Prestige Optima Investment

[Jewelermdt]

When I did my first investing with it using their times, it started to setup. I have cut my times way down. Course I am usually only casting 3 to 4 small flask (2.5x3) at a time. I also think it depends on ones vacuum. Mine pulls quick so it doesn't take long to boil.

[MobiusJewelryDesign]

@rsaldivar - I appreciate the info and advice. The only reason I have been shying away from platinum investment is the nightmare it will be to pick that rock hard investment out of all those crevices....::shutters:: As far as this machine.....might be something to think about.

I casted two more rings with the prestige and I got this. Both have a lot of small detail but were cured like biblical lepers.....they were cast with fresh gold as well. I did as the company suggested burnout and all. The investment was hard and smooth. I believe that my sprues are probably too small and with expansion being so severe I believe if I gave the gas a chance to escape, I would probably fare better.

The investment didn't bubble as much as plasticast and like I said, the investment was hard as a rock until submerged in water. It's texture was silky smooth like Ultravest. It got a lot of detail and it had great surface quality, if it just didn't turn into a mess in other places. I am wonder why it didn't hold up....I am wondering what would happen if we bench cured it for 5 hours like Mark is suggesting. I bought it, might as well try it, right? Hear are some pics

[Jewelermdt]

When I have models like that, I run feeders. Those sharp corners cause problems when using just one spur point. That euro shank would do fine without that design work. I would have put spurs on corners also. When design elements get in the way it causes turbulence. Gas get trapped and causes those voids.

[MobiusJewelryDesign]

@jewelermdt - Thank you for the input.....I will try that.

[M-Williams]

We cast all day long using plasticast without any issue whatsoever. If you have followed all the steps as you said, than the culprit is the optima investment.

[Jewelermdt]

I have been getting great castings with the optima. My flask sit for 4 to 5 hours before going into the oven.

[Gtg330]

this is another casting using Optima real happy with ease of cleanup of casting

[Gtg330]

[mongerdesigns]

Very nice casting, Greg.