Tool Talk: Kaya Cast Vacuum Review | Bonus Oil Change Walk Through

[@AceBullion]

Get mine in 2 days. Video to come, from homemade to professional. Finally!!!

[@johndersch7458]

Good review on a machine set up, every person wanting to do some serious lost wax casting should purchase. The red rubber sealing rings are not the best , I would advise you to look at getting some of the new graphite rings for the seals, they seal well and I have got over 15 or more uses out of many of mine , they don't burn away like the rubber ones do. or leave that sticky red gunk all over your flasks. The other important point to remember with these machines is to never pour the metal into a casting flask while you have the perpex dome on the rubber matt, as you can turn the leaver the wrong way by accident and get a vacuum reading but it isn't in the chamber for casting as you think , but in the dome . you pour the alloy and it doesen;t cast anything. You find this out when you pull the casting from the water bucket. Hope this helps.

[@zodiacjewelry5073]

Hi. Any info on where I can get those graphite rings for the seals. You are so right about rubber ones burning and leaving stinky red gunk. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

[@johndersch7458]

@@zodiacjewelry5073 Hi There at Zodiac jewellery, The Graphite rings for the casting seals are available on most jewellery supply places. Even ebay has a few I think. Do a bit of searching I am sure you will find them. An alternative as i have done for my manufacturing as I need several rings of different size and got sick of the red rings not lasting long at all , I made up some vulcanizing frames in 2 mm thick Aluminium plate suitable to mould these rings to the size I needed covered with heavy outer cover plates that are 10mm thick. I used some soft vulcanizing silicone rubber used for the production of spin casting moulds. I pull the rubber apart like modelling clay in small parts and press it into the ring frame and place it into the vulcanizer at 180 o C slowly increase the pressure on the frame to around 1000 psi or around the pressure you would use for an average injection mould and let it sit for 40 min . carefully remove the outer cover plates and frame and you should have a good ring of rubber for the top of the vacumm chamber . better than the red ones , I get around 10 to 15 uses out of these in house made ones. if not more. I have a spin casting vulcanizer with large heating plates and can make about 5 rings at a time of different sizes, as i have made quite a few size frames. Regards John Dersch Ornamental Castings

[@chrizzain]

OMG...I did a cast with the bell jar on and had mine lock up. It was never mentioned in the instructions. I had to learn the hard way. Ended up prying up the flask with a flat head screwdriver.

[@juliussykes5212]

My oil is just low. And I found out right before I took my grillz out the kiln lol. But this video shown me how to add oil in my machine. Thanks 💯

[@jwatrous4473]

Your video really helped me with the oil gauge, I thought I was going crazy when I couldn't figure out how much was in there. Quick question on your silicone gaskets; where do you get them? I just checked on pepetools and they don't seem to carry replacements. Thanks!

[@ClearMindJewellery]

We purchased ours more locally at European Designs. I would look for them at a local jewellery supplier as they will be likely to stock "consumable" items such as gaskets.

[@Swede_in_Canada]

Do you have an affiliate link for the Kaya Cast XL from PepeTools? I'm about to order one and would love to support my fellow Ontarians. :) I'm new to the channel (just subscribed) and am going through your resin review videos which are very helpful. Huge thanks for all the work you've put into reviewing all the resins and making such high quality videos!!!

[@ClearMindJewellery]

pepetools.com/a/s/products/kayacast-xl-professional-series-vacuum-casting-machine?aff=24

[@itailu]

Thank you for your review. I wish changing oil would be simpler since we need to move the machine for that. Perhaps they should have placed that faucet on the side or somewhere reachable. ❤️ by the way I don’t have this oil part on top of the vacuum

[@user-qi1qs8zj9t]

Thanks for your great videos. Can I ask, how thick do you think the aluminum vacuum chamber is? Thank you

[@lucawendel7644]

soo my machine just came in and the vacuum control know wont turn like yours does. In fact it doesnt turn at all. do i need to unscrew the knob or check it from the inside?

[@eliasdenitiu9352]

Hello. So i cannot find the flushing oil anywhere in the european market. Is there another way to clean the gunk inside the pump? It keeps getting my new oil dirty. Thanks in advance!

[@ClearMindJewellery]

It's otherwise known as top cut vacuum oil. You can talk with a local machine shop or auto store as to what they might recommend as you just need something comparable as it's just going to waste oil anyway.

