Making a ring using the lost wax casting process.

A Vintage Jewelers and Gifts “How it’s Made” video showing the lost wax casting process we used to make this 14k white gold and diamond custom ring!

[@crystalclear652]

I am a Jeweler and this still mesmerized me. Your stone setting is impeccable!! The vacuum was different than ours and I learned something new. 👏

[@tallisholowka3946]

This is very similar to the way it was taught to me in college, except we used a torch to melt the metal rather than a furnace. Such a fun class! Thanks for the refresher!

[@edwardcottman743]

What a nice jewelry piece! I used to own fine jewelry operation in California. Your process was really nice-what a saw you do was awesome I went through GIA in the 80s, and met plenty of lost wax people in my day. But thank god for KZbin....because I gotta eye load. Thanks Guy! You're really good at your craft.

[@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor]

Great to hear from another California jeweler! Where were you located?

[@rudyciscato6330]

Fantastic video. I really enjoyed and you made so simple and perfect!

[@mJones6]

I am getting going in garage. I can weld and a decent sculptor but never anything this small. Tedious process as well but it’s making me more methodical which I need. I have a centrifuge and a similar furnace. Getting started. Thanks for the videos

[@blindman6022]

Beautiful! Beautiful!

[@kodokappsmobileappssolutio330]

After watching do many videos of this sort your video ends my bewilderness. LOL. "Lost wax" is the keyword I've been wondering about. Not everyone is so smart to figure that out, I'm one. Thanks for the helpful captions.

[@gyorgynagy1682]

Beautiful ring😍

[@foxqueenhoperip]

Wow that's so amazing

[@chrissilliker8633]

Love your music

[@beefsoda1]

Fascinating

[@MrDutchman100]

Stunning I hope I’m that good

[@JasonPutschker-xw9uf]

I like this process more than the rest

[@leeferris5940]

An explanation of the process at each step would be invaluable!

[@NSarg04]

He did. Its in the text

[@petanquefans3120]

Oui on connaît pas le temps de chauffe au four....

[@minakshichannel8624]

Nice.

[@davidho7744]

Howdy howdy! I've been looking to do some black Friday shopping and I like the equipment workflow you have. Is their a supplier you could list or did you purchase the equipment overtime at different places?

[@rubencamacho1900]

good video I just wanted to ask you at what temperature did you melt the white gold in the little furnace. thank you

[@00011theman]

I have the exact same kiln with the same Auber PID controller, haha crazy

[@rayr268]

amazing, do you work inside your house? I like the stainless gear.

[@KaloosaKennels]

Would it be too intimate to ask for a detailed list of all equipment and tools

[@gryphongoldco.1175]

What he said ^^

[@jwatrous4473]

Gomeowcreations on KZbin has been super helpful to me. I haven't quite started the hobby yet but I'm gearing up to do so and he's my go to. Considering this comment is a year old, you might already have the info. But those of you who need it now, he's really aided me and my husband in this lost casting endeavor

[@DimCartierMAISONNOIRPARIS]

@@jwatrous4473 you’re the best thanks

[@victoriaolson8985]

odd that has not been offered upfront

[@eddycheung4693]

​@@jwatrous4473but I don't think that is ab authentic Kaya Cast machine

[@MrLuvbizwar]

Nice! Do you have a video discussing how to mix the gold and silver, such as ratio?

[@arcticserpent]

This was white gold; you don't mix gold and silver.

[@marvinearl3423]

Usually, the silver content in 18K yellow gold can vary between 10% and 13%. A typical 18-karat yellow gold alloy contains the following metals: 75% gold, 12.5% copper, and 12.5% silver. Another common 18-karat alloy contains the same metals in the following proportions: 75% gold, 15% copper, and 10% silver

[@Lk1ization]

Hey Pal, I learned so much from this video. Thank You. I truly appreciate it. Can i ask you a question after the final completion of the product how much Gold did it weigh in total ?

[@kareembashir88]

How do you know if a kiln has a burn out cycle before buying it did you have to program it ? How did you go around it when u first invested into it ?

[@eloufirjawad]

Great video! How long does it take to get the final product once you have the mold?

