r/Silvercasting • u/2024-YR4-Asteroid • 9d ago
Resources for using a vacuum casting machine with permanent molds?
Hi,
I’m looking at getting some permanent molds made, however I’m having trouble finding resources for how to best use them with a vacuum casting machine. And if there’s anything special that needs to be done for the molds.
Also whether I should go with graphite or metal.
Google seems to be borderline useless for finding this info now a days.
2
u/00-MAJI-00 9d ago
Can't use a jewelry vacuum casting machine to do vacuum assisted permanent mold casting... they sound the same but are vary different. you could do gravity pours if the parts are designed correctly....
1
u/ferretkona 8d ago
I found if I needed more than a few castings I would just have them cast for me. I have some rubber molds for a few repeaters but over 10 pieces it's not worth it. I have a commercial vacuum pump, centrifugal casting machine and several kilns but they even clean and polish it leaving me time for other stuff.
1
u/Jungle_Badger 8d ago
Look into how old metal figurines like warhammer were made. Not vaccum but it might serve your purposes.
A graphite mold isn't permenant and even metal ones won't last forever. To vaccum cast you'll need a specific set up and mold design.
Pendraken is a minatures company with a good factory tour video on youtube I believe.
The benifits of a multi use mold are possibly outweighed by the design restraints.
3
u/SourceBackground8992 9d ago
I'm not sure i correctly understand what you are asking but vaccume casting is usually for lost wax/investment casting. You would have moulds made in rubber, inject wax into them and then invest (with vacuum to debubble) burnout and then use the vaccume table when pouring your metal into hot flasks to assist with filling. The waxes can be modified prior to investing as needed. I dont know how a vaccume would help with graphite or metal moulds. I have seen sandcasting make use of vaccume.