Learn to grow bismuth crystals and make bismuth eggs. Develop the working knowledge of crystal sizing and oxidation control to produce a product better than the stove top hobbyist versions. Create a couple DIY's along the way to aid other people and share knowledge. Create some fascinating and beautiful crystals!
Each DIY will get its own page, I will blog the progress of each section and build each DIY after every step's functionality is confirmed.
The planned DIY's with basic outlines;
How to build A glove box, while most people probably wont need one for this project there is a serious lack of DIY's for this simple build. A little labor that can save 1000's of dollars. I wouldn't transfer infectious materials in a home built glove box... I also don't ever intend on possessing any either.
How to build A glove box;
The simple design using a fish tank or storage container is almost finished.
The custom acrylic box design is close behind.
The simple design using a fish tank or storage container is almost finished.
The custom acrylic box design is close behind.
A simple egg mold for small runs from RTV Silicone. (Room Temperature Vulcanizing)
This will be a simple 2 part mold made from high temp RTV. The max operating temp of RTV is a little below the pouring temp of Bismuth. This mold will break down and only be usable for a limited number of runs.
A simple Mold
Considerations of shape
A form
The first 1/2
The second 1/2
Completed and ready
A less simple egg mold from a refractory clay for production.
Using the RTV egg mold to create a refractory mold. You build a form to contain your new mold and make a negative of it. Then cast a new object from this form and you get a much more durable mold, as well as having a master to remake this mold again.
A less simple Mold
Considerations of shape
A form
The first 1/2
The second 1/2
Completed and ready
How to grow bismuth crystals.
SAFETY
Melt and pour methods.
Melt in a crucible
pour into a warmed/heated or insulated bowl
wait for "soft set" pour off and shake
Suspended growing.
Setup
Temp control
Suspension apparatus
Seed crystals
Process and examples
www.bismuthguy.com
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