projects 1,2,3...
Charcoal Casting
A great way to create a textured feature element not to mention a good way to use up your scrap is a flat-sided casting using charcoal.
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1.Taking a jeweler’s compressed charcoal block (much denser than regular charcoal) you carve a simple design into your block. Make an indented “shelf” first and then your design. This gives the molten metal a place to puddle.
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2.Pile bits of silver scrap on top of the mold.
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3.Torch the pile until you get a molten ball.
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4.Come in with a second block and press the ball into the mold.
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5.Let it cool for a few seconds and lift the block.
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6.Pry the cast out with a solder pick.
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7.Quench the cast.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
A simple design makes a more successful casting.
Guestimate the amount a scrap to place in the mold.
The molten ball.
Come in with your block while the ball is hot. Timing is everything.
The newly cast design.
Multiple casts can be done before the charcoal carving starts to degrade. In this example I am making links for a bracelet with three alternating designs.
Tools:
Charcoal blocks
Torch
Dental tools for carving
Materials:
Scrap sterling
The finished bracelet before being tumbled. Cast links are alternated with fused wire links.
Compressed charcoal, about $9.00 per block.