[@alexandrasun9821]

Till where I put the oil? Middle of the glass? Or do I fill it with the 9 oz bottle that arrives with it? Which fills completely the glass

[@ClearMindJewellery]

Middle of glass I believe. I think there is a marking on it to let you know (not at the studio right now to verify). You will need to run the machine, in our experience, before it will start to appear in the glass.

[@teufelhunden8711]

@@ClearMindJewellery Awesome!!

[@amirimcmillian8706]

Why isn’t my vacuum investment and casting machine vacuuming properly the needle goes to -25 and dies go all the way down to -30

[@von2782]

I have the same problem

[@katbandit3190]

Would you happen to know if keeping this machine outside (with some sort of covering to protect from snow and rain) affect it negatively during use? I want to keep my burnout kiln and melting furnace outside because the fumes are terrible and I am not allowed to install an exhaust.

[@ClearMindJewellery]

Ambiant moisture can affect the equipment. Would be best to have them stowed in an out building (shed, garage) and then pull them out to use them.

[@dsdellinger]

I've been watching your videos as I learn casting and I picked up a new Kaya Cast machine from Arbe. For some reason I cannot get a good seal on the casting chamber side. It doesn't appear to be the chamber itself, but instead maybe the adapter plates and gaskets. Arbe has sent me new gaskets (they arrive today) but I was wondering if you had any similar issues or have any tips for using the casting chamber side.

[@ClearMindJewellery]

Unless your adapter plate is warped or has a defect Im not sure why it wouldn't be working. You do need to apply pressure to your flask to initiate the vacuum seal though.

[@dsdellinger]

@@ClearMindJewellery Thanks so much! I actually spoke with Arbe Machines and they sent me out some replacement gaskets. That did the trick. I think the ones that came with the machine were "dry", as they were a little more stiff.

[@macrobionic]

How hot can you safely heat your flask before the rubber casket bursts into flames like mine did at 800°C?

[@ClearMindJewellery]

The hottest we go is probably around 530-550.C (1000.F). As were usually casting with the flask 800-1000.F below metal casting temp. Considering that your temp is higher then some investments recommend for max hold temp, what are you casting?

[@stevendiamond8476]

What oil do I buy after the one that comes with the machine runs out???

[@ClearMindJewellery]

Its a top cut vacuum oil. We bought ours from Napa Auto.

[@sculptory]

Hey! Could you show what is inside this device? How does it vibrate? Where he has a vibrator. Nowhere on KZbin is there a video about the inside of this device ...

[@ClearMindJewellery]

It doesn’t vibrate it’s just the vacuum

[@sculptory]

@@ClearMindJewellery Почему не вибрирует? Там же стол для вибрации. Или ты выключил вибратор?

[@ClearMindJewellery]

It's just a vacuum. There is no vibration option on this machine. It is a vacuum table not a vibration table.

[@austinwaid1451]

Just bought one about a month ago. Haven’t used it due to ventilation issues during burnout and the cold weather :(

[@ClearMindJewellery]

We actually just got a different ventilation system. Quatro ductless ventilation

[@jaystartwo8790]

How much was it

[@ClearMindJewellery]

@@jaystartwo8790 link in description

[@ADDMNDS]

Would you recommend this for hip hop pendant castings? 1000s of prongs

[@ClearMindJewellery]

There is no reason why it can't work. We cast our Pavé stone setting practice rings using the Kaya. But you're going to have to know what your doing regarding resin choice, metal temp, etc and have a process for clean up.

[@timothymills5149]

I bought this a couple of weeks ago but am having trouble finding a good pair of tongs to replace the flimsy ones that come in the box. I am not so concerned about putting the flask into the vacuum caster (when I can grab the flask under the flange). But the tongs aren't grippy enough to lift the flask while gripping above the flange for when you what to quench the part. Even some really expensive flask tongs say not to lift flasks above the flange but, with the Kaya Cast, you need to. Do you have any recommendations for tongs you can buy or guidance on making tongs? Thanks

[@ClearMindJewellery]

I agree that the included tongs with the Kaya are real terrible and alone should be considered a safety hazard. I made my own tongs when I still have access to a blacksmith shop for work. If you know anyone doing that sort of work in your area and can make tongs, it shouldn't be a hard job. I'm afraid the only other recommendation I can make is for Neutec tongs on Rio or the Arbe Adjustable Flask Tongs, but neither are priced affordably in my opinion.

