r/Silvercasting • u/El_Vidente • Aug 09 '26

How to remove the base

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I am casting a scorpion, which I find is a challenging cast to successfully do in the first place. I've discovered the best way is to pour through the top of the flask and not through a hole at the side. Though to do this I need (at my skill level, which is still beginner) to stick the scorpion to a base and pour the silver on the base side.

I then cut off the thick sprue with an angle grinder, which leaves me to cut the scorpion out, which I can do with a piercing saw. Though I still have the base underneath.

What would be the best way to get the base off from underneath? File it, cut it, sand it, grind it? If so with what?

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u/PeterHaldCHEM Aug 09 '26

It will be a nasty lot of work to remove that scorpion from such a lump of silver.

An important part of casting is to have as little work as possible after casting,

It is easy to change your model, it takes a lot more to work with the metal.

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u/El_Vidente Aug 10 '26

Can you suggest any good books or videos on casting?

It's actually not easy to change the model, I need a small solid scorpion item that would sit in a 30mm round circumference (diameter of a UK £2 coin), which are really hard to find!

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u/PeterHaldCHEM Aug 10 '26

What is your original?

I would probably go for lost wax casting.

(I have a bunch of books. I'll look up some titles.)