3D molds for metal casting

[Johnwa]

Cast directly into an abs mold.
https://makezine.com/projects/guide-to-3d-printing-2014/metal-casting-with-your-3d-printer/

 

[Bofobo]

Moulds for bismuth? Dont have much of that around

 

[Brian H]

Cast directly into an abs mold.
https://makezine.com/projects/guide-to-3d-printing-2014/metal-casting-with-your-3d-printer/

Have you tried this Johnwa? I am planning to cast brass and aluminum parts for model engine making. I was going to use split molds and sand, but I am curious how the lost PLA method would work

 

[Johnwa]

No I haven’t. I do have a project where I will be printing out the two parts of a split pattern though.
Have you cast brass? I’ve only done aluminum.

 

[Brian H]

No I haven’t. I do have a project where I will be printing out the two parts of a split pattern though.
Have you cast brass? I’ve only done aluminum.

No I haven't. I'm just on the edge of the slippery slope. I'm currently working on a foundry, hence the reason I've just purchased the printer. From the research I've done, brass is particularly fussy with temperature. I will be discovering this in the near future.

 

[Bofobo]

I’ve managed to cast some brass ingots, in steel boxes, 2-3”x4”x3/4-1” and open air sand, the sand had a better result (solid without bubbles) but only because I had not pre heated my steel mould.

 

[Jwest7788]

Oh, something worth mentioning here is this stuff:
https://www.machinablewax.com/product.php?product=52

Printable wax, meant for lost wax casting of 3d printed objects.

 

[Tom O]

I'll have to give that a shot. Thanks

 

[Brian H]

Oh, something worth mentioning here is this stuff:
https://www.machinablewax.com/product.php?product=52

Printable wax, meant for lost wax casting of 3d printed objects.

I am very interested in this. It may be very useful for casting model engine parts. Have you used this before?

 

[Jwest7788]

I sure have not, I bought a roll, but haven't actually tried it yet!

 

[Brian H]

Let me know when you do try it. I'm curious how it will work. I wonder if it will print differently than PLA

 

[Janger]

@kevin.decelles have you tried this?

 

[Jwest7788]

I wonder if it will print differently than PLA

This is the part that held me up. I am under the impression it take a good chunk of tuning to get it working, but admittedly its' been awhile since that idea entered my mind, I may have just been worried about the same.

 

[Brian H]

This is the part that held me up. I am under the impression it take a good chunk of tuning to get it working, but admittedly its' been awhile since that idea entered my mind, I may have just been worried about the same.

I have temporarily given up with trying to print Nylon. I just can't seem to get it to stick to the bed at all.
I don't really want to buy another roll of something I won't be able to use. I have had nothing but success with PLA printing so I'm going to stick with that for now.

Due to the fact I have some technology challenges, If someone has used this product and would be willing to lend a hand with settings and such I would be more than happy to give it a whirl.

 

[Hruul]

This guy does lost foam casting later on in his builds and really likes it. Doing it with aluminum.
https://makercise.com/