FIGJAM‼️????

Core casting method for rings, Using transfer punches
1/2” – 1” diameter. (The problem with using sodium silicate, greensand, CO2 hardened extruded cores for core casting rings has always, for me, been finding suitable, inside diameter graduated tubes for a wide range of ring sizes for extruding the cores).
I have solved this problem by using short sections of steel rod acquired from a 33 piece set of Transfer Punches ranging from 1/2” – 1” diameter in 1/64” increments.
I cut off a short section of the size punch that has a comfortable, close fit to the inside diameter of the ring master that I need to core-cast.. that then fits comfortably inside my sand-casting boxes. (Cope and drag). I pack the drag box and press/hammer the ring master and steel core in place (half way)..then place and pack the cope.. remove the ring from the steel core and wrap the core with a layer of paper.. replace .. create vents, the sprue hole and funnel on the cope and pour the metal..SoHah❗️ I drive the core out by suspending the ring above the open, aluminium Protected jaws of a machinist bench vise. HeyPresto‼️POW‼️Core casting made simple. #figjam #corecast #sandcasting #sandcastjewellery #redclay #craigdabler #delftclay #greensand @brucepringlemetal #iteach (see my website on my profile for class details)

This is gRALPH‼️.. a grumpy wee dog..

sandcast in various custom bronzes and brasses.

it’s a little brooch.. good on a winter coat and/or your favourite hat!

In the interests of playfulness and not taking things too seriously… being somewhat weary, after some Fifty-odd years of making works and the economic prerogative… I’m trying to hold onto this practice as gently as I can!.. So a new collection is taking shape and landing in the two Hammer and Hand Metal Collective’s , here in Bangalow, NSW and in the Salamanca Arts Centre Hobart Tasmania.

I seem somehow to have been indulging my love for brooches over the last year.. making, almost exclusively, smallish sand castings .. for sale of course.. but I suspect mostly for my pleasure…. Stuff that I’d wear! (and Do!). .. so the little miniature sculptures are a welcome diversion. ????

Take a look at them in the GALLERY..

”Who will be an emissary to speak to the seasons, for the blackbirds and crows already soak up the sky” Juluka.

‘Working in wax on this small scale is still difficult for me.  I like the blue wax! It allows filing and cutting.. the trade off is that it is very brittle. These hands and wheels are for one of  a series of small sculptures on the theme “The Emissary “

The small sintered deposit of casting sand in the palm of one hand was interesting in light of the subject.

this piece will probably be fabricated from sand cast bronze elements.

It seems a simple task but it starts with melting fine (pure) silver and adding 75 parts in a thousand of copper in order to make the alloy, Sterling Silver 925…. Then the poured ingots are rolled in a rolling mill where they are squeezed into thinner and thinner square bars till they can fit into the graduated round holes of a draw plate where they are drawn into round wire. The rolling and drawing process requires that the metal be annealed (softened by heating to almost red-hot), as the rolling and drawing process work hardens the metal and makes it impossible to work any further’ without it becoming brittle and cracking.

‘Then the chain making can begin! The wire is wrapped around an especially shaped mandrel to form a continuous coil that is then cut with the jewellers saw to make the individual links.

‘The links are joined together and each link fluxed and soldered and finally the catch is made and the chain polished and patina induced with liver of sulpher and polished again…. 
Some are charm chains/bracelets and the charm masters are made , sand cast and linked onto the chains. All in all a very time consuming project and should only ever be undertaken by someone such as myself, who loves the process and would not hav it any other way! It’s why I’m a Metalsmith!

Sterling Silver Tea Caddy spoons. (AU$280 )
These spoons make a beautiful gift that will be used and cherished for a lifetime… and for tea lovers, that’s every day. The perfect gift for any occasion, individualy hand crafted from solid Sterling Silver, sand-cast, forged and fabricated, each one a treasure. For him or her or both.
#teacaddyspoon #maketeanotwar @hammerandhandbangalow @hammerandhand_hobart @byron.bay.nsw @byronshireartstrail.com @byronshireartstrail #letshavetea #housewarminggift #weddinggift #giftideas #tea #teatime #silverspoon #silverspoons #metalsmith #metalartist #teatime #house #home #handmadecutlery #handmadegifts #handcraftedspoon #handcrafted #hand #sandcast #blacksmith #thylacine #rabbit #hare #tassietiger 

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