QuestionQUESTION: Hello, I'd like to cast a medallion out of 1oz copper,
1 oz gold, 1 oz tin, 1 oz ultra fine industrial diamond powder and .5 oz sulphur. Would you know where I could get a medallion mold so that it would be of nice thickness and size for some fairly intricate engraving on both sides.
Do you see any problem with the diamond powder? It's thickness is measured in microns, so it's pretty fine.
THis is the list of items I believe I will need to do this.
Crucible - what would you recommend for such an operation?tongs, mold, and a torch capable of reaching 1083 C as this is the melting point of copper which is highest of the group. I spoke with a metallurgist and he said I could melt the tin and then melt in the gold, copper and sulphur afterwards, and the temp would only need to be around 800 C as the melting point of the alloy was lower.
1 pair of gloves to handle the tongs.
I plan to use an engraving tool to etch a good luck charm on both sides. If it works out, I'll make them for the rest of my family as gifts. I just thought it would be something special for us all to have. Unfortuantely I got a wild hair and I'm a complete novice. If you have any questions on Chinese medicine or herbology I'd be glad to reciprocate.
Let me know if there is anything I'm missing, or any books you would recommend. I love to learn, and am an avid reader, and would like to know more about your art.
If it goes well, it might be an interesting hobby. :-)
Thank you sir,
Scott
ANSWER: Hello Scott,
This sounds an interesting project, and I assume there is herbal/spiritual reasoning for the recipe that you have chosen.
I don't see a problem of the mix of 1oz copper +
1 oz gold, however the 1 oz tin does concern me as this would possibly make the metal incredibly brittle to the point of that it may no cast smooth but lumpy and would probably be unworkable as far as fine engraving goes. The 1 oz ultra fine industrial diamond powder would perhaps be suspended in the molten solution and thus be throughout the cast however it may also end up forming at the lowest point........this I really cant say, but it would certainly not melt and thus be gritty in the mix. Obviously this would hinder your engraving.
What I suggest you do is to maybe test your mix by doing 2 or 5 gram increment instead 1oz.
The sulphur would probably burn out in the melt.
As far as getting a medallion mold, you could easily make this yourself in steel or fire brick or charcoal even, depending on how fine you wish the finish to be.
Your list of items sounds fine.
The crucible would be a simple ceramic which you should first coat with melted borax.
As far as heat, you could use a simple oxy-acetylene setup with a cutting head set at 80/180
Depending on the detail that you are hoping to achieve, I would consider working this into you mould.
Hope this is of assistance. Let me know if you require anything else. I have answered in detail many questions about casting and melting previously, so you should find extra info there too.
Good Luck, P
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hey Peter!! Looks like I came to the right guy. Great information. What about changing the tin to red brass?
Could you make the mold for me if I send you a jpeg? I'd like to cast it myself.
Thanks ace,
Scott
AnswerGreetings Scott,
My apologies for my slow response as I have been at an all consuming Jewellery Conference since last week....my head is still spinning from information overload.
I'm not sure why you'd want to add red brass - otherwise known as gilding metal - however this shouldn't create too many headaches.
Yes I'd be happy to view your Jpeg and will let you know.
Send the image plus suggested dimension to pjcoombs@bold.net.au
Cheers, P