[@ishkhantanyelian]

Hello, I have 2 questions, 1. How often u need to change the oil and how u know its a dirty oil? 2. How many casting do u do per gasket? Thanks..

[@ClearMindJewellery]

You can see a direct comparison between the colour of the new oil and dirty oil at 10:19. You will be able so see the oil through the small viewing window on the left side of the machine. You should probably change it yearly at minimum. I am unsure how many casts we can do per gasket. Even though they don't look pretty long they last a surprising amount of time.

[@zodiacjewelry5073]

@@ClearMindJewellery My flask has to be at 1000 to 1,100 degrees and those silicone gaskets are clearly not taking it. Any better solution? Any info on graphite seal rings? Thanks.

[@VelianoandCo]

@clearmindjewert Where can I grab the oil? The one mines came with was an empty bottle

[@ClearMindJewellery]

We got ours from Napa auto. Any car or engine/machine store should have some “AC top cut vacuum oil”.

[@VelianoandCo]

@@ClearMindJewellery thanks for the quick response 🤙🏾

[@diamondperformancefab5931]

What oil did you use? I have a similar machine but not sure where to get oil or what type

[@ClearMindJewellery]

It is a top cut oil made for air conditioning vacuum pumps. We got it at Napa Auto.

[@dwdidit3664]

Why did you not put in the same amount of oil that you removed?

[@ClearMindJewellery]

There is a line in the window on the side to indicate how must to fill. The last time we filled the oil we over filled.

[@davidoliver2914]

Will Any kind of vacuum oil work okay??

[@ClearMindJewellery]

Top cut vacuum oil is the recommended. AC vacuum pump oil is a similar thing. You can get it at Princess Auto or on Amazon and in various other places.

[@eliashazbun6052]

Muchas gracias de gran ayuda

[@callmekells802]

Is this a good beginner device?

[@ClearMindJewellery]

It's a great 2 in 1 system for all levels of user. As long as you understood the basics we went over I would definitely recommend, that's why we let PepeTools use this video on their listing: pepetools.com/collections/casting-1/products/tabletop-vacuum-investing-and-casting-machine-system-arbe-kayacast?aff=24

[@itailu]

here is something strange, I used the kaya for the first time and I'm used to let the vacuum work on the cylinder for 2 min. when using kaya for over 50 sec the investment (srs 38/100) just hardened completely.

[@ClearMindJewellery]

That is strange. Ive never had investment solidify that quickly. Was the whole work time under 5 minutes? SRS does appear to have a quicker post mixing set at 2 hrs vs the 2-6 given by Optima or R&R. Wonder is they also have a faster working time.

[@itailu]

@@ClearMindJewellery solved it. Changing to distilled water and with this vacuum one has to shake it while vacuuming. My previous vacuum had a shaking mechanism. That was comfortable.

[@itailu]

@@ClearMindJewellery ohhh I tried your burnout cycle with x one. Didn’t work, I have no idea why

[@ClearMindJewellery]

"Didn't work" as in? What did the casts end up looking like?

[@itailu]

@@ClearMindJewellery type filled with silver. holes. broken parts.

[@von2782]

I think I got a knockoff kaya cast. It says vevor on the side. Anyone know?

[@ClearMindJewellery]

Do you mean vigor? If so it’s an older model. If not then probably a knock off.

[@sonnycrackel]

is there a reputable seller stateside that sells these? I’m wary of ordering it from China.

[@ClearMindJewellery]

We actually just got signed up as an affiliate with Pepe Tools today. The link is in the video description. They are an American retailer.

[@chrizzain]

If it's coming from China, it's a counterfeit. I second Pepe Tools

[@fl4ke]

I have similar machine that has been sitting for a while. Now when I use the vacuum table it works fine but once the pressure starts to release, there is oil coming from the air hose. There should be a valve somewhere between the pump and the table right? I haven't been able to locate it. Any ideas?

[@ClearMindJewellery]

We've never had to get inside the machine as its continued to work correctly for us since we got it. Sorry.

[@fl4ke]

@@ClearMindJewellery thanks for the reply! I finally figured it out. Someone had opened the machine before and had connected the hoses wrong way. In vacuum release position, it was actually sucking air from the pump. Took me too long to figure it out. 🙂

[@hectorlopes1592]

Great

[@belminredzic301]

where can i buy that oil thanks

[@ClearMindJewellery]

Any auto shop should have the referenced flushing oil

[@VelianoandCo]

Where can I grab the oil? The one mines came with was an empty bottle @clearmindjewery