Investment casting Block method Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:38:11 +0000 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:38:11 +0000 The Home Foundry http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?forums/investment-casting-block-method.12/ Tue, 21 Jan 2025 16:51:23 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/aluminium-vacuum-investment-questions.2940/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/aluminium-vacuum-investment-questions.2940/ invalid@example.com (Mike F) Mike F I'm just starting this adventure and could do with a little help answering a few questions. As indicated in my introduction thread, I intend to cast aluminium parts for tethered cars. A bit of a niche hobby but very interesting. I have bought all the necessary equipment and I am quite proficient in 3D printing the parts. Now for the questions:
1/ Is it okay to use scrap 6082 aluminium?
2/ After the burnout, what temperature should the flask be for pouring?
3/Looking at the images,...

Aluminium vacuum investment questions.]]> 23 Sun, 11 Aug 2024 01:04:11 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/need-help-with-this-one.2865/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/need-help-with-this-one.2865/ invalid@example.com (TomL) TomL I was asked to cast this aluminum carburetor, it was printed from polycast. it has a complete surround water jacket, double wall
The square hole in the fill sprue is for the plaster to flow into the water jacket, no issues there.
I am using 356 alloy, and getting failures I cant explain.
I burnout to 1400f for 24 hr, then gently blow out the mold to endure there is no debris left...ie small...

Need help with this one....]]> 10 Mon, 13 May 2024 08:11:08 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/what-type-of-investment-material-should-i-use.1814/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/what-type-of-investment-material-should-i-use.1814/ invalid@example.com (Bill W) Bill W
I made a very basic wax part and now want to get some investment material. Next, will be melting that wax out and pouring some metal.

what product should I use?

Thanks]]> 35 Wed, 21 Sep 2022 11:18:30 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/plaster-borax.2233/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/plaster-borax.2233/ invalid@example.com (JBC) JBC I can't find it now

I'm wanting to make a 2-part mold using plaster. I have Ultra-Vest but the mold I need to make will be larger than my small burn-out kiln.
I don't need to use plaster but I'd like the investment not to crack when I pour in the Zamak so here I am.
Any 2-part mold makers have a history of success with Lowes/Home Depot stuff? Or maybe with Ultr-Vest when not fired?]]> 1 Wed, 10 Aug 2022 16:26:13 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/using-sturdy-metal-can-for-single-use-flask.2164/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/using-sturdy-metal-can-for-single-use-flask.2164/ invalid@example.com (John Gaertner) John Gaertner
With three pieces, I want to mix,...

Using sturdy metal can for single use flask?]]> 3 Thu, 21 Jul 2022 09:30:19 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/i-am-new-to-casting.2270/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/i-am-new-to-casting.2270/ invalid@example.com (flask_copper_man) flask_copper_man In time I want to do some lost wax casting. So if I can use a burn out now for melting metal
Mostly copper and brass, than later on use it as a burn out furnace.
Thank you
Renny
P.S.
I have a cheap furnace a ce-1000. I just can't get it to melt copper. It melt in to one big glob in the bottom of the
crucible it all most melt. Hope you can help.]]> 3 Wed, 20 Jul 2022 21:46:13 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/how-do-you-melt-wax.1348/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/how-do-you-melt-wax.1348/ invalid@example.com (0maha) 0maha
What do you guys do? I'm thinking of just a small crock pot + temperature controller like this: https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Max-1200W-Temperature-Controller-Greenhouse/dp/B01HXM5UAC

Is that a good way to go? Anyone have a better option?

Thanks!]]> 24 Sat, 04 Dec 2021 03:16:12 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/stacked-plaster-mold.1517/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/stacked-plaster-mold.1517/ invalid@example.com (magno_grail) magno_grail The original head's fins are about 0.1" thick at the root.]]> 37 Thu, 18 Nov 2021 23:39:15 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/failed-casting-any-thoughts.2042/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/failed-casting-any-thoughts.2042/ invalid@example.com (0maha) 0maha
I'm using Everdur for all this.

I had a fair amount of this on the resulting parts:



(For scale, that circle is about 1/2" in diameter)

Is there a word for those voids? It is probably worth noting that the trouble spots were all on the upper side of the parts (closest to where the metal goes into the flask).

When I cut off the sprues, I...

Failed Casting - Any thoughts]]> 1 Sun, 24 Oct 2021 20:30:41 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/vibrating-vacuum-chamber.1994/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/vibrating-vacuum-chamber.1994/ invalid@example.com (0maha) 0maha
The vibrating base for the vacuum chamber is set to go.

