Reddit reviews Delft Clay Casting Kit
We found 2 Reddit comments about Delft Clay Casting Kit. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
✅ The Delft Clay Method is a highly refined form of sand casting that substitutes genuine Delft Clay from Holland for ordinary casting sand. The process was invented by Hans Karreman, a Dutch goldsmith. Delft Clay is much finer than casting sand, providing remarkably sharp and highly detailed castings in gold, silver, copper-based alloys, pewter, etc.✅ Castings require very little finishing work. Once you have cast your piece, the Delft Clay can be re-used. Since this is a cold-molding process, molds can be made from patterns composed of wood, wax, epoxy, plastics, and, of course, metal. Because this is a type of sand casting, it is best suited to producing castings without pronounced undercuts.✅ The Delft Clay Casting Kit includes: 4.4lbs Delft Clay, 2 - 60mm dia. Aluminum Ring Frame, and detailed instructions.✅ Made in Holland
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.
Maybe these will help?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cope_and_drag
https://www.amazon.com/2-Piece-Flask-Casting-Jewelry-Making/dp/B018ZMI7TA
https://www.amazon.com/UJ-Ramelson-Co-clayset-Casting/dp/B00JJ07G4K