Categories: Instruction and information; Projects and equipment
Word count/read time: 343 words; 1-1/2 minutes
No jeweler's tool collection is complete without at least one crucible,
the quintessential piece of equipment for making things from scratch.
They come in all shapes and sizes and myriad materials: steel alloys, graphite, silicon
carbide, clay, hybrids, etc. Each has its pros and cons but graphite and silicon
carbide versions have proven worthy for most shop applications.
I melt scrap in a steel crucible but after umpteen sessions, it has been retired.
My large graphite
ones are expensive so they are best saved for special pours.
Melting up to 300 ounces at a whack is no laughing matter
if something should fail.
The crucible was untouchable - why would I make one? For the same reasons
as everything else: keep it in-house, reduce costs and time.
A quick internet search turned up
instructions and ingredients for making one. It's more involved than welding a piece
of steel pipe.
These instructions were for his metal of choice, aluminum.
It puts less strain on a crucible than precious
metals both by reduced density and much lower melting temperature.
His crucibles seemed to work
under those conditions so we'll see.
It took a few months to acquire the ingredients. Silicon carbide and
fire clay were abundant. Powdered graphite was neither easy to find nor cheap but nothing
compared to powdered borosilicate glass (frit) at $16/lb! The glass supplier suggested
using a garbage disposal. Marginal would describe the outcome
so I tried a blender. It produced acceptable results. However, the first batch
completely wore away the hardened stainless steel blades. DOH!
The first attempt will commence once the molds are ready (probably years away, lol). The mixture can't
be thrown on a wheel like typical pottery clay; instead, a hydraulic press must
compress it to ensure a uniform, void-free interior. It will be messy.
Either way, I will do one or more of the following: make crucibles, learn glass-blowing,
design pottery, or load my sandblast cabinet with a new abrasive. And maybe create a few
new swear words. I am definitely looking forward to the latter.
Posted by M: October 25, 2018
Please email any thoughts or comments regarding this post.
Comment Section
NOTE: Your comments will be included in this section
as long as they aren't illegal. This section is censor-free so show me
your intelligence or ignorance and everything in between!
|
2024
Update Those Displays
Fly on the Wall
Greed Won Out
German Silver
Save It for Desert
Toeing the Line
Time for a Redo
USPS Is Broken
Not Enough Space
Jump Ring Stretcher
Nope! That's Not Green
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
|