[@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor]

I let the kiln run overnight to burnout the model then cast in the morning. Then the ring needs to be cleaned up, pre polished, stones set, a final polish and in the case of white gold, a rhodium plating. Simple castings I can finish within a few hours, but castings with complex setting can take a few days to finish up.

[@The-Magnate-Effect]

I would to learn this. What would it cost me for private lessons ?

[@customjawnz8841]

he beat the shit outta that vacuum. I'm buying one next payday. I'll beat mines the same.

[@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor]

Lol, it gets the job done :)

[@senghoucheong666]

What's the final temperature for the casting? Thank you

[@okayokay2010]

Great video thank you, how long did you wait when you took the flask from the kiln to the cold water? Please

[@bezeir]

Just wait 2-3 minutes

[@lillianaestrada5391]

Hello, I was watching your videos great work btw. I am trying to do gold charm 18K ? is there any way you can do a video

[@moniquejohnson1822]

May I ask how you created the ring model?

[@GMezzacapo1]

Nice Cast, How much time do you degas after the plaster boil in the flask? thanks

[@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor]

I usually mix for two mins, then degas the plaster before I pour it into the flask, for about two mins, then pour into the flask and degas another two mins or so. About 6-7 mins to invest total.

[@2groomonline]

Do you run a training on jewelry casting

[@catherinebarrero4309]

Ese yeso se puede volver a utilizar Es decir filtrar de alguna manera para reutilizar

[@adamh7947]

How did the molten gold enter the void? Was there a small hole of some sort? I missed that detail - thank you

[@theogmrbill1]

What is the hammer drill you used to cut and set the stone with the thing that made all the clicking

[@nikoconcarne]

that is a pneumatic engraving tool.

[@TheRoadtoGonzo]

What model paragon kiln is that and do you have to vent your space at all when burning out or melting the metal?

[@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor]

I’m not sure about the model, but I modified it to use a digital temperature controller that’s capable of temperature ramping. There is a fume hood directly above the kiln and electric crucible that vents to the outside.

[@sitgesvillaapartmentneilsc7924]

Excellent video, My daughter is now doing at university a design and fabrication degree, basically she will come out with a silversmith and or goldsmith, one of the things she is worried about is that they do not seem to want to do very much casting , we live in spain, its quite weird here in the "arts" , anyway she is a little worried that she will have the degree but not a huge amount of experience in this type of work which is primarily what she intends to do. You obviously have an awful lot of equipment here and I have a few questions please, first of all is on the vacuum machine, I understand the process of how you remove the air from the mould with the bell cover on the vacuum pump but I dont understand how when you pour molten gold into the mould on that machine what is does then, I though it pulled it under a vacuum but you dont cover the crucible, is it possible to explain that part of the process please. Also the kit you have adds up to quite an investment, burn out kiln, electric furnace, vacuum and casting machine , ultra sound bath. i have the last piece and I want to try and help my daughter so she can practice at home and gain experience. Of those tools are they all totally essential to make a casting? The kiln I would say yes as it can be used for a lot of other jobs as well, the vacuum and Casting machine I am not sure about, over here in spain this retails at 700 euros more or less I can buy a purely vacuum pump with vessel and valves etc for 99 euros , its made by the same people who make the big machine, Vevor. It purely removes the air from the investment mould by utilising a steel vessel, polycarbonate lid with valves and seal etc, you would not be able to use it for the casting though as it would be too slow to do what ever your machine does. I can though pick up a centrifuge for around 100 euros or do you think your machine is 100% essential for a new jeweller to get for casting or would using a vacuum pump be enough to remove the air from the investment and the centrifuge to cast. Moving on the furnace is obviously a sort of a nice way to melt the precious metals but I have gas tanks that run air oxygen and propane mic, I also have acetylene but i wouldn't like that in the workshop down stairs, that gas is inherently dangerous. Propane and oxygen will certainly melt silver, gold i don't know the melting temperature as i type this, as a student she is using silver a lot because of its cost over Gold. the iltrasound bath i actually have and can see its put to good use to remove the investment material, I also have a polishing machine, several dremels and a ceiling mounted type dremel as well for finishing, georgie does know the process as she made a gorgeous ring but they did not cast it at uni, the wax impression was sent away and the cast was returned a few days later. Im trying really to set up for her a space in the home workshop where she can feel she can do a lot more work that she is doing at university and possibly earn some money on the side whhile she does her degree. I have already built a proper heavy Jewellery table in the typical fashion with all the drawess, cut out area and bar for you feet and lockers underneath and she loves that, They were silly money to buy and as a carpenter it was easy to make one. Would you please mind helping me out here and advising me on where i should put my money and explain the use of the main machine and how it works on the casting sie as i dont understand what its doing or how it does it. Hopefully you have some time to answer my questions, this is going to be a total surprise for Christmas, her very own workstation, I also have from the us the tiny gas soldering system which is lovely but for melting silver i have a larger tank array and torch if necessary. I dont mind investing the money if its all absolutly necessary , I would prefer to do it in smaller chunks if thats possible. Many thanks and the ring was quite beautiful finished.

