Reddit mentions: The best jewelry casting supplies

So what hot stuff do you work with? Hot is kind of an understatement when it comes to molten metal. Molten metal comes with it's own share of unique problems, that quite frankly many back yard casters choose to ignore.

u/vigg-o-rama has set you up on the right path, but I think he overlooked that you were talking copper too. The advice he gave is pretty damn good for aluminum, but copper is not aluminum, and behaves nothing like it. Take it as a starting point.

If you want to buy something, buy a gold furnace. Something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/HARDIN-234-4-Melting-Furnace-Casting-Recycling/dp/B00A9WQO5O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1469799337&sr=8-2&keywords=jewelry+furnace

a 4kg gold furnace will have a melting capacity of about 1lb of aluminum, and about 4lbs of copper. I am assuming your dad is a contractor and you're using wire scraps. You shouldn't have any troubles putting it into one of these furnaces.

If you want to DIY it, but are concerned about the refractory, just buy a commercial furnace refractory. It takes some looking, but it isn't hard to get if you are willing to pay for it.

Get a real crucible, you don't have time to play around with DIY when dealing with copper. I would do my best not to use metal molds, and if you do, make sure they're steel, and have been pre-heated before you pour anything into them.

On the safety side of things, leather is your friend. Copper will ignite cloth on contact, and really does't stop it at all. Aluminized PPE is even better.

What do you plan on doing with your ingot when you're done?

You have two separate problems to solve. 1st how to melt the metal. 2nd how to cast it into interesting shapes.

i'll start with the melting problem. I suggested an oxy-propane torch like this and a crucible like this. Those items are likely above your price point and I am just using the Riogrande.com catalog as an example for you, cheaper prices can be had if you shop around or go used. You will find these type of torches on Craig's list, they are common metal working equipment. Oxy-propane requires an oxygen tank and regulator. The reason I suggest this is because the oxygen will burn way hotter which means you can melt metal right in a crucible out in the open. Oxygen tanks can be found at your local welding supply store and are easy enough to obtain. No insulated foundry required and you can melt aluminum, pewter, bronze, brass, nickle silver, silver, and gold with this setup.

Anywho, that's the ideal setup for you. It will likely cost a hundred bucks or so to get it running. To be frank I think it's worth it because once people lean you can cast buckles they will buy them from you and the setup will pay for itself pretty quick. That's what happened to me, lol.

But if you insist on the no to zero cost option go ahead and build your mini foundry following the various online instructionals like this. Skip the steel crucible part and get a graphite one like this. Go with propane, not MAPP gas. Propane is cheaper and easier to obtain since it is available at every grocery store. I have to warn you once again though. There is a reason why everyone only talks about melting aluminum in these things. And its because they don't get that hot without an oxygen supply. Copper alloys melt hotter than aluminum. Upside is that you don't have much sunk cost, and melting aluminum is fun too.

OK, next step. Casting the metal into different shapes.

1. Permanent molds, 0-100$. These range from things like muffin tins to graphite molds like these.
   
   
2. Sand molds, 0-200$. Either dig up your own sand for free or go with the much better option of a Delft clay kit.

I used Envirotex Lite 2 part self-leveling resin in my projects mainly, but I experimented with UV resin as well. I made some neat keychains, preserved flower bracelets, and lots of bowls, jewelry boxes, little pieces (like animal skulls, flowers, etc.) to add to the rim of my embroidery projects and other crafts, and even some coasters! If you’re leaning more towards a jewelry creation direction, I bought this kit and it was awesome! Tons of molds, spatulas, and all the tools and fixtures you need to assemble the jewelry (well, a good bit, anyways lol).

EuTengHao 225Pcs DIY Jewelry Silicone Casting Molds Tools Set Contains 9 Silicone Resin Jewelry Molds,2 Necklace Pendant Resin Molds,1 Earring Silicone Mold,Diamonds Mold,Bear Claw Mold,Sphere Mold https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KG1MPF2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_CLtqDbKHCDBNE

First, I want to say your bars look amazing. I've made sailor moon soap before and you are topping me without question.

There are these great little molds on amazon that I use to make sailor moon melt and pour imbeds.

https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Crafting-Earrings-Decoration-Semi-Transparent/dp/B075R5PS9P/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=sailor+moon+silicone+mold&qid=1571076334&sprefix=sailor+moon+sili&sr=8-4

The wands come out just fine and I think if you top your bars with these guys it'll take your soap to the next level! Happy soaping and I love your work!

Would that work with this new crucible (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H539V5D)?

I was looking on amazon and other places and found the (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S6BG8HC/). Obviously the price sucks, but when I start casting from 3d prints it will be a lot safer for the 2nd type of tongs.

In terms of what I am melting. I actually have an insane amount of material i need to melt. I have ~400-500 disk platters of hard drives already removed (why i bought the crucible above). Then the shell of the hard drive can also be melted down. I then have around ~200 laptop hard drives i still need to dissemble. Waiting to finish the old large hard drives first.

Then I have the copper from the R/W heads, which will be fun to just have a bar of copper from that.

I also have pure aluminum shavings from milled aluminum. That I am holding off on until i am ready to deal with the possible oil issue of melting those.

The cans I save are simply the ones I drink. I have around ~4 more bags of cans to melt. I like doing this since i already buy the soda, might as well get something out of it and put it towards my hobby.