Roughly speaking, I started with the design that this guy described on YouTube:



His is a lot bigger than I needed, and is used for vibrating concrete molds.

But the basic design worked: Build a steel base, use valve springs (I used some off an old Kawasaki motorcycle) to connect it to a "table", attach a...

Vibrating Vacuum Chamber]]> 9 Thu, 14 Oct 2021 16:35:03 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/im-back-updates-and-a-question.1942/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/im-back-updates-and-a-question.1942/ invalid@example.com (0maha) 0maha
I think I have most of the process worked out, and I've done a few test pours.

By and large, the results are far better than I expected at this point. Here's the one from yesterday, pretty much straight out of the block:

...

I'm Back! Updates and a question]]> 17 Mon, 19 Jul 2021 18:31:41 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/looking-forward-the-next-steps-and-the-equipment-i-need.1815/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/looking-forward-the-next-steps-and-the-equipment-i-need.1815/ invalid@example.com (Bill W) Bill W
buying equipment...safety stuff first, kiln for removing wax and for heating the mold, a set of crucibles and tools to hold and pour, forge to melt metal...I know I'm missed some important stuff

I made several good wax parts. next up is the investment process and then casting the parts.

My part is small, 2 1/2 inches by 1/5 inches but it's hollow and has steps inside and threads...

Looking forward - the next steps and the equipment I need]]> 7 Mon, 22 Mar 2021 16:05:00 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/vacuum-table-101.1404/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/vacuum-table-101.1404/ invalid@example.com (Jason) Jason https://www.riogrande.com/product/r...-for-mold-making-investing-and-casting/705013

Now for the rest of us on planet earth, casting is a H O B B Y and not a business. So If you ever wanted to peak under the skirt of one of these and see what makes them tick and why so expensive, here is your front row seat to the peep show!

You'll see it's DEAD NUTS...

Vacuum Table 101]]> 5 Thu, 25 Feb 2021 01:38:59 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/old-and-moldy-castings.1417/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/old-and-moldy-castings.1417/ invalid@example.com (dennis) dennis
I've no idea why, and no one else in class - instructor included - did either. View attachment 14418]]> 8 Mon, 28 Dec 2020 04:36:42 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/interupted-burnout.1447/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/interupted-burnout.1447/ invalid@example.com (Rotarysmp) Rotarysmp
Does it damage the block if you do the low temp drying off part one day (those first 4H) , let it cool overnight and then do the higher temp burn out on a different day?



Mark]]> 13 Tue, 08 Dec 2020 17:54:57 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/think-this-process-will-work.1297/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/think-this-process-will-work.1297/ invalid@example.com (0maha) 0maha
I want to put together a process to make parts like this:



Been giving this a think for a while, and what I've settled on is a vacuum assisted investment casting setup. Or at least that's what I think I've settled on. That's why I'm here. I want to see if you think this will work.

The main concern is maintaining a high level of detail on the...

Think This Process Will Work?]]> 52 Sun, 06 Dec 2020 16:43:17 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/casting-aluminium-in-plaster-moulds.1413/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/casting-aluminium-in-plaster-moulds.1413/ invalid@example.com (Jim Edgeworth) Jim Edgeworth http://www.technogap.com/trackmaking.htm]]> 6 Wed, 25 Nov 2020 19:58:25 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/vacuum-chamber-time.1393/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/vacuum-chamber-time.1393/ invalid@example.com (0maha) 0maha
Time to figure out what I'm going to do regarding a vacuum chamber.

Everything I've read says I'm going to want to degas my investment after it is mixed, and then degas the whole flask after it is poured.

Problem is, my flasks are going to be fairly large. Still haven't worked out the final dimensions, but something like 12" x 7 " x 10". Ish. Probably need the vacuum chamber to be even taller than 12" to...

Vacuum Chamber Time]]> 6 Fri, 24 Jul 2020 10:29:34 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/mad-max-fury-road-shifter-knob.1170/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/mad-max-fury-road-shifter-knob.1170/ invalid@example.com (Mach) Mach
About the casting, the movie Mad Max Fury Road has its share of iconic vehicles. Gigahorse is a monstrosity made from stacked '59 Cadillacs powered by twin supercharged 502s. I've got mixed feelings about the demise of the Cadillacs but it fits the story.



This is the shifter knob...

Mad Max - Fury Road Shifter Knob]]> 16 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 23:56:21 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/hood-ornament-casting.157/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/hood-ornament-casting.157/ invalid@example.com (DavidF) DavidF Im not 100% happy with the casting and will be repouring it, but without the added concern of making a video..
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