![]() Someone on a jewelry forum acquired one but didn’t know what to do with it, so I posted a PDF here of the instructions. The casting grain was placed in the well in the top, then melted with a torch like the Bernzomatic…the heat from the flask helped get the metal liquified. It literally cost $99, came with a small kiln, and a vacuum casting “box” that had a handle you’d pull to cast the metal. I wish that this kit was still offered…back in the 1980s, my parents gave me a casting kit. Their prices and service are the best I’ve found. If you do look at a bigger torch, check Cyberweld. For what you’re doing, in the beginning, the MAPP torch should be fine. I switched to a dual-fuel acetylene/oxygen Smith Little Torch with a “bud tip,” but I had problems controlling the temperature of the metal, which caused porosity…but others use this technique just fine, so it’s likely “user error.” I recently upgraded to the Kerr Electro-Melt, which has precise control of the temperature, but it’s pricey (maybe $800 with a 5% coupon at Otto Frei). I used an acetylene/ambient air torch in the beginning ( Smith Silver Smith or Handi-Heet Torch), but could not get larger quantities of metal hot enough. I have this one, and also use it for torch enameling. It has a nice bushy flame, and will get hotter than a propane or butane torch. I also know a woman who built her own burnout kiln with firebricks and a controller…Īs far as your torch, you could even use the Bernzomatic MAPP torch from a home improvement store, which I think is $40. The RapidFire would also be able to do that. I also use it for fusing small glass pieces, enameling, and precious metal clay. I have the smaller SC2, which actually survived being doused with water from our lawn sprinklers one night in the outdoor kitchen. Kilnfrog tends to have really good prices in general, and usually includes shipping. It also has a fully-programmable controller with memory for four programs. ![]() The inner chamber is 7.75"x7.75" with a height of 8", and the coils are completely contained in the firebox, so no chance of touching them. ![]() You can change the temperature, but if you’re burnout out flasks, you would have to babysit your kiln, and ramps are not as straightforward (the ramp schedules on the Formlabs castable resin will ramp up 200☏ per hour or 325☏ per hour…with the controller on the Electro-Melt, there’s no way to do that.Īnother option to consider, but it comes at a higher price, is the Paragon SC3. However, my question would be if it’s programmable. I did notice that it has a similar controller to the Kerr Electro-Melt, which is a mini furnace for melting metal. Since you are reaching into the kiln with metal tongs, and the inner chamber is small, you would need to be very careful and shut off the kiln before retrieving the flasks. One thing I noticed…the coils are exposed on the inside. On the kiln, that looks like an interesting option at a great price. ![]()
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