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G’day folks,

A new TGT for you on the vacuum casting machine I use for investment casting, do please enjoy!

Also, I have put together a selection of hi-res pics of the finished casting as wallpapers, so if you’re looking to brighten up your desktop with something new, then be sure to check them out. (zip file link below this post.)

Cheers, Chris.

Edit: Drawings for the adapter plates: https://www.patreon.com/file?h=51956266&i=8862559

Direct links to the video -

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/557740852/0a16c78b16

Youtube: https://youtu.be/rSLf3MktrvY

-------------- Video Notes: ---------------

Source Information for the design:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGNnH_xbjR4&t=761s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdxiZs0MDbs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RThrVi5q-f8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0yvtw9ERGc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BikL2yIDic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBWHt5Pt5rI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFrWtjMBk7k

Component links:

Vacuum Chamber: https://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Stainless-Stabilizing-Degassing-Silicones/dp/B08YX4V31F/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=vacuum+chamber&qid=1622438130&sr=8-8

Vacuum Pump: http://www.jbind.com/products/product-search-detail.aspx?SKU=DV-6E-250

Neutec Flanged Flasks: https://www.riogrande.com/product/neutec-superperf-flanged-flasks-with-cross-bars/702184ngp

Gaskets: https://www.riogrande.com/product/silicone-flask-gaskets/710390gp

https://contenti.com/silicone-rubber-gaskets

Sprue Bases: https://www.riogrande.com/product/rubber-round-button-c-style-sprue-bases/702706gp

Certus Optima Investment: https://www.certus-int.com/optima

Model Links

Leon: https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/art/leon-tedalvarez

Oil Lamp Base & Body .stl files: https://www.patreon.com/file?h=51956266&i=8151182

Small to medium studio & home shop vacuum casting machines for comparison:

https://www.riogrande.com/product/rio-vacuum-casting-and-investing-machine/705108

https://www.riogrande.com/product/dura-bull-tabletop-vacuum-investing-and-casting-machine-system/704303

https://www.riogrande.com/product/v-i-c-9-tabletop-casting-machines/705107gp

https://www.riogrande.com/product/v-i-c-12-tabletop-solid-and-perforated-flask-casting-machines/705118gp

(Amazon Affiliate links to items used in this video)

Cameras:

Panasonic GH5 - https://amzn.to/2rEzhh2

Panasonic X920 - https://amzn.to/2wzxxdT

Tools & Shop Products:

Optivisor Headband Magnifier: http://amzn.to/2HFg1FU

Norton 1-by-2-by-8-Inch Fine/Coarse India Combination Oilstone, Red: http://amzn.to/2tTEPb0

Digital Caliper 6 inch/150 mm Electronic Vernier Calipers: https://amzn.to/2EArNRU

Generic Dial Indicator 0.001": http://amzn.to/2FOFTyF

Interapid Dial Test Indicator: http://amzn.to/2FPInwH

Saint Gobain (Norton) - 4 Arkansas Stones + case: http://amzn.to/2HCOAMX

Blazer GB2001 Self-Igniting Butane Micro-Torch: https://amzn.to/3f5Gzlh

Consumables:

