I would check out rio grande's website to see what they offer for tools and supplies, that will actually tell you a bit about what is involved. but of course, find someone who has it all already. just go into jewelry stores with bench jewelers and chat them up!
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:20 am Posts: 2756 Location: Southern California, U.S.A.
Yes you can. But unless you're going to cast quite a few things you probably shouldn't go to the expense of a complete lost wax casting set-up: caster, burn-out oven, torch or electric melting pot, etc. Those, plus all associated items, can run into a lot of money.
There are many good books on the subject but what you need is an overview of methods and techniques. For that I'd recommend Tim McCreight's "Practical Casting."
Among much else it covers a process called Steam Casting, a simple do-it-yourself method that can get you through the basics if you're only making a few items. If you want a more sophisticated set-up it tells you how to go about it.
I cast this gold ring with a homemade steam rig as an experiment (even though I have a complete spin-casting set up). It cost just a few dollars. If you follow a few basic rules the process works well. I made a "burn-out oven" by inverting a terracotta flower pot over an electric hotplate. You'll need a torch capable of properly melting whatever metal you're using as well as a crucible for pouring it.
Google "steam casting" and you'll find a number of videos outlining the process.
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