[@colourboots]

you sound like a wonderful dad! 😊

[@NewLife-qj9mx]

My recommended casting temp is 900° f and my flask comes out of the kiln glowing red hot - obviously something is wrong with my temperature controller. 🤔 Great video, thank you for sharing 👍

[@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor]

It's been years, but somewhere on the internet I found instructions and converted this kiln from a standard rheostat to a Programable digital controller with thermocouple. It's was a big improvement as the temperature is accurate and it can ramp up now. I bought from PID, SSR and thermocouple from www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsdiTBhD5ARIsAIpW8CJSgTWEtGWG_m2BRed18OmlFHqaGG-K-nrURFVrajq-hdinWUIFIfIaAlWeEALw_wcB

[@macykeovilay6010]

Hi i have a question if you can help me, if the investment isn't mixed properly will you not get that suction pulling the metal through casting? I'm having a problem I cannot seem to figure out, I just purchased the dura bull which is identical to the kaya cast.

[@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor]

I use a 39:1 ratio. I Doubt it’s the investment ratio though, probably the seal around the flask. However I did have a problem with the flask one time. The flask had developed a small crack around the lip and wasn’t drawing the suction through the investment. Thought it was a problem with my vacuum for a few casting until I figured it out.

[@free_spirit1]

Thank you so much for this detailed video. Could you give us an idea of the minimum wall thickness that can be cast?

[@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor]

.3 mm would be the minimum I would make anything to cast, however I prefer thicker if possible.

[@Preacher_.]

I have a silver ring from my father that's unlike anything I've ever seen anywhere else. It looks like a thin round silver band (like a single band of a keychain ring) with silver dripped over it in a cool almost eye shaped pattern on the top, with a hole through some parts, and silver overlapping itself on others. There's tons of little crevasses and buldges down the side and literaly looks like silver dripped down the sides. He had told me it was a dripped silver ring that he made in his 20's but I never got to ask him more about it before he passed. Is this basically the processed he used, but instead of a carved wax mold, he just dripped wax over a band of wax? It seriously looks like someone just painted/dripped a plain, thin silver band with molten silver, is that something people can do? Or do you think the processed you used sounds more likely? Wish I could post pictures.

[@davedoessomestuff8176]

That sounds like a very very cool ring. Thank you for sharing.

[@bezeir]

Post a video and we can maybe help you discover the process.

[@Preacher_.]

@@bezeir wow.. that's actually a great idea and I have no idea why I didn't think of that!

[@lucawendel7644]

Yes i do this process by dripping the wax onto a band and using that as a mold. You can make dents into the band to make the wax droplets sit better and they should be just around the melting point so they cool off very fast.

[@moisesojeda5647]

Whats the name of your mini furnace?

[@chandandhar6897]

brother can you please tell me how much time did you use for burnout in the kiln ? please reply me

[@SOS2095]

at what temperature did you melt the gold pls

[@QTheMost]

Whats that bit your using to polish at 5:27? Ive looked everywhere for something like that lol

[@obgow1]

It’s a miniature Muslim buff.

[@brockquattlebaum6792]

Could you leave a link to where i can buy your vacuum machine for when you pour the metal in the mold?

[@Commonsensenotsocommon]

www.cousinsuk.com/product/arbe-usa-casting-machine If you are in the UK. You can also get a very similar machine , made in China for much less. I have one and it does the job!

