Casting custom parts.

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silverslayer

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I've never seen any one do it, but I'm gonna give it a shot. I've done a little jewelry casting. So I've decided to try and cast some custom end pieces for a copper mod I'm working on. I don't have the machinery to turn metal, so I really have no other way. Figured I cast them and then use set screws to hold the caps on. Using silver for this. Would have been a lot easier to just buy that GG I like, but then I guess I couldn't say I did it. Besides $200 for the GG wowsa, that thing ought to be all silver for the price. Doing the burnout as I write so gotta go.
 

silverslayer

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The bottom cap came out just ok. The top one I'm gonna have to redo. I don't like it at all. I think the ridge was to thin, and I didn't let the investment cure near long enough. I only gave it a couple of hours to set. But IMO the bottom one is usable.
 

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silverslayer

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Wow, you really are at it, good for you. Keep us posted, you must have mucho talent.


Jeez kinda sounds like ya doubted me. Every one has talents. Casting is just some thing I play around with some times. All I know is I need some thing better (stronger) than the copper end caps I've been putting up with. I want to use the copper pipe cause I like the way it looks.

Any how. I've made a new wax, this time I'm gonna let the investment set up over night because I really like this cap. I want it to turn out. Will burn out, and cast tomorrow.

You mod right? Seems like I've seen some mods with your name on them. As I recall they looked very impressive. My only hope is that mine becomes very reliable, that is my goal at this time. I want a big battery that works every time.

Happy Modding....:2cool:
 

nicotime

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Cool idea...in fact I just got done testing some polyester casting resin...the kind you embed bugs and coins among other stuff in. Only problem it smells like and actually is the same as Bondo body putty so thats a no go. I am going to order some urethane resin and see how that goes. Anyone want to go in on an injection molder? LOL

Yes keep us enlighten with your progress please.

Are you lost-wax casting? Where do you get the wax at?
 

AJMoore

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Didn't doubt you, when you used the terms "give it a shot", "done a little", "decided to try", I was thinking you were a novice but ambitious, that's a good thing.

No, I'm not a modder, I too have ideas but I'll need someone more handy than myself to see them through.

All the luck to you, you're well on your way to perhaps the most beautiful mod.
 

silverslayer

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Can't you polish those ones you made? By the way nice job.

The one to the right in the pic I am going to use. The one on the left, the edges look like crap. They were both on the same sprue, i'm not sure why one turned out and one did not. Only god knows. Also I'm not going to polish them because I do not have all the compounds,waxes,and such to do a good job of it. So I am planing to sand blast the whole works to give it a satin look. I think it will look good when I'm done.
 

silverslayer

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Cool idea...in fact I just got done testing some polyester casting resin...the kind you embed bugs and coins among other stuff in. Only problem it smells like and actually is the same as Bondo body putty so thats a no go. I am going to order some urethane resin and see how that goes. Anyone want to go in on an injection molder? LOL

Yes keep us enlighten with your progress please.

Are you lost-wax casting? Where do you get the wax at?

Contenti and Otto Frei Is where I buy most of my stuff, and yes I am using the lost wax process.

If Any one is interested in this sort of stuff there is a web site called My Heap that has a lot of info on how to cast silver on the cheap. All I have is a cheap propane torch to melt the silver. Investment,wax,and a propane camp stove from wall mart. The investment was the most expensive part. I bought a huge box of it for 100.00. But you can get it in a lot smaller quantities.

Thanks every one for the compliments and interest. Will keep you posted.

Tim Hansen
 

Circumspice

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Contenti and Otto Frei Is where I buy most of my stuff, and yes I am using the lost wax process.

If Any one is interested in this sort of stuff there is a web site called My Heap that has a lot of info on how to cast silver on the cheap. All I have is a cheap propane torch to melt the silver. Investment,wax,and a propane camp stove from wall mart. The investment was the most expensive part. I bought a huge box of it for 100.00. But you can get it in a lot smaller quantities.

Thanks every one for the compliments and interest. Will keep you posted.

Tim Hansen

Have you tried the metal clays? You can fire them with a butane torch. So far I've seen gold, silver and copper clays. You can model it like regular sculpting clay, roll it out, press it in a mold, etc. I have seen them at Fire Mountain Gems, but I'm sure it is available elsewhere.

Best of luck on your casting efforts!
 

DenniZ

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I have an Alumilite casting kit waiting for me to become a proficient modder. You could get the same look as copper or any metal by using a coating of a metallic powder inside the silicone mold prior to casting.

Here's a link to their website
You can buy the kit or individual parts at hobby stores like hobby lobby as well.
 
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Wench

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Have you tried the metal clays? You can fire them with a butane torch. So far I've seen gold, silver and copper clays. You can model it like regular sculpting clay, roll it out, press it in a mold, etc. I have seen them at Fire Mountain Gems, but I'm sure it is available elsewhere.

Best of luck on your casting efforts!

These are what I've been using for making jewelry. I got my first kit off ebay for pretty reasonable. lol
Hrm.. I never even considered doing mod's with it (the clay is pricey for silver and gold) I totally forgot they had copper.

I imagine the clay + being able to cast you could make some really fantastic mod's out of it.
 
don't know where you are in wisconsin, I'm on the north side of the twin cities, if it is not too far to drive I have a small screw cutting metal lathe that you are welcome to use to finish turn your castings and cut threads in them. Or if it is too far to come here you might consider sending the pieces here and I could turn them.
 

Circumspice

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These are what I've been using for making jewelry. I got my first kit off ebay for pretty reasonable. lol
Hrm.. I never even considered doing mod's with it (the clay is pricey for silver and gold) I totally forgot they had copper.

I imagine the clay + being able to cast you could make some really fantastic mod's out of it.

My brain has been going into overdrive trying to come up with a truly durable juice mod... The plastic 2 & 3 AA battery housings are horribly fragile and it's not the modder or end buyer's fault when they break... (not if they break...)

I think that Corian (the kitchen counter material) would be an awesome material to make the mod boxes out of. It is nearly impervious to most chemicals & moderate heat, is shatter proof and comes in a wild array of colors.

Also, I have a small Coca Cola slider tin that I am going to make into a juice mod in the near future, once I have all the necessary parts.

:2c: We need to keep coming up with better ideas for PVs and the housings they will be built into!!! :toast:
 
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Circumspice

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I have an Alumilite casting kit waiting for me to become a proficient modder. You could get the same look as copper or any metal by using a coating of a metallic powder inside the silicone mold prior to casting.

Here's a link to their website
You can buy the kit or individual parts at hobby stores like hobby lobby as well.

DenniZ what a great idea! I went to the website and was fascinated by the possibilities! I can't wait to see what you create! You must post pics!
 

silverslayer

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don't know where you are in wisconsin, I'm on the north side of the twin cities, if it is not too far to drive I have a small screw cutting metal lathe that you are welcome to use to finish turn your castings and cut threads in them. Or if it is too far to come here you might consider sending the pieces here and I could turn them.

puppythor,

Thank you very much for that offer. So far I have not been able to come up with another good casting for the top of the PV. I've had three failed attempts since the first cast. I need to go back and review the books. Got to go on my working stint again so it will be another week before I get a chance to cast again.

Tim Hansen
 
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