Investment casting Ceramic shell method Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:26:41 +0000 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:26:41 +0000 The Home Foundry http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?forums/investment-casting-ceramic-shell-method.25/ Fri, 03 Jan 2025 18:45:46 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/burnout-firing-cycle-for-suspendaslurry.2937/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/burnout-firing-cycle-for-suspendaslurry.2937/ invalid@example.com (mrWiz) mrWiz Sun, 24 Nov 2024 03:55:48 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/burnout-in-a-ceramic-kiln.2909/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/burnout-in-a-ceramic-kiln.2909/ invalid@example.com (Chris silliker) Chris silliker 4 Wed, 09 Oct 2024 03:25:59 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/first-time-use-of-suspendaslurry.2064/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/first-time-use-of-suspendaslurry.2064/ invalid@example.com (John Gaertner) John Gaertner
First time use of SuspendaSlurry.]]> 11 Wed, 10 Apr 2024 22:17:59 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/reinforcing-ceramic-shell.2739/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/reinforcing-ceramic-shell.2739/ invalid@example.com (MikeMike) MikeMike 11 Wed, 22 Nov 2023 21:04:41 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/core-for-ceramic-shell-suspendaslurry.2623/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/core-for-ceramic-shell-suspendaslurry.2623/ invalid@example.com (DHSC) DHSC
Hello all,

I'm attempting a ceramic shell cast that requires a core. Tried it without and it fragmented on burnout.

Would a sodium silicate core survive the burnout/vitrification temperature?

If not, anyone know any commonly available materials or methods from which I could make a core to put inside a wax or PLA pattern and then go through the suspendaslurry process?

My first thought is maybe attempt a 3D printed core box to hold, dry, and burnout a...

Core for ceramic shell (Suspendaslurry)]]> 3 Fri, 07 Jul 2023 18:28:03 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/investment-augmented-suspendaslurry-casting.2386/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/investment-augmented-suspendaslurry-casting.2386/ invalid@example.com (Ferrisbeu) Ferrisbeu 5 Sat, 13 May 2023 00:41:49 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/dryness-indicator-sources-small-quantities.2576/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/dryness-indicator-sources-small-quantities.2576/ invalid@example.com (Chassy) Chassy
I'm kinda wondering if there's some type of indicator available from chemistry supply companies, though I don't have the background to know what would work and be safe. For example, there are these, and I wouldn't be surprised if one was the active ingredient in Remet or ReDip:...

Dryness indicator sources - small quantities]]> 4 Sun, 09 Apr 2023 02:43:23 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/shell-temperature-just-prior-to-pouring.2173/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/shell-temperature-just-prior-to-pouring.2173/ invalid@example.com (John Gaertner) John Gaertner
Is there a standard temperature one's investment shells should be prior to pouring with aluminum? I have a handful of suspend-a-slurry shells I made. Their burn out went fine but I could not do the casting at the time, the burn out was done. So now I plan on reheating them in my electric burn out oven, prior to pouring. In the past I have used a temperature 1/2 of the metal I was pouring so roughly 700 F for aluminum.

What are other people using. I am going to place the...

Shell temperature just prior to pouring?]]> 1 Wed, 10 Aug 2022 16:34:33 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/getting-started-with-shell-can-i-fix-this.2325/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/getting-started-with-shell-can-i-fix-this.2325/ invalid@example.com (0maha) 0maha
A big part of my inspiration was the "boiling out wax" thread. That looked really promising.

So I gave it a try. Haven't cast anything yet, but I've got a couple of shells ready.

I used six layers of suspendaslurry + silica sand.

After the boil out, one of the shells showed a few cracks. The other looked good. I patched the cracks with some dope made from suspendaslurry and sand, and it looked...

Getting started with shell - Can I fix this?]]> 10 Fri, 05 Aug 2022 11:34:36 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/alternative-ceramic-shell-recipe.2329/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/alternative-ceramic-shell-recipe.2329/ invalid@example.com (purpleparachute) purpleparachute
Apparently it is used in commercial foundries...I wonder if it would survive the boil out process ...

