gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on May 25, 2016 18:25:54 GMT -5
There seems to be renewed activity in this thread, with some really fine work being shown. I haven't been active in jewelry metal work recently for a couple of reasons. My workshop isn't functional at present, mainly due to entropy and lack of adequate space. And I've been seriously ill but am recovering day by day. I'm working hard to get my shop operational again as energy permits. Anyhow I thought I'd post a few of my past projects, partly as a way of lighting a fire under myself to get going on the dozens of designs that are bouncing around in my head. 14 KY Gold Pendant With Mintabie Crystal Opal Lady’s Fire Agate Ring, 14KY Fire Agate Ring #2 Fire Agate Ring #3 Top View 14 KY Gold Pendnt Set With Self-Faceted Amethyst & Green Garnet
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Post by Pat on May 25, 2016 18:32:52 GMT -5
Beautiful work! Hope you are feeling better day by day.
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Post by rockjunquie on May 25, 2016 18:41:29 GMT -5
Nice work! But, I bet your best work is ahead of you. Hope you're feeling up to it soon.
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Post by orrum on May 25, 2016 20:22:25 GMT -5
Gold wow! OK it's the first, I am a suckered for opal!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2016 20:45:46 GMT -5
Very very nice. Do you use the lost wax process for that?
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Post by MrP on May 25, 2016 20:59:11 GMT -5
Very nice work!!!!!!!!!!!!!...........MrP
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2016 21:12:59 GMT -5
Ahhh!!!!now we're talking!!spectacular work,I have actually been commissioned to do two gold rings and a pendant.a lot easier to stomach if someone else is flipping the bill for the shiny stuff. Dave
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on May 26, 2016 18:58:44 GMT -5
Thanks for the nice comments everyone.
Orrum: When I first started casting I didn't know what "new" gold was. I started a little stash by buying scrap rings, etc. Most of the gold in these pieces was at the "old" price of around $200-$250/oz.
jennielee: Yes, as the Subject line notes, they're lost wax castings. I noticed on another thread you've done dental casting. I think with that background you're well-equipped to focus on jewelry. Much jewelry casting technology is derived from dental casting -- I still use a lot of dental waxes and mix investment under vacuum with a mixer designed for dental use. It eliminates most of those annoying air bubbles even before vacuum debubblizing.
arrowheadave: Yes, at today's gold prices working on a guaranteed price basis for commissioned work is pretty much necessary. On the bright side, if a client rejects the piece gold is easily recyclable.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2016 20:51:23 GMT -5
Thanks for the nice comments everyone. jennielee: Yes, as the Subject line notes, they're lost wax castings. I noticed on another thread you've done dental casting. I think with that background you're well-equipped to focus on jewelry. Much jewelry casting technology is derived from dental casting -- I still use a lot of dental waxes and mix investment under vacuum with a mixer designed for dental use. It eliminates most of those annoying air bubbles even before vacuum debubblizing. Well, you are doing it right. I only say that because the dental investment and wax's are designed to burn and cure without any size distortion. Do you use a vibrating plate when you invest? If not, you might want to look into it. It really helps with the bubbles. Also get a little spray bottle with some dawn and water and spritz the wax piece right before you invest. The soapy spray helps to kill bubbling.
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on May 26, 2016 22:23:28 GMT -5
Yes, I use a commercial debubblizer to paint the waxes but no vibration. I pull out all remaining air after mixing under a bell jar with vacuum. I don't use dental investment, just the stuff that's already expensive enough from jewelry supply houses.
Re: waxes, I use various brands: Ferris, Vigor, Newall, Matt, Kerr and others depending on the use. My injection waxes for rubber molds came from Rio Grande. Unfortunately there always seems to be some shrinkage from wax to metal because metals are less dense as a liquid than a solid, so during solidification the metal density dramatically increases. If there's a way around that I'd like to know about it, especially for making cast stone settings.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2016 23:11:57 GMT -5
What is your process? <im asking cause what I learned in the lab might be different then what you do>
For example, when I would make a full gold crown I would do the wax up, sprue it,and use dental investment. We had a machine that would automatically measure out of plaster, vacuum out air, add water, and mix. I realize that machine is impracticable for you because of the cost.
Then I would put the plug in a 'minikiln' top side down <so the wax drips down out of the sprue hole>. I dont remember the temp the kiln was set to, but it was enough that the wax would vaporize with no ash.
I realize dental grade materials cost a premium since you have to have balls-on accuracy. But if you check out different dental lab supply sites, you might find some prepacked investment mixes where all you have to do is add water.
As far as waxes, IMO it does not matter as long as your kiln is hot enough to vape the wax.
regarding " there always seems to be some shrinkage from wax to metal because metals are less dense as a liquid than a solid" ^It's all about the investment mix you use. Try a dental grade packet. Remember, dental needs to be more precise then a jeweler.
And get a vibe plate. It makes the plaster flow like water off a ducks back.
-Jenn
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on May 27, 2016 19:41:55 GMT -5
Jenn, my casting process has served me pretty well for over 35 years now and has been nicely profitable. I've developed some work-arounds for dealing with metal shrinkage without using dental-grade products. As for a vibe plate, I don't have a problem with bubbles so why bother? I also have a vibrasonic tumbler I used as a handy if slightly unorthodox "vibe plate" before I put my vacuum system together. Re: burn-out, I use an oldie but goodie Swest Programmed Therminder that allows automated overnight stepped burn-outs. I just set the program, pop the flasks into the furnace at night, and they're held at casting temperature in the morning, ready to spin in my Neycraft. The only piece of new equipment I'm currently considering is a digital electric melting furnace. Let's see some of your jewelry creations...but nothing that looks like teeth, now!
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ol3m3
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Post by ol3m3 on May 28, 2016 15:24:48 GMT -5
are you using a wax gun to make your models? what is the process of making your models.
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on May 28, 2016 15:51:10 GMT -5
are you using a wax gun to make your models? what is the process of making your models. The pieces shown here were modeled with a Matt gun. You have to be VERY careful about finished gold weight with that method or costs can get far out of hand. But I use every technique I can think of: carving, build-up, sometimes even 2-stage pieces, part cast and part fabricated. But I'm way behind the curve on computer-assisted model making.
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on May 29, 2016 5:47:16 GMT -5
Wow, they have flair! I like the fire-agate pieces the best.
Casting ... not something I've clicked with just yet. Work in progress.
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