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 to needing to bring the casting machine temp 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 insure purity.
HOW MUCH IS IT TO CAST BRONZE?
Cost of bronze is $20 per pound, minimum charge $15. Depending on how many pieces and what size they are will determine the cost per piece. We normally do per can prices, $170 for small and $220 for the large cans. Individual pieces can be done for a $30 casting fee plus the cost of metal. See CASTING MENU for full details.
HOW MUCH IS IT TO CAST PRECIOUS METALS?
$190-225 for small cans, $285-300 for large cans plus the cost of metal. Spot price plus $20 for sterling.
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 amount 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 insure 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 cans worth of items treed up and ready to cast that is awesome, no extra costs and quicker turn around times. If you bring us a full cans 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 actually be able to cast your pieces.
HOW IS MY PIECE FINISHED?
After casting, pieces are sandblasted and cut off sprue. We use a fine grain in our sandblaster simply to remove any investment out of nooks and crannies. All spruebars 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 polished raised areas for a two-tone effect. Finishing fees start at $20 per piece, depending complexity.
WHAT ARE NORMAL PRODUCTION TIMES?
Bronze castings happen 1-2 times a week. Depending on when your wax is brought to us we might be able to get it into the next cast if it’s spruedand ready to go OR is a simple sprue. If we’ve already invested for the next cast, your pieces will go into the following casting. If your piece is more complicated to sprue up, it make take a week for us to insure the proper time is given to treat your piece with care to provide the best casting possible. Most all castings of provided waxes are cast within 2-3 weeks as a standard. Finishing times may add 2-3 weeks pending complexity and quantity. Other metal castings are scheduled in as needed and can range from 1-4 weeks for casting. Peak season of September-November production times can be longer.
DO YOU DO ANY METAL CHASING?
We do not.
CAN YOU MAKE A MOLD?
It is dependent on the piece size, complexity, metal type and quantity. If it’s 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 are only wanting 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’s cost prohibitive for you for us to, 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?
NO. We use the best in the business Kathy Page, 970-222-5022. Just let her know that the waxes are for our casting machine and she’ll know how to prep them just right to help get the best cast possible.
CAN YOU USE INJECTION MOLDS?
Yes. Wax pouring charges and additional spruecharges apply. $20/ per hour to inject, clean, and spruewaxes. Great for small jewelry pieces to optimize how many pieces are cast into one flat casting fee.
DO YOU MAKE DUMP MOLDS?
NO. We use Steve at SAVMolds 970-663-7797.
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 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 send you to part D. Debbie Bakel 970-635-1983. Again, small art town has its perks. Patinas are all Debbie does, and she’s great at them. She can get your piece to whatever color/texture finish you’d like.
DO YOUR OFFER PLATING?
We have the ability to gold or silver plate small items. $300 per piece for solid gold, $275 per piece for solid silver plate. ADDS 6-8 WEEKS TO PRODUCTION TIMES.
