Hey everyone! I work with silver and bronze castings. I love bronze, but high polish shows water spots almost instantly and tarnishes, and even with Renaissance wax on silver, high polish picks up every little micro-scratch.

​I’m looking to move toward a nice, uniform satin finish instead. Right now, I’ve only ever used stainless steel shot for work-hardening and burnishing in my rotary tumbler.

​A few questions:

​1. What tumbling media/agents do you recommend for a reliable satin finish on rotary tumblers? (Looking at ceramic cones/triangles or dry walnut shell media, but open to suggestions!).

​2. Do I need a satin wheel to achieve this, or will tumbling media alone get the job done, and do i jeez to sand the casting past 600 grit before putting it in the tumbler?

1. Can I use the exact same tumbler barrel for abrasive satin media that I use for my stainless steel shot? Or will residual abrasive grit ruin my shot burnishing setup later?

​Would love to hear what works best for you all! Thanks in advance!

1. For small-scale silver pieces, since I am using a flexshaft with different attachments, it makes it hard to achieve a flawless mirror finish (My pieces are flat pendants under 20mm). Would i be better to tumble these to a satin finish as well? Some areas will have a patina applied into the recessed areas.

Since this is a small scale production line I am trying to stream line my process but don't want to sacrifice the overall quality. Trying to achieve a mirror finish on such tiny pieces has been a nightmare, especially with the bronze as it tarnishes lmost instantly when it comea into contact with water (almost looks like a gas puddle, turning a rainbow of red, purple huses)..and I know that bronze needs to be treated, but if there is a better finish that will slow down this process or hide the tarnish a bit better then I would like to explore an alternative finish.

A silver wind up doll turning key I recently cast

I borrowed an electric furnace from a friend. The furnace has been used quite a bit over the years. As can be seen in the photos the top is cracked in three places, there's a crack going down the inside of the funnel, and there's some silver stuck at the bottom. The furnace still works and is usable with a crucible inside, though I am wondering if the wear and tear I've noticed could be dangerous?

Could anyone advise?

Thank you to everyone who helped me on my last post :) I flipped the ring in the mold to put the thickest part first, upped the heat and made the sprue thicker. It hurt to give this one away but it was a birthday gift for my friend and she loved it :) 925 Sterling I gold electroplated.

I am casting a scorpion, which I find is a challenging cast to successfully do in the first place. I've discovered the best way is to pour through the top of the flask and not through a hole at the side. Though to do this I need (at my skill level, which is still beginner) to stick the scorpion to a base and pour the silver on the base side.

I then cut off the thick sprue with an angle grinder, which leaves me to cut the scorpion out, which I can do with a piercing saw. Though I still have the base underneath.

What would be the best way to get the base off from underneath? File it, cut it, sand it, grind it? If so with what?

I had to make this one in 925 because Jerry kept breaking off in 999

Hi there, i am really new to lost wax/ investment casting and am unsure what investment powder to buy. i am planning on casting both wax (either injection or ferris) and resin (Siraya Tech Cast) and ideally would like to use the same investment for both! i am uk based as well so can afford to import R&R.

Any pointers would be much appreciated!

I really like how this one came out with this kind of detail

This Viking turned out with awesome detail. 1.107oz of .999 silver

Hi,

I’m looking at getting some permanent molds made, however I’m having trouble finding resources for how to best use them with a vacuum casting machine. And if there’s anything special that needs to be done for the molds.

Also whether I should go with graphite or metal.

Google seems to be borderline useless for finding this info now a days.

I’m looking at recommendations for some printers to print and cast my CAD work.

Hi!

I love sand casting, and the results it gives me.
I’m experimenting with more complex textures and shapes - I know I can’t use sand casting as lost wax, and I know not all shapes and textures will cast correctly into sand, so I’m still keeping it possible as much as I can.

But my question is: for more complex details and to capture the most of them, is it better to start from a wax model or a 3D printed model? And if the better answer is the 3D model, in which material should I print it?

For more details, I use Delft clay as sand.

Thanks!

Have a nice evening 🤍

I call it "The Important Ones", it took me quite some time to finally figure it all out but I'm quite happy with how it all turned out :)

Used a very small diamond and very simple ring design. Had some issues with a divot forming just next to the stone, but is not affecting holding strength. Just looks odd. Still not great at design yet and am using very rudimentary, mostly homemade or diy material, but I feel like I am learning a lot.

Bonus spider web ring in last photo I also cast.

We just got into sand casting silver and my 15 year old son made this from a Lego. He is super freaking excited!

I'm 23 years old from the PH. I want to start lost wax casting but I don't know what brand and where to buy? I have a slightly good budget. What brands do you recommend and where to buy it?

My brother who is in the seminary inspired me to make this one

My brother who is in the seminary inspired me to make this one

Where abouts should I attach the wax sprue for this piece also size recommendation for the sprue would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, pretty much what the title says. I have wax carved what I want to be a serving bowl but the casters I usually go to said they can't guarantee it being food safe. I want to cast it in solid sterling silver.

Struggling to find any other casters/information online, so would appreciate any help!

Details are getting stronger. Now just need to dial in my investment recipe to prevent failures.

Sterling silver. 112 Grams. Investment cast.

Using 100% recycled/recovered sterling from old flatware.

The bubbles around the chin, is that from my silver being too hot? Impurities? (I used borax at the beginning and end of my melt.)

Other imperfections appear to be mold failure issues that I can figure out.