I bought the one linked below but it looks like there isn't any for sale right now. There is two but they are overpriced because I got mine for $319/Shipped when I bought it at the beginning of April. Still works great and holds up to 2 kilos! Its so nice to throw 30 ounces in it and walk away and comeback 15 minutes later and start pouring 2,000 degree silver :)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MOX0DOE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Awesome thank you so much! I'm just starting to watch videos and learn what I can. I am wanting to start attempting to make the exact size and kind of "coaster" you have in this video for Christmas gifts.

So, far I have the following in my "Shopping List"

• Jacquard Acid-Free Color Exciter Pack Ink
  
• 5 Pack Design Resin Mold
  
• 13 Box Mixed Glitter and Flakes
  
• Art Resin (for starting out)
  
  Are there any of these you would go with or without or a different brand? Am I missing any key ingredients? I've been trying to watch only videos where they list what they are using. I also need to get my head wrapped around how much resin to use and how each color reacts with it.
  
  What I'm doing doesn't need to be fancy. I just want to create something unique and nice for coworkers and family.

I don’t have the best tips BUT one quote that always gets me back on my feet (especially when I’m doubting myself or feel very lacking or scared I won’t make it where I dreamed I’ll be) is this:

“ I didn’t come this far to only come this far”

This quote really sticks with me. Sometimes I feel like “oh I’ve gotten so far but not as far as I want” and then I take a look and realize I’m further than I was 2 years ago and being further only means being closer to my goals. Telling myself this really gets me motivated to keep going.

This is something on my wishlist I’ve been wanting for a while it makes crystal pendant shapes using resin molds. I like to make things/craft for my Etsy but mainly I just like to make jewelry because creating really helps me with my depression and anxiety most days. ❤️

Thankyou for this contest ❤️❤️❤️

Hey there, I got a 4pk from amazon ✨amazon coasters square
✨
Definitely invest in some good mold release for silicone molds

This one seems good

Happybuy 1KG Gold Melting Furnace 2102℉ Digital Melting Furnace Machine Heating Capacity 1800W Casting Refining for Precious Metals Gold Silver Tin Aluminum (1KG) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071PBVSJQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VD1jDbR77J9GB

It's not that much stuff - Here's the cheapest things on Amazon. For sure a lot better deals if you just go into Harbor Freight though.

Torch - $17

Mallet - $9

Jeweler Saw - $14

Tiny Files - $10 or A rotary tool - $15

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A regular file - $8 (optional)

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If you want to process the silver yourself you need a

Crucible - $15

That torch again

Tongs - $9

Welding Gloves - $9

Jewelry Rolling Mill - $169

I feel like it would work really well to remove the crucible from the furnace but I would be really weary of pouring it. I'm sure it would work, but if you have more than 2 lbs. of metal in the pot, it may become a bit tricky to safely pour using the diggers.

This tong comes with a #3 crucible for cheaper than that digger. If the size is absolutely too small, then..

This bigger tong is the same cost as the post hole digger.

both are built to remove the crucible and pour (in two different positions)

I use a graphite crucible. My steel one oxidized through in two melts. I've done about 12 now with my graphite one and it's great. I got mine on Amazon. I just bought this one to do aluminum and use my current #3 for copper.

I got it off of amazon, it comes in a pack with a few other boxes :) here is the link ;)

You might be better off using something like this if u can afford it https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B075QFPNWY/ref=sspa_mw_detail_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&th=1

Instead of a kit I'd recommend just getting an electric one.

https://www.amazon.com/Kilogram-Refining-Assaying-Precious-Aluminum/dp/B01H2YOVLA/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1484734155&sr=8-13&keywords=metal+melter

The only reason to build one is because you like building or you want to do large pours.

https://www.amazon.com/Rapidfire-Electric-digital-Controller-Beadmaking/dp/B00B626FHS/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1541232262&sr=8-5&keywords=kiln

Less than $500, heats to 1200c in less than 10 minutes.

That's a smaller one, but it's clearly not difficult.

Basically you’d need to purchase a bunch of fire bricks and bond them together. You’d then carve out an area for the special heating wire coil and add a PID controller and relay. You’d then need a crucible and tongs.

In short, you might just buy a tabletop unit rather than the hassle of trying to make one yourself.

Example...

Happybuy 1KG Gold Melting Furnace 2102 F Degrees Fahrenheit Digital Melting Furnace Machine Heating Capacity 1800W Casting Refining for Precious Metals Gold Silver Tin Aluminum (1KG)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071PBVSJQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6b5UDbBK5F1PX

$15?! link? if you're paying only $15 for graphite you'll be getting something slightly bigger than a thimble. this is the one I got. $36. the opening is big enough to melt cans. I wish I went bigger. next time.

I have been using this large (4" - 5" mouth?) graphite crucible that I ordered from Amazon. It has worked perfectly so far, after at least 11 pours, with no sign of degrading:

http://www.amazon.com/Foundry-Graphite-Crucibles-Refining-Aluminum/dp/B00FBG3ROO

If your budget is pretty firm, there are smaller and cheaper, versions that are similar:

http://www.amazon.com/Foundry-Graphite-Crucibles-Refining-Aluminum/dp/B00FBFUB3U

I hear ya - I was trying with just a small charcoal grill and insulating a bit, then heating directly with a small propane torch. It was inefficient, ineffective, and likely more dangerous as I was closer to the fumes.

This is the one I have been using - and very happy with it. I did make some empty camping propane bottles into ones as well but ended up burning through them on the bottom.

https://www.amazon.ca/Hardin-HD-2344SS-Stainless-Tabletop-Kilogram/dp/B00A9WQO5O