031
21 May 2024
The vacuum investing machine has been broken for a few weeks but it’s finally fixed! We started the day by mixing the investment powder, vacuuming the mix, and pouring it into the flask with our wax ring tree in place. Next week Erin will melt out the wax on Monday, and we will be casting in sterling silver.
The ring was resized last week, so I went straight to marking and cutting out the rail that will support the setting. After a lot of twisting and manipulation with parallel pliers, the rails were raised. I then saw and filed the shape to match the height of the top and bottom collet. Using some binding wire to hold the setting in place, I soldered the setting to the shank. And et voila! The ring is very close to being finished. Outstanding things to do: filing off excess solder, final shaping, polishing, and of course… setting the stone.
This week’s wrap up:
• Used vacuum investing machine while wearing proper particulate respirators
• Soldered setting and band together