METAL CASTING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

 

WHAT METAL TYPES CAN YOU CAST? 

Bronze, Sterling Silver, and Gold.  We cast bronze on a regular basis.  Other metal types may take longer to cast due as we need to bring the casting machine temperature down to switch out crucibles so that there is no cross contamination in casting.  

 

CAN I PROVIDE MY OWN METAL? 

We prefer to use our own to ensure purity.

 

HOW MUCH IS IT TO CAST BRONZE?

See CASTING MENU for full details.

 

HOW MUCH IS IT TO CAST PRECIOUS METALS? 

See CASTING MENU for full details.

 

METAL CONVERSIONS: 

Wax weight times:

Bronze times 8.7  

Sterling times 10.5  

18K Gold is times 16

 

HOW MANY PIECES CAN I FIT IN A CAN?

The number of pieces that can fit into each can is so specific to the item you are looking to cast.  Each can must have at least a .5” gap from the border of the can to your wax to ensure a solid investment mold around your wax.  Failure to have this gap results in either having to use a larger can and more cost or the risk that the investment may collapse in casting resulting in a failed cast.  

See CASTING MENU for downloadable forms.

 

EXTRA SPRUE CHARGES: 

If you bring us a full can worth of items treed up and ready to cast that is awesome, no extra costs and quicker turnaround times.  If you bring us a full can worth of wax that needs to be treed there is a $5 per minute charge to sprue these up.  It can also add a week or two to when we will be able to cast your pieces.   

 

HOW IS MY PIECE FINISHED? 

After casting, pieces are sandblasted and sprue cut off.  We use a fine grain in our sandblaster to remove any investment out of nooks and crannies.  All sprue bars are trimmed as close as possible and raw pieces are returned to customers. 

 

If you are interested in a patina, we ONLY OFFER liver of sulfur (cold) finish.  This is a standard dark finish with brushed raised areas for an antique effect.  Finishing fees start at $20 per piece, depending on complexity.

 

WHAT ARE NORMAL PRODUCTION TIMES? 

Bronze castings happen 1-2 times a week.  Your piece will be cast within 4 weeks.  If you require finishing, please allow an additional 2 weeks. Our peak season is September-November and production times can be longer.

 

 

DO YOU DO ANY METAL CHASING? 

We do not.

 

CAN YOU MAKE A MOLD? 

It depends on the piece size, complexity, metal type and quantity.  If it is too complicated or too thick it may not work in our production style molds and might work better in a simple dump mold (we do not make dump molds).  If you are interested in any pieces cast in silver alloy (our lead-free pewter), having a production mold is the only way we can cast this metal type.  If you want only a small amount of pieces, it may be more cost effective to have a dump mold made, waxes poured and provided to us to cast as needed.  Our production molds are high caliber rubber with a good shelf life.  Pending the piece, the set-up for one of our molds can range from $200-600.  If we cannot make a mold of your piece, or it is cost prohibitive for you for us too, we can refer you to local dump mold makers. We require a metal master for our mold making process. 

 

DO YOU POUR WAX IN DUMP MOLDS?

We do not.  There are local wax folks we can connect you with.

 

CAN YOU USE INJECTION MOLDS? 

Yes, pending they fit in our machine.  Wax pouring charges and additional sprue charges apply.  $20/ per hour to inject, clean, and sprue waxes.  Great for small jewelry pieces to optimize how many pieces are cast into one flat casting fee. 

 

DO YOU MAKE DUMP MOLDS? 

We only make our 12" rubber production molds.  Not applicable for most items outside of belt buckles.

 

WHAT IF I’M NOT IN LOVELAND TO USE THESE OTHER COMPANIES? 

No problem.  We are all in a small area of town together and work together on a regular basis.  We can help get your pieces from point A, B to C for you.  We normally have you pay for each partner, as they are their own company.   If things need to be shipped, WHC can ship finished pieces back to you.  Standard rates apply.

 

WHAT IF I WANT A FANCY PATINA? 

We can connect you with a local finishing shop.

 

DO YOUR OFFER PLATING? 

We can gold or silver plate small items.    ADDS 6-8 WEEKS TO PRODUCTION TIMES.