My first Delft Experience - step by step

[MuranoSilver]

Firstly sorry for any crappy pictures but I was taking them fast because it was my first time
First of all, get the set with the DVD and then watch it!
If you haven't got the DVD then there's a very good set of YouTube vids by Andrew Berry...

Here's what I did to make the first of two ball ends for a bangle.
1) Clear your work surface, get the clay out and chop it up (I used a metal edge ruler and it was easy)
2) Make sure the clay is soft and mouldable
3) Using the smaller of the two rings turn it upside down (so the joining part is on the bottom)
4) Force the clay into the mould packing it tightly then hammer down the excess on the top.

5) Scrape off the excess to give yourself a flat surface (metal edge ruler again)
6) Turn over and push your master 1/2 way in (in this case my round plastic bead).
7) Use the edge of the ruler to make sure the clay meets the edge of the master.
8) Talcum Powder the master then brush off excess with a soft brush

9) Join up the rings making sure the alignment score marries up
10) Fill the top half with clay & Repeat the tamping down process
11) Gently wiggle the two halves apart

12) Carefully remove the master.
Nic x

[MuranoSilver]

13) Poke a hole from the cavity (where the master was) through to the back
I used a small drill bit
14) Following the instructions on the vids carve a funnel that ends in the hole you poked in the cavity.
(this is what you pour the metal down so it needs to have plenty of room)
15) Clear Debris & tamp down any loose clay
16) Because my bead was round I then did angled holes from the edge to let the air escape.
You can see this best on the delft video.
17) Join up the two rings aligning the marks again
18) Using your pre-prepared crucible, heat up the metal until it's a moving liquid.
19) Keeping the flame on the metal pour the metal into the moulds spout

(There will be flames)
20) You can quench the casting in water (rings and all) as the Delft clay doesn't absorb water. NEAT!
21) Once cool gently ease the two halves apart to inspect your handywork.
(please ignore the outside holes ~ in the end I did 4 diagonal ones)

This part was quite exciting!!
Nic x

[MuranoSilver]

22) Carefully remove the casting and discard any blackened clay (the rest can be reused)

I love my little Sputnik - Here's a closer look

23) Start the finishing process.....
You may want to leave the sprue on if it's a fiddly job (you can saw it off last)
Here's the casting looking a bit more like the Ball end of the bangle it will be soldered onto!


Hope you enjoyed sharing my first experiences....it wasn't half as scary as I thought it would be....
Why not have a go yourself
nic xx

[stu_clouds]

Well done Nic, well come to the world of casting. Be time for lost wax method next if your that successful with your first attempt at delft.

[MuranoSilver]

Thanks Stu!
I tried wax casting at "In the Studio" but not sure I'd want to risk mucking up my silver clay kiln.
Besides the big torch was a little bit scary
I normally send the waxes to niagra
nic x

[caroleallen]

Thanks for showing us Nic. That does look good. I've never had anything cast yet but I think about it lots. Has anyone ever had casting done for enamel and does it work OK?

[stu_clouds]

Yeah its a little daunting at first, i dont use a torch, i use a melting furnace and use vacuum casting rather than centrifugal casting (which looks so dangerous, i always have visions of the crucible flying off the spinning arm and destroying half of the house)

sending your wax models out to be cast is a very handy thing and means no outlay on all the equipment. Looks like your on your way to mastering delft casting. Whats the next item your going to cast? Id be interested to see how a more complex item goes in delft.

Stu

[MuranoSilver]

Carole - thank you and you're welcome
Yes casting is often done for enamel but if it's silver then you still have to raise the fine silver to the surface....I must admit I tent to use PMC for enamels as I can't be bothered to do all the faff, lol

*Mastering* Delft Stu... Wow now that's a thought
Think I've a ways to go yet! My next item will be the other ball to go on this bangle commission.
After that I'm going to cast some of my silver clay masters into sterling & see how they come out.
I'll take pictures so you can see what you think

Nic xx

[stu_clouds]

Good i look forward to seeing the pictures.

I will soon be posting some pics of some of my pieces now that im having to drag the photographing studio out for my new website pictures.

[snow_imp]

Nice work Nic - another string to your bow.