Lost wax metal casting - mold flask

thingiverse

Version 2.1: Version 2.1 Added a top cap with the hoop moved to line up with the bottom so it can be printed without supports. I didn't add one for the bottom because then the bottom would be offset by whatever you tie in the hoop and then the flask would tilt. Version 2: The bottom no longer has notches to fit the cylinder. The cylinder still has indents but that's because I didn't remove them yet. The top and bottom caps have been changed from snap fits to loose fits and have had hoops added so you can add either string or elastic band to put tension on the cylinder. This is to reduce leaking if your mold material is a little more liquid, for instance if you mixed in too much water or if your material is just watery. This should make for a better flask all in all. Version 1 files are still in here for those who prefer that. Note: This item will be useless to you if you don't want to do lost wax casting. This requires real metal casting tools. I have been playing with lost wax casting, and I made some working molds in plastic cups, but they needed a sort of funnel to work properly, and that wasn't always easy to add if the sprue of the wax item wasn't long enough. So inspired by the injection flasks used in real centrifugal injection casts, I went and made this. Just attach your wax piece to the flattened sphere in the bottom piece by dripping some hot wax on there and holding the sprue of your wax item in the molten wax until the wax solidifies and keeps your item in place. Remove excess wax(if a lot has flowed down and is still connected to the wax item, removing the mold can be difficult after), then put the cylinder halves in and put on the top cap. Pour your mold material(85:15 plaster of paris:clay dust works well for me) next to the item, not directly on the item. Then wait for it to harden, take off the top cap, remove the cylinders and yank out your brand new wax mold with a built-in pouring funnel! :D Then just continue to do wax burnout and metal casting as you prefer. The item can be printed without supports if the indents in the cylinder parts are turned upwards, and I have printed it just fine with 10% infill and 0.2mm layer height. This item is free for personal use, if you want to use it commercially, contact me first to obtain my permission.