Sand casting 3D object?

[Niamh]

Hi all,

I used to cast metal into delft clay molds back when i was a early teen, im now 23 with 2 kids and fancied making a go of starting back up my old business.

My first plan is to make my dad a set of 9ct gold cufflinks, its my wedding in 3 months and i wanted something meaningful to give him that i had made myself.

I want to cast 9ct gold tiger moth planes into a delft clay sand mold and then make them into cufflinks, but im wondering if i can do this with this casting method.

Theres 2 sets of wings (one on top of the other) and it makes the plan more like a 3D object, I am wondering if the gap in between the 2 wings will just fill with gold or will it work? iv attached a photo of the thing i want to make him.

Id be greatful for any advice or suggestions! thank you

[Dennis]

The space between the wigs will have to be solid in Delft.
Even if you send it to a caster (see: http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9347)
they will struggle to make a mould with any meaningful detail between the wings.

Its probably a job for 3D printing in resin and then casting by the conventional method. Dennis.

[enigma]

Or you could hand fabricate it using sheet silver and wire, it doesn't look like it would be too difficult to do.

[Paul Kay]

Hundreds of similar tiny (1/300th scale) bi-plane models are cast each year in lead/pewter for those in the wargames fraternity wishing to re-enact aerial dog-fights over the trenches. Invariably the bi-plane models are cast in at least 2 pieces: 1. The upper wing and 2. The rest of the aircraft, including solid struts to solder/glue the upper wing to. There are of course variants and refinements depending on the model being represented and degree of detail included. Having, in my younger years, cast a few 2 part models of similar aircraft and other figures in lead/pewter, I think I would opt for a similar 2 piece casting were I to tackle something like what you have pictured, in gold.