What I really want to do is get into my wax carving and lost wax casting. I want to live up to my motto: "Doing what I love for those who love what I do." No one loves (maybe they "like") me for say, just running my web store.

I need several more major items before I can move farther along in my creative lost wax passion. I have the carving process well in hand so the items I need compose the casting system. The hurdle to this whole process is the initial equipment investment. So many ways to go.

I have received training in the spin casting method. There is another process called vacuum assisted casting. A vacuum is required to degas the investment casting material before firing in the kiln. It's a given even though there are always folks who do it "their" way and don't degas with vacuum. That same vacuum can also be used to draw a vacuum on the casting flask (the investment is somewhat porous to air). So when casting, just pour the melted metal into the top of the mold which is having the air "pulled" out the bottom by the vacuum.

Both methods work well and each have their proponents, but I have noticed the "pros" mostly use the vacuum method.

I have decided to just suck an egg and go with a vacuum system. Far less dramatic than a wildly spinning flask but also far more control in my opinion. I am also going to avoid the torch melt and its inherent risks and dangers and its poor oxygen contamination control and use a carbon-graphite crucible electric melting furnace.

With very hot metal there is always risk and with my PN strength issues I need to reduce as many steps and hot metal movements as possible.

The major items I intend to purchase is an electrical metal melting furnace that uses a carbon-graphite crucible and also purchase a bell jar vacuum degassing table that will also draw a vacuum on a solid flask for vacuum assisted casting. Each machine cost about $700 retail. I already have a nice but fairly "pricey" hi-temp kiln.

That's a serious investment but if I had a "lot" of spare cash I suppose I could start with much larger system. I decided I would like to put my toe in the water and check the depth before I take a deep plunge. If I ever need anything more than this to have fun, then I can let the results pay for the upgrades. It has always worked for me.

Both the kiln and the vacuum table can be used (are required) in other art-crafts disciplines so the use of my cash investment goes far beyond the scope of the single purpose lost wax casting process.

UPDATE 5/22/14 - The suction system shown here has been ordered. I might have been able to home brew a slightly less expensive system and fewer featured system, but there are many special purpose parts that increase the value of this commercial product and it is all contained in a small package. A vacuum pump is included but is separate. Action taken.

The high temperature furnace to the right has been put on hold. For the size of the projects I will be making, it is a bit of a costly extravagance. I have several cases of high temp firebrick and an excellent torch system, so I will be melting silver, brass and bronze using a small crucible in an open firebrick chamber to contain and concentrate the heat. All I need is a crucible for each type of metal.