Tix Solder: http://amzn.to/2G4lUiE

Tix Flux 1/2oz: http://amzn.to/2G85OEZ

Blue Matador Abrasive Paper: https://amzn.to/2IAFiBT

Files

Tools, Glorious Tools! #11 - The Vacuum Casting Machine

G’day folks, A new TGT for you on the vacuum casting machine I use for lost resin casting, do please enjoy! Cheers, Chris. A very special thank you to Patrons: Sinking Valley Woodworks (http://www.sinkingvalleywoodworks.com) Glenn Trewitt Mike Manfrin Christopher Warnock Guy Loughridge Charles Frodsham & Co. Peter John Richardson Adam Slagle Tim Bray Dan Keen Samuel Irons Sean Kuyper Matteo Neville Daniel Cohen Larry Pardi Olof Haggren Stassinopoulos Thomas Florian Ragwitz Andrew Smith Bernd Fischer Sam Towne Jack Cause Jeremiah G. Mort Andre van Soest Matthew Middleton Thomas Veilleux Dave Seff Robin Haerens L'Enfant Watch Company C. A. Patrick Voigt Mark Coburn Bogdan Dan Steven R. Crider Gary Levario Pete Askew Jeff Armstrong Rudolph Bescherer Jr Robert Petz Ralph McCoy Jim Popwell Kaedenn Bradley Pirtle Alan Carey PaxAndromeda John A McCormick Thomas Eriksen Michael Hardel Tim Ball Dominik Rogala Xanadu-King Eric Witte Peter Grant Michener Jonathan Teegarden Steve Hossner RuKiddin06 RobinP556 -------------- Video Notes: --------------- Reference/Source Information for the design: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGNnH_xbjR4&t=761s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdxiZs0MDbs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RThrVi5q-f8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0yvtw9ERGc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BikL2yIDic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBWHt5Pt5rI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFrWtjMBk7k Component links: Vacuum Chamber: https://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Stainless-Stabilizing-Degassing-Silicones/dp/B08YX4V31F/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=vacuum+chamber&qid=1622438130&sr=8-8 Vacuum Pump: http://www.jbind.com/products/product-search-detail.aspx?SKU=DV-6E-250 Neutec Flanged Flasks: https://www.riogrande.com/product/neutec-superperf-flanged-flasks-with-cross-bars/702184ngp Gaskets: https://www.riogrande.com/product/silicone-flask-gaskets/710390gp https://contenti.com/silicone-rubber-gaskets Sprue Bases: https://www.riogrande.com/product/rubber-round-button-c-style-sprue-bases/702706gp Certus Optima Investment: https://www.certus-int.com/optima Model Links Leon: https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/art/leon-tedalvarez Oil Lamp Base & Body .stl files: https://www.patreon.com/file?h=51956266&i=8151182 Small to medium studio & home shop vacuum casting machines for comparison: https://www.riogrande.com/product/rio-vacuum-casting-and-investing-machine/705108 https://www.riogrande.com/product/dura-bull-tabletop-vacuum-investing-and-casting-machine-system/704303 https://www.riogrande.com/product/v-i-c-9-tabletop-casting-machines/705107gp https://www.riogrande.com/product/v-i-c-12-tabletop-solid-and-perforated-flask-casting-machines/705118gp (Amazon Affiliate links to items used in this video) Cameras: Panasonic GH5 - https://amzn.to/2rEzhh2 Panasonic X920 - https://amzn.to/2wzxxdT Tools & Shop Products: Optivisor Headband Magnifier: http://amzn.to/2HFg1FU Norton 1-by-2-by-8-Inch Fine/Coarse India Combination Oilstone, Red: http://amzn.to/2tTEPb0 Digital Caliper 6 inch/150 mm Electronic Vernier Calipers: https://amzn.to/2EArNRU Generic Dial Indicator 0.001": http://amzn.to/2FOFTyF Interapid Dial Test Indicator: http://amzn.to/2FPInwH Saint Gobain (Norton) - 4 Arkansas Stones + case: http://amzn.to/2HCOAMX Blazer GB2001 Self-Igniting Butane Micro-Torch: https://amzn.to/3f5Gzlh Consumables: Tix Solder: http://amzn.to/2G4lUiE Tix Flux 1/2oz: http://amzn.to/2G85OEZ Blue Matador Abrasive Paper: https://amzn.to/2IAFiBT

Comments

Gary Johnson

As usual, an excellent video on the subject and I can't wait to see what else you have planned for it.

Jeff Armstrong

Fluked it as the first comment (or so I thought). I've got a Greek lamp I got in Athens a couple of years ago but I still have not found a good wick for it. It is smaller than your lamp so the cotton rope you appear to have used is not suitable for me.

John S Dilsaver

I've been looking forward to this, thanks!

clickspring

I was surprised at how nicely olive oil burns, although Mrs Clickspring not so impressed with the smell :)

Anonymous

At no point did I think this was so approachable from the perspective of the home/hobby shop! Gives me horrifying ideas.

Gabe

Hmmm. I found this one a little hard to follow. What is the "investment" referring to? Where did that first 3D print actually end up being used?

Anonymous

How did the 3D model become the mold for the brass? I'm confused, or did I miss something?

Ken Potts

Beautiful video as usual, but I'm completely lost. Why the vacuum and how was the mold made? I've done lost foam casting and I've worked with people who do investment casting but it seems like you skipped over two-thirds of the process here. Would you please have mercy on us and back up a few steps?

Anonymous

The model has a sprue and gates applied (they allow for the flow of the metal during casting, and you can see Chris cut them off after casting). You then mount the model in the empty flask, pour the investment plaster around the resin model, and allow it to cure for a few hours. It then spends hours at different temperatures in a kiln to burn out the resin and harden the investment plaster (you've now left a cavity in the flask where the model was). The burnout cycle also keeps the flask hot so the metal doesn't instantly freeze when you cast. Once the casting has cooled a bit (dependant on the metal you're casting), you put it into a bucket of water to break apart the investment and retrieve your casting. This lost wax casting process is thousands of years old, and hasn't changed dramatically over time. But as the name suggests, you lose the wax model (or resin model in this case), and making multiple castings requires multiple models to cast from.

