The Professionals Choice for Jewelry Casting and Investing. After many pre-sale questions on equipment, we have decided to place the manual on-line.
Set up and operation
Remove the corrugated shipping cover, then place unit on even surface. To operate the unit, it is necessary to fill the vacuum pump with oil.
Filling the Vacuum Pump with Oil
Each bottle of Vacuum Pump Oil comes factory sealed for protection against contamination. Unscrew the cap and remove air tight seal. Replace cap with filter included, cut off spout tip and prepare to fill oil.
Remove brass oil fill cap located on back of unit. Invert spout tip into the oil fill port of pump. Fill slowly until OIL LEVEL reaches upper fill line of sight glass. Replace oil fill plug before operating machine.
Important: Do not use any oil other than Vacuum Pump Oil.
Operating the Vacuum Pump
When the pump is ready for use, uncoil the electrical cord and plug into suitable outlet (120 volts).
Place the vacuum control knob in the “Vacuum Release”position.
Push the toggle switch to the ÖN”position and observe the oil in the sight glass to be sure it remains even with the top of the Oil Level line. It may be necessary to repeat this procedure two or three times until all the required oil has settled into the pump system. Maximum oil capacity is 26.4 ounces.
IMPORTANT: If unit fails to pull a vacuum or pulls the vacuum slowly, check the oil level on the pump-oil must be even with top of line when running.
Testing the Vacuum Investing Table
Place the rubber pad on the vacuum table so that the hole in the pad aligns with the vacuum table intake. Place the Bell Jar on the rubber pad, making sure that the vacuum table intake is inside the Bell Jar. Push the toggle switch to
”ON”, which activates the vacuum pump. Turn the Vacuum Control Knob to the Investment Table position to check Vacuum Pump Gauge.
The vacuum gauge needle should begin to rise immediately and, in less than one minute, should reach 29 inches plus at sea level. If this does not happen, using both hand press firmly on the sides of the Bell Jar to assure a good seal between the Bell Jar and the rubber pad.
Caution: Never push down on the top of the Bell Jar. Excess pressure to this point may cause plastic to break.
Moistening the rubber pad may help in attaining a good seal.
After desired vacuum is achieved, release vacuum by turning Vacuum Control Knob to “Release” position.
Testing the Vacuum Casting Chamber
Make sure the silicon rubber gasket is properly aligned on the vacuum chamber. Add the Vacuum Assist Flask Adapter and, with the vacuum pump running, place the Silicon Rubber Seal off-centered over the hole in the center of the plate so that it will form a seal.
Turn the Vacuum Control Knob to the “Casting Table” setting, and observe the vacuum gauge needle to make certain 29 inches of vacuum (at sea level) is attained. This indicates that the hoses are connected tightly and that the silicon rubber pad is seated properly.
If a full vacuum is not attained, check all seals for air leakage, then repeat test. If all checks are good, machine is ready for use.
***CAUTION***
Always return the vacuum control knob to the “Vacuum Release”
position before turning off the electric motor, otherwise oil will back up through system.
Investing Procedure
Following manufacturer’s recommendations, measure the correct amound of water and pour into mixing bowl. Weigh correct amount of investment material and introduce investment into the water. Stir the water and investment for 2 to 3 minutes, making certain that the investment slurry is very smooth in texture and free of lumps.
Place the mixing bowl containing this slurry on the vacuum table and cover with plastic bell jar. Flip Toggle Switch to ”ON” position. Turn Vacuum Control Knob so that it points to the ”Investment Table” position. The reduced air pressure under the bell jar causes the entrapped air the investment to be released and rise to the surface.
As this happens, the investment slurry will also rise. If it appears that this is happening, tap the corner of the vacuum table sharply several times and slurry level should drop.
At the end of approximately 90 seconds, release the vacuum by turning the Vacuum Control Knob to the “Vacuum Rlease”setting, then turn pump off.
IMPORTANT
Never turn pump off before releasing vacuum, or oil will be sucked from the pump up to the table. Also, never allow the red silicone pad to cover the hole on the casting table while the investment table is in use.
Pour investment mix into the flask. When using conventional, solid wall flask and vacuum assist, it is recommended that a flask extender made of preformed rubber be placed around the top of the flask to prevent overflow of investment during vacuuming.
This allows pouring investment to the top of the flask. When using perforated flask, it is necessary to cover flask perforations (or holes). Flask jackets or preformed rubber is recommeded for this purpose.
Place filled flask under bell jar and activate the pump. Turn the Vacumm Control Knob to the ”Investing Table setting and secure the seal between the bell jar and rubber pad.
Now, vacuum the invested flask for approximately 1 ½ minutes at full vacuum (29 inches at sea level). Care should be taken not to over vacuum investment, since this can remove too much water from the slurry.
Lightly tapping the spring supported vacuum table with the hand will help to relase bubbles from the flask during the vaccum process.
