Investment casting, lost wax casting

[DavidF]

Some may have seen these videos before but figured I would add to the forum. Hopefully it will give some ideas of how to make yourself some parts for your models.
this video just talks about some different waxes and what they are like to work with.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRUeUR5InUI" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRUeUR5InUI</a>


This video show making up an actual part using mostly hand tools.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2h0XDi6sPo" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2h0XDi6sPo</a>

And this video is the spru up and casting.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRQ6cl3p30Y" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRQ6cl3p30Y</a>

I plan to make another set of videos building a wax steam engine then casting it, machining, and hopefully running it LOL  Hope you enjoy....

[vcutajar]

Thanks david for the videos.  They were interesting to watch and very informative.

Vince

[ref1ection]

Great videos David. Lots to think about for the future.

Ray

[DavidF]

Glad you like them.  If anyone has an interest you should grab a block of the green file a wax and play around with it, its really amazing stuff to work with.  Yes Im a wax junkie LOL

[ref1ection]

Where do you buy the green wax and is there any thing to look for besides the colour?

Ray

[DavidF]

I get my wax from here  http://www.contenti.com/products/casting/waxes.html
 The ferris wax seems to be a bit better (quality wise) than the matt wax.  When it comes to the wax properties they both seem about the same. the green wax is the hardest with both mfg's.  Alot of jewlers preferr the softer waxes, i perfer the harder stuff mostly because of the tools I use (metal working tools).
  Id like to see more people trying out the wax, I can see alot of practical use for it in the modeling world and the melting of metal really should not scare anyone away. I have a small furnace made from kitty litter and sand powerd off a HF propane torch that melts brass and bronze with no trouble. I honestly feel one could build small parts without a machine shop accuratly using these materials.

[ref1ection]

Thanks for the info on the wax, will have to give it a try.  I'd love to see the small furnace made from kitty litter and sand. I can't picture how that goes together but for small parts I can see it being real handy.

Thanks
Ray

[steamer]

Some may have seen these videos before but figured I would add to the forum. Hopefully it will give some ideas of how to make yourself some parts for your models.
this video just talks about some different waxes and what they are like to work with.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRUeUR5InUI" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRUeUR5InUI</a>


This video show making up an actual part using mostly hand tools.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2h0XDi6sPo" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2h0XDi6sPo</a>

And this video is the spru up and casting.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRQ6cl3p30Y" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRQ6cl3p30Y</a>

I plan to make another set of videos building a wax steam engine then casting it, machining, and hopefully running it LOL  Hope you enjoy....

Nice post Dave!   Welcome!

Dave

[DavidF]

Thanks steamer,  I've been melting iron lately, just cast my steam chest cover and D slide valve, ill post video later tonight.
 I'll also post a picture of my little furnace as well...

[Don1966]

Thanks for the videos Dave, I really enjoyed watching them. I do have a furnace and the casting sand. Haven't really done anything but melt metal. I have all the books on casting, lost wax casting and still reading. I think I need to try the lost wax method of casting for my first casting attempts or do you recommend sand casting first?

Don

[DavidF]

Hmm sand or lost wax first...  good question...   I really like lost wax casting for small stuff, and sand casting is great for bigger stuff. So I guess its up to you and what you are looking to cast. I love lost wax personally..