Anonymous

Must only be polished by hand. Chris will not be held responsible for any accidents involving genies wrapped around buffing wheels.

Jonathan Numer

The vacuum helps pull the metal into the voids to avoid pits and helps the metal reach everywhere in complicated castings.

Anonymous

Please make another video on the subject and exactly what the vacuum chamber does

Jonathan Numer

Investment is a type of specialized plaster like substance that is used by pouring around the 3D Print or wax model. It hardens then you burnout the model by heating it. So the 3D print was in the white plaster and was burned out leaving the negative shape. He then poured the metal in.

Jonathan Numer

The vacuum helps pull the metal into the voids to avoid pits and helps the metal reach everywhere in complicated castings. The investment, which is a type of plaster is designed to be porous, allowing the air to be pulled through it but not the metal. A vacuum can cause suction within the whole mold and it helps pull the metal and there won't be air bubbles causing voids in the casting

Anonymous

Thanks! That makes a lot of sense

Mike Michelizzi

Beautifully done! Thanks for adding to the list of things I want to try when I have time!

Stubbs

I wish you wouldn't have skipped the moulding part. Like others, I would have very much enjoyed seeing that part

Anonymous

Beautiful work as usual! Bringing more history alive. Can't wait to see more of the process as you detail it.

LeoMakes

Amazing work (as always). Watcing this made me add one more set of tools to my "dream workshop" list!

Will Josephson

How do you get the investment material to stay in the flask? Is there a flexible cover to cover the holes in the sides?

Anonymous

Excellent video! A busman's holiday for me as I work as a metalworker at a bronze foundry.

Daniel J Bostrom

There are rubber sleeves available that wrap around the perforated section of the flask, or you could also use a wide masking tape as well. The sleeve or tape should extend well above the top of the flask to provide room for the investment (plaster) to expand while vacuuming after pouring which will help remove any bubbles stuck to or trapped in the model.

clickspring

Yes the holes are covered. There are rubber sleeves available for purchase from jeweller suppliers, but I generally use a common masking tape. I will show this part of the process in much detail in later videos - Cheers :)

Anonymous

Have you considered speaking to RotarySMP? He recently (in the last few days) released a video on investment casting the Beatles, but had some trouble. It would be interesting if you two were able to work together!

Anonymous

I can not wait for series about model preparation, investment pouring & de-waxing! :-)

Anonymous

Outstanding, Chris! This was awesome to watch. Thank you!

Leonard Solomon

Really great project, Chris. I was more relieved than disappointed, to find that you made the lion's head finial from a sculptural detail that you purchased. If you had sculpted the lion's head, along with everything else that you do, I probably would have just killed myself. I'm only kidding; nothing you will do at this point will surprise me.

John Gentzel

A gentleman named Aladdin called looking for a lamp. Nicely done :)

Kenneth Carlile

Once again, mind blowing craftsmanship. Thanks for sharing with us!

CthulhusDream

If I rub this episode enough times can I wish for more videos =D

john horton

Thanks, Chris. made my day!

veritanuda

Cool. I've always wanted one of those. Nice job.

Gary Knight

Brilliant as always. Hope you are keeping well.

Jeff Swayze

Just another afternoon project for Chris! ;-) Beautiful work as always. I'm certainly looking forward to the additional detail on the casting process!

Graeme Brumfitt

I wish you would stop doing these projects Chris! They're costing me a fortune... I jest Dude I love them, keep them coming. TFS, GB :)

Anonymous

this is, actually, the first video where it mimics a kind of Star Wars setup: it first shows you the making of the endproduct, but, as many here, I had no clue what the 3D printer, the vacuum pump, etc was meant for, but as said, I guess we were watching part 3, and later on will see part 2 and then part 1? lol

Anonymous

great movie though, and interesting topic!

clickspring

Yes! Episode I "The Phantom Wax" & Episode II "Attack of The Kiln" still to come. No Jar Jar. Promise :)

Luther

Wonderful work.

PeetieGonzalez

Your patience is godlike. The results appropriately divine.

Borislav

Is that a CNC? I saw it cut a perfect circle... Looks amazing! Finally, something I might try!

Kevin Reardon

Wow. I forgot you post to Patreon now. I missed that voice. Here's one to chew on. Roman dodecahedron. Maybe you can figure out what it was for.

Ballasar

https://www.grobetusa.com/ Tools, Supplies and Equipment for Technicians and Craftsmen Grobet distributors are strategically located throughout North America, South America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

SilentMunk

This is an amazing piece, I love the showcasing of new and old technology coming together to create such a historically inspired piece. Seeing this actually informed to me how the shape of such lamps actually work practically. Teaching moment for sure