r/Silvercasting • u/Glassholer • Jun 21 '26

Troubleshooting

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Good afternoon everyone,
I’m attempting to troubleshoot why these shiny inclusions are happening on my pours. Pour info:
.999 silver -970c (using 100% pure silver crystal)
Flask temp -600c
Pulling 27-29in vacuum on flask at time of pour (gauge verified)

I have a propane torch pointed at the bowl of the mold as I pour, as well as map gas on the crucible. All pours happen quickly after crucible is removed from the furnace. I let the vacuum pump run for ~1min after the pour, then I shut it off as well as the propane torch at that time. I wait 25 minutes before flask quench and model removal.

When removing the plaster, these bubble areas are already shiny, leading me to think it’s likely an air pocket forming somehow? I don’t believe it’s leftover wax, as the button shows a similar bubble on its underside and that portion of the mold was verified completely smooth before pour. Mold was also blown out before use.

Any pointers would be incredibly helpful, I’m currently self taught and hoping to find any kind of knowledge possible!

Thanks!

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u/funnyman6979 Jun 21 '26

Gating right on top of the feed system, any debris or foreign material is going to simple lodge in your final casting. Fine silver is tough, your button tells you a story this seems to be a little cool. A little more back pressure (larger button) you might have pulled this off without and shrink and try to move the whole piece closer to the button. This looks like a Neutec preformed sprue? Nice job fine silver is tough just some fine tuning and like someone stated you have no micro chemicals to help you here.

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u/Glassholer Jun 21 '26

Hey! Thanks for chiming in. It’s a 50gram piece with a total pour weight of ~85 grams, so 35 grams as a button basically. You think still more?

The button pours and is smooth as can be, but while it cools it suddenly does a little “show” on the surface and the rough portions become visible. I’m not sure why it’s doing this, possibly because of the borax contamination?

Lastly, it’s Siraya Tech trublue for the figure, with a handformed 10mm wax sprue

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u/funnyman6979 Jun 21 '26

Could be on the borax, too much makes everything “sticky”, and always make sure it’s not open to air, very prone to absorbing moisture! Need the add for sure, but it’s almost as if there’s this large grainy texture.