How to Arrange Pieces for Casting an Explanation and Questions Answered

I get questions about how many pieces a person can successfully add to a flask for casting, and how close the pieces can be for casting.
This is a quick video explanation of how I would arrange several pieces in the same cast, as well as an explanation of why I arrange them like I do.
At the end, I added a montage of images and videos of how the pieces I cast were finished, and what they looked like when finished.
More info at JewelryMonk.com as well as a Schedule of Classes and Workshops of Jewelry Making.

[@user-vo3fq7it4y]

I am a person who makes silver accessories in Japan. Your video was very helpful. Thank you very much.

[@Hicham-zo3bp]

Thanks you dude for sharing this

[@DougNapierJewelryMonk]

My Pleasure!

[@susanconnorny]

Would this be a way to economize if one used a casting service? Or, maybe they make their own trees depending on what they have for jobs...Just curious! Your videos are fantastic. THanks!

[@DougNapierJewelryMonk]

Susan, usually the casting houses create and arrange their own trees. Thanks!

[@EsraBagtilay]

Hi Doug, question, if your going to cast fifty pieces of silver rectangular flat design into a metal mold, do you need an exhaust/exit point? Or it will just like what you said "will go forth when its full"? Thankf for the answer.

[@DougNapierJewelryMonk]

Haven’t done much casting into a metal mold. 50 pieces at once, or 50 pieces one at a time?

[@TourModTireGuy]

Hi Doug, I was hoping to pick your brain about casting and porosity issues if possible.
I cast a variety of different metals - silver, brass, bronze, various gold flavors - and I consistently have porosity issues with brass and bronze castings in particular. It is oxy-acetylene torch casting with crucibles, with the flask on a vacuum table ( not a vacuum sealed chamber ). It appears to be gas porosity, showing up when the pieces are ground/polished. I’ve been told that it is caused by too much oxygen in my torch flame, but when I reduce the oxygen I have incomplete castings due to too low of a metal temperature, failure to fill. Have some thoughts toward my predicament?

[@DougNapierJewelryMonk]

What is your flask temperature? Large pieces or small? How are you spruing them? (These are the first questions I would need answered. email me if you get a chance.
Doug

[@wendioverland1640]

Hi there
I hope you can help me, I traded some placer gold for some jewelry store sweepings that seem to have a lot of very small gold inside the sludge. Can you tell me how to wash the metal sweepings, I have tried very hot water and dish soap but no luck.. there might be some kind of oil in with the gold shavings?
Thanks so much!
Wendy
Ps. I live in southern Oregon now but I graduated high school from rapid City Central long time ago

[@DougNapierJewelryMonk]

Hi Wendi, I bet RC has grown a bit since you grew up. You can try an ultrasonic cleaner, but you might run into the same problem with the water/soap trial. I would heat it up and melt it, all the impurities will float and you can clean them away. Doug

[@wendioverland1640]

@@DougNapierJewelryMonk
Yes, excellent idea!
I will do exactly that, and yes I graduated in 1986 when Rapid was quite a bit smaller my mom still lives there so I visit often
I'm always amazed by how much it grows

[@DougNapierJewelryMonk]

I am a 1983 graduate. Moved away a few times, but have always came back.