|
|
Post by Travis Nicko on Mar 5, 2011 20:28:44 GMT
Whooo-frickin-hoo! Glad to hear you're recovering, John...make sure to take it slow. Can't wait for the next updates!
|
|
|
|
Post by John Greybeard on Apr 7, 2011 1:53:29 GMT
UPDATE>>>UPDATE>>>UPDATE!!!OK, its been quite a while, I know. I've been back at the foundry for about a week and a half, but on short hours, light duty... But I did manage to get some time in on our project. So here are some long promised photos of the next step in creating the bronze furniture for the Atlantean Warrior swords... DIPPING!!! Wherein the ceramic shell mold is formed around the wax model. You've all seen photos of the wax models - here the wax is "gated" or attached to wax rods and tubes (the red stuff) that will work as conduits for the molten bronze and as vents to allow air to escape the mold when the metal goes in.  Now, this is the part of the process that gives it it's name - cause I'm about to DIP the gated wax into a slurry of ceramic and liquid binder...  Here it goes... [/i]  All sloppy with slurry... hahahahahahaha...but it is kind of purty all white like that, eh?  Now the slopping wet wax gets dipped again - this time into a vat of fine ceramic dust, which will adhere to the wet surface.  This vat is really insane... its got like fifty air jets that shoot the dust up in puffs all around the bottom to get that dust in every nook and cranny of the mold-to-be...  So, now we let the dipped and dusted wax dry (for just the right amount of time) and then we do the whole number over again six more times to get a good thickness of ceramic material coating the wax. When its all dry, we'll put it in a "burn-out" kiln, where the wax will get melted and burned out while the ceramic gets fired into a glass/pottery-like, very hard, very strong, but very brittle, mold. Wait til you see photos of that - think Dante's Inferno... hahahahahahahahaha But thats a photo-shoot for another day!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Stromlo_Swords_USA on Apr 7, 2011 2:38:07 GMT
Thanks John,
Glad you were able to get out of the house and into the foundry (sounds a bit like a pun). Remember to take it slow in recovery though...
Cheers,
Rob
|
|
|
|
Post by Alexander on Apr 7, 2011 2:46:29 GMT
Looking good John, cant wait to see how it turns out.  |
|
ecovolo
Senior Forumite
Retired Moderator
Posts: 2,074
|
Post by ecovolo on Apr 7, 2011 4:52:09 GMT
John, Thanks for the update! Glad to see that you're up and about. Hopefully this means that you're healed up? Looking forward to seeing more about the process, and the swords as they're completed. --Edward |
|
Talon
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,554
|
Post by Talon on Apr 7, 2011 5:02:30 GMT
absolutely gutted i missed the opportunity to own one of these :mrgreen: ,im loving those pics john,the attention to detail on those molds is outstanding |
|
|
|
Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Apr 7, 2011 5:14:42 GMT
whats a bummmer was missing the bare blades for 40$....lol
|
|
|
|
Post by padric101 on Apr 7, 2011 10:16:33 GMT
Nice pictorial on the state of bronze casting. Love show and tell.
|
|
|
|
Post by deejay on Apr 7, 2011 13:41:22 GMT
Hey John-glad to see you out and about.Just remember,take her easy you dont need to semprini yourself up-I know you'll do a great job on these.
|
|
|
|
Post by Student of Sword on Apr 8, 2011 6:31:08 GMT
John,
Man. I would love to video tape the whole process and post it on Youtube.
|
|
|
|
Post by Stromlo_Swords_USA on Apr 9, 2011 20:01:55 GMT
Been a few people asking so I thought I would post this.
Q I have a blade, can I get it made into an Atlantian by John?
A Yes it will be possible to get a set of fittings made for your blade. You would need to send the blade over as the fittings and grip will be peened on. We have options for etching the blade also, and choosing different grips. Basic package would be approx $500 for the bronze fittings, a wood core cord grip, peened construction and a blade etch. If your blade is from the moat sale and still needing cleaning up, expect that to add $50 to remove all pitting.
The other thing is that with the first batch of Atlantian's running a little behind, we have agreed to leave any new ones till after the first run. There are several others looking to get in too - so for now I would bank on it being possible, and watch how these turn out while saving a little towards it.
Q Are there any from the first batch still for sale?
A There is a waiting list, I have had a few people change minds and for those further down the list I am not collecting deposits till we get fully underway. Just PM me and I'll add you to the mix, if you get to the top then we can talk specifics on the various options.
Q I got a blade that is not heat treated, can you do it for me?
A At the moment, no. We take the functionality seriously - and even though they will be quite heavy to swing, and most wont use it, we would prefer H/T to be done by those with more experience.
Best regards,
Rob
|
|
|
|
Post by John Greybeard on Apr 27, 2011 2:14:12 GMT
Hey guys - remember this?  Well, now its this:   Metal poured, ceramic shell mold material half knocked off! We got us a bronze guard #1!!! |
|
|
|
Post by John Lundemo on Apr 27, 2011 3:27:21 GMT
Wow that is amazing, you guys kick ass!
|
|
Sean (Shadowhowler)
VIP Reviewer
Retired Moderator
No matter where you go, there you are.
Posts: 8,828
|
Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Apr 27, 2011 3:34:50 GMT
Yippie! (Does the happy dance... ) |
|
|
|
Post by Travis Nicko on Apr 27, 2011 4:15:38 GMT
Ditto....gettin' exciiiiittteeeeeeddd! :twisted:
|
|
ecovolo
Senior Forumite
Retired Moderator
Posts: 2,074
|
Post by ecovolo on Apr 27, 2011 5:07:43 GMT
*Awesome*, John. Please keep the info coming; we're very excited to see what's going on. --Edward |
|
Talon
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,554
|
Post by Talon on Apr 27, 2011 5:20:37 GMT
stunning,those are going to be epic swords
|
|
|
|
Post by Travis Nicko on May 10, 2011 16:19:54 GMT
'Sup fellas? Any more word on how Atlantean Warrior #1 is coming along?
|
|
|
|
Post by John Greybeard on May 10, 2011 22:58:45 GMT
Got the guard we cast cleaned off of all the mold material - looks like its going to need some detail chasing (cleaning up casting goobers with files and chisel) I'll post some photos tomorrow night!
|
|
ecovolo
Senior Forumite
Retired Moderator
Posts: 2,074
|
Post by ecovolo on May 10, 2011 23:33:33 GMT
Cool, John! Thanks for letting us know what's up. --Edward |
|
