...vacuum induction a d induction vacuum..there are some metals that just won't fill by vacuum. .save your well earned $$$

[@MrSpikesterman]

question, I live in ohio and those schools that have classes on casting are in florida or in california that I know of, so I was wondering where can I find a classes in ohio?

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi, +serrot spikester! Thanks for reaching out :) Our Jewelry Tech Team recommends you look into the Columbus Cultural Arts Center in Columbus, OH. They have a bronze casting class, we well as others. You should also look into the Cleveland Institute of Art! Let us know if we can provide any more info!

[@inkedup5250]

red ink jewelry school Clarksville indiana

[@mehmehmehmeh]

very informative but please don't upload vertical videos ever again.

[@kristinamueller4809]

This video was really great, thank you! What other pros and cons can you think of between the two casting methods? I've read that the vacuum method seems to yield more consistent casts, but something about the centrifuge method is really appealing to me. I of course would opt for the method that produces a higher quality outcome. Is one better than the other? Or do they both have the same potential?Also, what kind of torch are you using? Thanks again! I can't tell you how much I appreciate you making this video:)

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi, Kristina! Great questions, thanks for reaching out :) First off, the torch is a casting torch with propane and oxygen like this one: www.riogrande.com/Product/Smith-Propane-Casting-Torch-System-for-Platinum/500324 Now, onto the differences between the casting methods; centrifugal casting is very reliable and fool proof because you have that constant force pressing the metal into the cavity, and many people feel they get a denser casting with centrifugal. Vacuum casting can cast larger flask sizes. The vacuum casting machine also comes with the vacuum table, so the purchase of another machine is not necessary. Also, the vacuum machine can be used with an electromelt, so a casting torch is not necessary. Does that help? Let us know if we can provide you with any more info! :)

[@jimbettridge3123]

Good job guys!!

[@gmorgan5215]

Eh, a bit sophomoric, and unprepared. I wouldn't ask these guys to cast a lead sinker.

[@LOBOTOMTechnikaDentystyczna]

Hi Y'All! I was wondering...Is that Spincaster suitable for dental metal casting? All comments are welcome. A BIG thumbs up from Poland to all of You, Crazy Casters! Peace!

[@antonioloy2805]

By the way as soon as the cast has been vacuumed..How about adding some boric acid to cover the hot button to stop absortption of oxygen!!

[@nemocacihlas4876]

thank you gents

[@CatsArtFashion]

Great video!

[@pattyv341]

When I cast, I melt the metal first, and with the torch still on the metal, grab my hot ring from the oven line it up, and release the machine.

[@teamskovhugger8135]

🤔 a couple of ear plugs maight also be a good idea .

[@clockmakerify]

Лайк та переглядів, вашому каналу.

[@arturoortegasanchez5171]

Por qué no hablan en en lengua es pastellano

[@antonioloy2805]

Why ...why...a company like Rio Grande would be using an IPhone to make a Video is beyond me! so amateur ..c'mon guys...don't buy the vacuum casting machine..if you are casting 14 and 18 palladium ..you will fail...time after time time after time!!do not!! place the flask on the vacuum table before your metal is molten these two guys are two Goofs..why are you showing all the wrong moves..the flask cools 50f every minute...when vacuum casting ..the flask shoulde be at least 100 f hotter than centrifugal casting...please do no follow these instructions..OMG!! ...and the flask keeps on cooling down..yeah! try to cast superfine filigree..and just wait....have a smoke..while you are at it!!yeah...sing a little song...Titled....Who let these goofs out! woof woof woof!!

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi Tony, Thanks for your feedback. This video was shot on an iPhone because it was originally a broadcast on Periscope. Our Jewelry Tech Team stands behind the useful tips and process shown here, and are available as a resource for jewelers who have questions or need help with this or any other process in jewelry making. (Simply give us a call at the 800 number on our home page!) That said, we are working on a new set of vacuum casting videos in the style you may be used to seeing on the Rio channel.