Thoughts anyone?]]> 4 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 11:24:20 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/wexcoat-binder.1744/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/wexcoat-binder.1744/ invalid@example.com (amber foundry) amber foundry
Wexcoat Binder]]> 10 Mon, 25 Apr 2022 21:04:13 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/help-me-make-another-attempt-at-shell-casting.373/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/help-me-make-another-attempt-at-shell-casting.373/ invalid@example.com (01binary) 01binary
I tried shell casting when I started working on my project but after 6 months of failures I decided to go with vacuum-assist casting (jewelry) method instead. This worked, but the last 7-10 parts of the project are too large to cast using this method, so I am going back to shell casting. I hope I could get more advice here to help me succeed this time.

Here is the largest part I was able to cast with the jewelry...

Help me make another attempt at shell casting]]> 116 Tue, 12 Apr 2022 12:06:53 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/mixed-results-on-shell-castings-today.2185/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/mixed-results-on-shell-castings-today.2185/ invalid@example.com (John Gaertner) John Gaertner
I am posting some pictures from today's casting. All parts were invested in Suspendaslurry, the patterns were jewelry wax from a silicone mold I have used before. The results were 1 piece OK 3 not but with different defects. All wax patterns were burned out in my repaired electric oven and then allowed to cool. They were reheated to 500F in the oven and remained in the oven until just prior to pouring. Shells were set in casting sand 1-2 minutes before pouring.

You can see the...

Mixed results on shell castings today]]> 4 Thu, 06 Jan 2022 22:53:53 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/ceramic-shell-with-a-twist.1951/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/ceramic-shell-with-a-twist.1951/ invalid@example.com (mytwhyt) mytwhyt Thin mold melts surface before the wax expands.. Now what happens with the mud prevents any cracking.. The drywall mud is...

Ceramic Shell with a twist..]]> 6 Thu, 06 Jan 2022 22:28:03 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/burn-out-methods-for-suspenaslurry.1699/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/burn-out-methods-for-suspenaslurry.1699/ invalid@example.com (Ferrisbeu) Ferrisbeu 9 Sat, 20 Nov 2021 17:34:15 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/anyone-have-experience-investment-casting-cobalt-alloys-thin-sections.2045/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/anyone-have-experience-investment-casting-cobalt-alloys-thin-sections.2045/ invalid@example.com (Lou) Lou https://www.alphaknifesupply.com/Pictures/Info/Steel/Stellite6K-DS.pdf

It's common to use these alloys in hard facing applications, but 6K is hard enough and tough enough to be used to make a nice knife as is seen here:
https://knifenews.com/stellite-6k-knife-blade/

it's used a lot for making slitters for cardboard or abrasive fibers as it's basically a suspension of...

Anyone have experience investment casting cobalt alloys? Thin sections]]> Tue, 07 Sep 2021 08:39:26 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/this-mornings-melt.1862/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/this-mornings-melt.1862/ invalid@example.com (amber foundry) amber foundry


]]> 4 Tue, 17 Aug 2021 16:12:59 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/boiling-out-ceramic-shell.311/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/boiling-out-ceramic-shell.311/ invalid@example.com (Jason) Jason
I came across an interesting article on the web late one night. http://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=noreaster After reading it, I dropped this chick an email asking for some advice. I showed her the video of one of the foxes pissing wax before Artospy and I fingered out the slurry had a thickness problem. Some of you will remember seeing the photo of an unfired fox with a crack.

Anyway, here...

Boiling out Ceramic Shell]]> 79 Wed, 14 Jul 2021 19:10:44 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/a-few-pics-of-stuff.1805/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/a-few-pics-of-stuff.1805/ invalid@example.com (Ferrisbeu) Ferrisbeu 12 Mon, 12 Jul 2021 10:07:19 +0000 http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/shellspen-materials.1807/ http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/shellspen-materials.1807/ invalid@example.com (amber foundry) amber foundry 2 sets of shellspen suspension additives to make up suspended ceramic shell slurry. comes with full instructions.]]>