[@moisesojeda5647]

@@Commonsensenotsocommon Do you also have a link for the little furnace, something similar.?

[@alexanderlubicich4154]

I noticed the flask comes out of the kiln hole side up, but goes in with the hole down. At what point does it get flipped?

[@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor]

I pull the flask out of the kiln a few minutes before casting to inspect it to make sure the model has burned out completely. Then I put it back in to with the hole on the top, so it’s ready to pick up and set into the vacuum caster.

[@DustinRokicki]

I am interested in having a ring commissioned... are you taking clients?

[@iso_lierung]

What are the tubes with the holes in it called? The ones where he punts the wax ring with the investment

[@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor]

It’s called a casting flask. It allows the vacuum to draw the air through the mold.

[@leifbergado6125]

where can i buy the equipments?

[@Jsongsz23]

what is the machines needed

[@carlaspland3577]

What temp do you take out of burnout ? Is it 225 c ? I'm guessing so as that's what the bottom reader was showing or have I miss read it ?

[@obgow1]

One of my digits on the PID controller stopped working right after I installed it. It’s 1225 Fahrenheit.

[@hughjanus1135]

What brand is your furnace to melt gold ?I want to melt copper

[@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor]

Not sure, bought it off of eBay.

[@Xxstephenx1x]

it's funny picture the first 5 sec what he'd doing attaching the ring indo with wax crowns I use the same pyramid thing put it in a plastic ring pair the stone in then ment the wax out then shoot the metal in the same profess is used to make de tal lab crowns and thats what I do im a lab tech in learning I just need to know to how to make a mold of the ring I want.

[@KyleTO7]

Can you not use the burnout oven to also melt the metal? Instead of using both the burnout oven and the mini furnace. I'm looking to start up a jewellery business and trying to get by with the cheapest/less equipment. I have a silversmithing and lapidary studio so I don't wanna get to overwhelmed with machines and tools 😜.

[@samellowery]

4months late but the idea behind using both a furnace and kiln is so the mould is up to the temperature of the metal to get a good pour with no cold spots in the mould for consistent results.

[@KyleTO7]

@@samellowery okay thanks :) I get you, the molds gotta be hot still. Just like when pouring an ingot.

[@diego9886]

Hello sir My question is why don’t you set the stones before the casting ? Or is it because the results isn’t as good ? Thanks

[@DB-zp9un]

Think that one thru... You are making a mold to cast the metal into.. There is nothing to set them in before casting.. You cant get them into the mold after you melt the model out.

[@jenl336]

Absolutely stunning! I’m new and “self taught” to jewelry making and realized i have no idea what I’m doing an bought the wrong things. 😆 i was wondering how i was going to remove an intricate wax ring mold from the delft clay 🤦‍♀️so scratch that. Lol what kind of plaster do you recommend and do i need a kiln? Do you have any other suggestions? I don’t want to spend too much money trying this. So if it’s not possible, i wont be offended. Upset, but thats ok. 😊 TIA!!

[@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor]

It’s possible to cast using less expensive methods like sand casting, however to achieve the detail needed in these designs it does require some investment into the equipment.

[@jenl336]

@@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor that’s what I figured. Thanks for responding!

[@sitgesvillaapartmentneilsc7924]

@@jenl336 how about using a centrifuge instead of a vacuum cast

[@tammywhittenham543]

Hi could you tell me how the metal flows into the mold without breath holes in the mold itself, like you do with delt clay?

[@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor]

The metal is poured into the mold from the top, through a sprue to reach the negative void. The mold is a plaster called investment that is porus enough to allow the vacuum to suck air through the mold.

[@tammywhittenham543]

Thank you very much for letting me know so quickly. I tried to do it today but the white gold just didn't flow properly. It might have been the fact that my sprue was not wide enough for the metal to flow.

[@riffle12345]

@@tammywhittenham543 add a little borax to the gold before putting it in the smelter. Borax allows molten gold to flow more freely.

[@tammywhittenham543]

Thank you very much

[@Asolapao]

at minute 0:34 what powder are you using to pour surround the wax

[@itailu]

very nice! what resin is this and what's you burn cycle? :)

[@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor]

Thanks, this was the solus emerald green resin, but we’ve since switched to X-one castable resin. I get good results using the 12 hour burn out cycle recommended by plasticast. Some casting with resin use shorter burnouts, but since I let it burn out overnight, the longer burnout time is not an issue.

