Category:Casting Shop

Shop Description

The Artisans Asylum Casting Shop offers equipment and training for two processes: Sand Casting and Investment Casting.

The Sand Casting program at the Artisans Asylum allows the reproduction of objects in metal with a level of detail suitable for small sculpture, jewelry, and select engineering applications.

— This method is suitable for beginners as well as experienced shop users who are interested in producing a cast piece within the time period of a few hours.

The Investment Casting program at the Artisans Asylum involves a two to three day process that allows the reproduction of complex shapes in a way that preserves a high level of fine detail.

— This method is suitable for intermediate to advanced shop users interested in achieving exceptionally high quality and precision in their cast objects.

The Casting Shop encourages experimentation and knowledge-sharing for the production of jewelry and artwork achievable using equipment appropriate to our shop. Our facilities are oriented toward hand crafted pieces the size of jewelry and slightly larger — we do not have the resources to support larger foundry work.

Casting Techniques

Bronze at 2000 F

Investment Casting at the Artisans Asylum, sometimes referred to as Lost Wax Casting, starts with the creation of a jewelry-sized object, or “pattern,” often made with wax.

— The pattern is encased in investment, a silica and gypsum based substance that resembles plaster.

—Once the investment has set, the wax is then “burnt out” using an overnight kiln program, producing a cavity into which the molten metal can be poured. The kiln program also further hardens the investment.

— At a pre-arranged time the next day, the flask containing the investment is pulled out of the kiln and immediately put on a Vacuum Table, where the molten metal is then poured.

— Once metal has cooled enough to solidify, the hot flask is then “quenched,” or submerged in a bucket of water that quickly liquifies the investment, allowing the finished casting to be easily retrieved.

Sand Casting at the Artisans Asylum involves the use of Petrobond casting sand, an oil-based sand that significantly reduces the vapor-produced concerns that come with water-based casting sands.

— Sand casting allows the reproduction of the pattern in a matter of hours, without the destruction of the original pattern.

List of Primary Tools

For Melting Metal:

— Electro-melt(s). Link to: Electromelt Tool Resource Page

— Oxy-Propane Torch

— The shop provides appropriate graphite and clay-silica crucibles.

For Investment Casting

— Investment Hood

— Kiln. Link to: Sentry Kiln Tool Resource Page

— Vacuum Table. Link to: Vacuum Table Tool Resource Page

— The shop provides Ransom & Randolph SC20 investment and casting flasks in select sizes.

For Sand Casting

— The shop provides Petrobond sand, metal mold-making flasks in select sizes, and mold-making tools.

Tool Documentation

Shop Safety

Buddy Up!

Always Cast with a Buddy!

For safety purposes, the Casting Shop requires that shop users work in pairs when pouring molten metal.

— Experienced Casting Buddies can be found through the shop’s Google groups email listserv.

To subscribe, send a request email directly to the list: castingshop-users+subscribe@artisansasylum.com

Proper attire and PPE are required, especially when pouring molten metal:

— Proper Attire: Long Sleeves and Long Pants in Natural Fibers (cotton works well), Closed-toe Shoes (preferably leather). No loose hair or jewelry.

— PPE: Safety Glasses (shade 3 when torch melting metal or looking into a hot kiln), Leather Apron, Heat Resistant Gloves. Dusk mask or respirator when mixing or cleaning dry investment.

Please keep tools and work surfaces reasonably clean of dried investment, which contains silica and poses respiratory hazards when airborne and inhaled. At minimum, dust masks are required when mixing investment and when cleaning dry investment spills. Respirators may provide additional protection. The shop maintains a supply of dust masks. For better fit and protection, frequent shop users may want to supply their own respiratory protection.

Approved Materials

Pattern Materials approved for use in the Artisans Asylum Casting Shop

— Wax (injection or carving)


— Organics - generally approved, especially for plant materials, but ask first.

— PLA


— Ask first on Castable 3D printing resins.


— To add materials to the Approved Pattern Materials List, discuss with a shop steward and propose a workable, clean melt‐out/burnout profile.

Metals approved for use in the Artisans Asylum Casting Shop

— Brass, Bronze, Silver, Argentium, Gold, Aluminum, Pewter, Bismuth


— Metals we cannot do, given high melting points:  Titanium, Steel / Iron, Platinum


— Disallowed Metals:  Lead, Magnesium, Anything else with flammability / toxicity issues.

No random scrap and no unknowns

Contact Us

— Send an email to the Casting Shop Lead at: castingshop@artisansasylum.com

— To stay informed, subscribe to the CastingShop-Users Google groups email list.

1. Send a request email directly to the list: castingshop-users+subscribe@artisansasylum.com

OR

2. Send an email to the casting Shop Lead requesting to be manually added: castingshop@artisansasylum.com

Notes

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