Old Vintage Tattoo Machine
This is a blast from the past we found while we were clearing out all the old parts and tattoo kits in the worksite. It is a vintage tattoo machine, from 2004. The frame was a cast iron frame. This old tattoo machine was found amongst the frames and parts we used to use to build cast iron frame machines. The process we would use to make the frame was called lost wax casting.
Lost Wax Casting Tattoo Machine
Same process my brother Mark uses to make jewelry. We make a rubber mold of the master frame. Pour in molten wax into the rubber mold and compress it. Put the cooled wax, now formed into the shape of the frame into an investment powder flask. Process the investment powder into liquid, pour into investment powder flask. Allow the investment powder to dry and solidify. Heat the flask to allow the wax to drain out. We now have the form of the frame in the solidified investment powder contained in the flask. Put the flask into a centrifugal casting machine. Superheat the iron into molten iron. Wind up the centrifugal casting machine, pour in the molten iron and let the machine whip the iron into the flask, filling the shape of the frame. Bust the flask open and chisel out the iron frame. Sand and polish the frame, oil finishes it and we are done. Doesn’t sound that complicated while I’m describing the process in words, but this whole process takes roughly 2 days to finish.
