Something a little different.

[jaustin]

Been watching videos of silver casting. Thought i would give a go at it.
here is the blank graphite mold.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l89/gunracksonline/20160619_175842_zpse4p5feun.jpg (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/gunracksonline/media/20160619_175842_zpse4p5feun.jpg.html)

the lion face carved into the graphite. it would be nice to get it with out the lines in it. i did use optimal settings.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l89/gunracksonline/20160619_175839_zps4r6rljmj.jpg (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/gunracksonline/media/20160619_175839_zps4r6rljmj.jpg.html)

and my attempt at pouring silver.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l89/gunracksonline/20160619_180338_zpsbddi4qyh.jpg (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/gunracksonline/media/20160619_180338_zpsbddi4qyh.jpg.html)

The people who do it on video make it look easier than it is.
have a lot of work to do before I think I will post a video of me pouring.

That was about 2 oz of silver,

81145

[fwharris]

That came out nice. Are the lines in the pattern or how it carved?

[jaustin]

Its the path of the 1/8 bit

[mtylerfl]

Its the path of the 1/8 bit

Hi John,

Cool project!!

When you carve your next graphite mold, try using the 1/32" Carving Bit and choosing "OPTIMAL" for the quality setting when uploading to the memory card. This will enhance the details and should all but eliminate most, if not all, obvious carving lines (might still require a little minimal sanding).

In any case, this is STILL a very cool project! Where do you purchase the graphite blocks?

[jaustin]

thanks I get the graphite from https://www.ohiocarbonblank.com/

Don't have the 1/32 bit, think that's only in the newer software i still am using the 1.187.

[oscarl48]

super cool project. Nicely done.

[jaustin]

I wonder what would happen if I sandblasted it with glass sandblasting media?

Think the would blend everything and hide the lines from the bit?

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

[oscarl48]

my only fear with sandblasting is getting the fine control for not overdoing it. I am not sure how hard graphite is so don't know it would stand up to it.

I used to frost glass with sandblasting as part of my stained glass hobby but got rid of those tools a long time ago so only have limited experience with other materials.

[mtylerfl]

Thank you for the graphite link, John.

Which type do you recommend? There are different hardness and "fine-ness" ratings.

[jaustin]

Michael,
Here is a screenshot of what I order. think the 5 was around $25 and shipping they don't tell you till it ships and bill you.
Mine was $12 and some change for UPS

The type i selected was what they recommended for silver pouring.
You can play around with the graphimator to get the cost of the blanks.
But you have to create a acct to get the cost of the them.

question if i get a 1/16 bit, is there a demo of the software that I will need to use to see how it carves? Before investing in the new designer software.
Im still at the 1.187 version

Sorry about the screen shot it took it of both monitors
81164

[Scooby]

Try sandblasting with baking soda, much less abrasive. Cheap enough to try.

[ktjwilliams]

Interesting stuff ,,, Wouldn't practice with aluminum be cheaper and easier to see a result before casting the silver ... Free cans are all ova da place ...

[normrichards]

Interesting stuff ,,, Wouldn't practice with aluminum be cheaper and easier to see a result before casting the silver ... Free cans are all ova da place ...

I have done casting in the past with aluminum. Cans are very impure and do not work well. Old car parts, aluminum windows, etc. work way better. Here is a video on doing it from a guy I follow. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHADGpudizU

[jaustin]

Interesting stuff ,,, Wouldn't practice with aluminum be cheaper and easier to see a result before casting the silver ... Free cans are all ova da place ...

It would be cheaper but I plan on learning silver pouring might as well learn with what you are pouring. Plus you learn faster when you cost more.
I can keep remelting the silver so i am not loosing anything.

The temperatures are about 600 degrees difference aluminum melts about 1200 degrees and silver melts about 1800 degrees.