[@borisouedraogo7479]

Thanks for sharing! At what temperature do you burn out the wax model?

[@yasmani421]

how do you calculate the amount of gold needed per ring any karat and if the same calculation applies for silver?

[@lordsathariel4384]

im rather new to making jewellery but my grandfather always taught me to have a little extra then what i think i need cus you will probably need that little extra

[@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor]

So every metal alloy usually has a density/specific gravity specs provided by the manufacturer. If you weigh your wax model and sprue before casting then multiply that by the S.G. It will give you the amount of metal you need to use for the casting. Example: Model and sprue weigh 2 grams and the 14k gold has a specific gravity of 12.6. So, 2g x 12.6= 25.2 grams of 14k would be needed. Also I usually add a few more grams for the button.

[@shoegum7362]

@@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsorthen how much does the resulting ring weigh and the leftover sprue?

[@HeinHtetAungJames]

Hi I don't understand one thing. When you put the flask into the kiln at first the flask was upside down but when you took out the hole was up top. Did you change it in between?

[@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor]

Yes, we did flip it. Having the flask upright, makes it so it’s easier to grip it at the top, so the flask can be placed into the vacuum chamber.

[@HeinHtetAungJames]

@@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor Thank you for the reply.

[@XMooseManX]

Please how long do you degas?

[@throesofrejection4012]

How big is that flask

[@benhail3624]

How much would you charge me to do a lost wax cast of a small trinket if i was to send it to you made out of the wax product of your choice? It would not need to be perfect. In fact some air bubles and imperfections would be what I would prefer.

[@buntwant]

Can you provide the nams of the machines

[@shoegum7362]

What was the weight of the ring?

[@emstudiopremiumcollectible6408]

Do you work in a garage?

[@InitiallyJB]

Do you use borax or any flux with the smelting of the gold

[@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor]

No, it’s not necessary to use flux with the graphite crucible of the electromelter. It’s actually better, since you won’t get flux contamination in your casting. I just clean the gold casting sprues really well that get recast along with the new casting grain.

[@InitiallyJB]

@@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor ok thx buddy

[@lilablassblau6481]

How did the wax disappear in the mold?

[@DB-zp9un]

The furnace he puts in it melts it out.

[@user-tk5yg6re5x]

Oven pelelehan lilin minimal berapa derajat mister? Saya dari Indonesia

[@ruponbarmon877]

What is the price of meshing I want to buy

[@throesofrejection4012]

So in theory could I dewax with steam, and put the investment in a propane forge to get up to temp to pour.. dont have a kiln

[@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor]

Yes, if you’re using wax models you could use steam de-wax it. I suppose it could be done, but I doubt you would achieve very good consistent results using a propane torch to burn out the mold. Investment breakdown, incomplete burnout, mold cracking, partial fill, and porosity are just a few problems that can occur.

[@dannobaxman9309]

Tinnitus alert at 1:07

[@user-qr9rl4zf5u]

جميل جداً

[@Kartoongg]

I thought he was playing Hungry Hungry Hippo

[@user-yw6nf9bn3i]

Hello Ripley plz

[@rafalwielgosz3055]

I came across this movie by accident, and I tried very hard not to comment on it, but I can't, first of all, this ring should cost tens of thousands of dollars, because to run a melting furnace for 20 grams of gold??? second to use such a large flask for one ring ???? , this obviously involves the use of a very large amount of gypsum, which is a huge cost it could be done in a flask with a diameter of 40 mm and a height of 70 mm and instead of melting 30 grams of gold (no sense) you can use 10 grams and melt it with a burner in a crucible and the effect will be exactly the same

[@BoredT-Rex]

No need to pickle?

[@VintageJewelersGiftsWindsor]

Good catch. Yellow gold and Rose gold alloys definitely need to be pickled after casting, white gold usually comes out fine, but I may have pickled it, since it helps to break down any residual investment, and just not shown it in the video.

[@guswidener2854]

1:19 hang me up to dry shout out

[@bkkdaveable]

This ring represents the female form.

[@vasiliykulish3888]

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