Lost Wax Casting

[FreshFund]

My first lost wax casting attempt
Will be using a vacuum caster

Is having too many sprues bad?
Other than finishing purposes is there any reason not to attach as many sprues as I can?
The wax model is both halves of a zippo case lighter, and the walls are quite thin.

Also, if my wax model weighs 9.02 grams - without any sprues or base.
Will I really need 105+ grams of 10k gold for casting it?
I've got about 60g right now.

What is the best method for buying this extra gold?
Pure gold and melt it into 10k or maybe pawn shops or something?

Sorry for all the questions but any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[josef1]

You will need approx twice that almost, you need to account for the sprues and the button. weigh the wax tree one its all sprued etc then calculate the allowing 30 to 50 grams for the button weight if you do not do this you will get an incomplete fill.

[josef1]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YFX...ature=youtu.be



I have done a quick cad of how I would sprue the model

[FreshFund]

Thank you josef1!!

I really appreciate the time you took for the cad design, thank you!
Would that sprue set-up work for both top and bottom halves?

And when you say I'll need double the amount that I stated - was it double the 105g or double the 60g that I have?

Thank you so much for your help!
Definitely a boost of confidence

[josef1]

yes it I think it should work on both half's, It was just a guess but so you know for sure make up you model with sprues similar to the cad model then weigh it in grams then multiply that weight by 11.6 this is the specific gravity of wax compared to 10K gold, then add 30 grams or so for your button ,which you will be able to use the metal again for the sprues to cast the top but unfortunately you need enough metal to cover the weight of the sprue and button which will be surplus after the cast is done