Allow the invested flask to set for approximately two hours before beginning the burout procedure.
Procedures for Vacuum Chamber Casting
Casting in a vacuum chamber requires the use of specially designed perforated flasks. Select the appropriate flask adapter to match the perforated flask. There is an adapter ring for 3 3/8”diameter flask and an adapter ring for 4” diameter flasks. The 5”diameter flask does not require an adapter. Prepare the chamber for the flask as follows:
Place the 5” silicon rubber gasket on top of the recessed casting chamber.
Firmly seat the adapter plate (if using a 3 3/8”of 4” flask) over the seal.
Carfefully align the appropriate silicon rubber ring on the adpater, this will form a tight vacuum seal.
Flask will be placed through the hole in the adapter ring with flange resting on the silicon seal. Note: the sprue end must face up!
The flask should be cast a a temperature between 700 F and 1000 F, depending primarily on the configuaration of the object being cast. Then follow these procedures:
Turn on the vacuum pump and turn the Vacuum Control Knob to the “Casting Table” position. Within a few seconds, the vacuum gauge neele should indicate a vacuum of 20” inches (at sea level) or more, which shows a good seal between the flask and pad.
Melt metal in the handled crucible, fluxing as need. When the metal is ready to cast, pour it quickly from the crucible directly into the mold. Note: vacuum pump must be running during this period. Do not attempt a pour unless a good seal is achieved.
After pouring, allow the flame of the torch to play on the bottom of the button of the metal formed by the pour. This requires only a few seconds, and assures progressive solidification of the metal in the casting.
After completion of the cast, release the vacuum by, first, turning the Vacuum Control Knob to the “Vacuum Release” position, and, second, turning off the pump.
Once all the vacuum is released, allow the flask to cool approximately 2 minutes before removing it from the pad. The cast piece can then be removed by quenching (or allowing flask to cool) and knocking it out with a rawhide mallet.
If you prefer to knock out the piece, care should be taken that the flask is not damaged to the point that a good seal cannot be formed on the next cast.
Note: Before burnout, be sure the investment has been scraped even and level with edges of the bottom of the flask so that the flask will seat firmly on the silicon rubber pad.
Procedures for Vacuum Assist Casting
Casting by vacuum assist is accomplished with the useof standard solid wall flasks and the Vacuum Assist Flask Adapter. It is done a level surface above the casting chamber. Place the 5” silicon rubber gasket on top of the recessed chamber, then place the Vacuum Assist Adapter Plate on top of the rubber seal.
Place the 5 1/2” diameter silicon pad on top of the adapter plate, with the 1/2” hole directly over the hole in the plate. Position the flask so that it’s center is directly over the 1/2” hole in the plate and pad.
Alwasys use a flask which has smooth, even edges in order to achieve a good seal. The flask should be cast at a temperature between 700 F and 1000 F, depending primarily on the configuaration of the object being cast.
Turn on the vacuum pump and turn the Vacuum Control Knob to the “Casting Table” position. Within a few seconds, the vacuum gauge needle should indicate a vacuum of 20 inches (at sea level) or more, which shows a good seal between the flask and pad.
Melt the metal in the handled crucible, fluxing as needed. When the metal is ready to cast, pour it quickly from the crucible directly to the mold. Note: vacuum pump must be running during this period. Do not attempt a pour unless a good seal is achieved.
After pouring, allow the flame of the torch to play on the bottom of the button of the metal formed by the pour. This requires only a few seconds, and assures progressive solidification of the metal in the casting.
After completion of the cast, release the vacuum by, first turning the Vacuum Control Knob to the “Vacuum Release” position, and second, turning off the pump. Once all the vacuum is released, allow the flask to cool approximately 2 mintues before removing it from the pad.
This cast piece can then be removed by quenching (or allowing the flask to cool)
and knocking it out with a rawhide mallet. If you prefer to knock out the piece, , care should be taken that the flask is not damaged to the point that a good seal cannot be formed on the next cast.
Note: before burnout, be sure that the investment has been scraped even and level with the edges of the bottom of the flask so that the flask will seat firmly on the silicon rubber pad. It is practical to hollow or cup the investment slightly to further ensure the seal.
Care of Pump
The oil acts as both a filter and as a seal for the vacuum pump. It should be changed and replaced after every 10 hours of operation. The oil level should be maintained and may be checked by viewing the sight glass.
For pump to operate properly, oil should be even with the top of oil level line when the pump is running.
Oil Change Procedure
In order to sustain maximum life of vacuum pump, it is recommended that the oil be changed every 10 hours of use using standard vacuum oil.
In order to change oil, turn unit’s power off and unplug unit from power supply.
Remove black rubber oil fill cap and loosen oil drain plug located on the bottom right hand side of the unit (please note that oil will not drain unless the oil fill inlet cover is removed). Once oil has been completely drained, re-install the oil drain plug securely into place. Refill unit with oil.
Proudly made in the USA.
