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The Methods Involved When Doing The Lost Wax Casting Jewelry

By Stephen West


A process at which the duplicate metal sculptures are casted from original sculptures is referred to as lost wax casting. Brass, silver, bronze, and gold are the most common examples of materials which are widely used. The achievement of the intricate works will be highly dependent on a sculptors skills and also by applying this method. These days, there are already a lot of different foundries the process has. The steps are having fair standards, especially bronze sculptures.

The process of casting jewelry involves making some jewelry pieces and this would include pouring liquid metal alloys into a molding. Since before, the technique has been utilized already and even until now, this is still being utilized widely, usually by the home crafters and the craftsmen when making original jewelry pieces. So whenever you have decided on starting to create your own piece, follow these methods in lost wax casting jewelry.

Crafting your molding. Begin on carving your preferred piece of hard modeling wax. You may choose your own shape. If possible, create only a very simple one, especially for beginners, and avoid those difficult ones. When you make your own model, some tools may be used such as a precision knife and a Dremel. Attach three to four sprues for providing channel for the waxes when these are melted.

Attach your molding into the base of the sprue by the use of a small amount of a melted rubber. This process will allow the wax top be melted from the bases bottom and then leave your mold. Place the flask at the top of sprue base and make sure that there is a distance for about quarter inch in between the flask wall and model.

Invest your molding. Secure the stand of wax model into the casting flasks bottom using a melted wax. Make sure that the model will be popped up into the flask. In this method, the product is now ready for casting. Mix all dry ingredients with water. Based on the instructions provided in your chosen mold investment, follow them carefully.

Place the mold investment in the vacuum chamber for the removal of air bubbles. If the vacuum sealer is not acquired, you may just set it aside for about 10 to 20 minutes. Air bubbles often result to having some holes in the final product. After the mold has been dried, place the flask inside a kiln for about 600 degrees Celsius. After a certain amount of time, remove it and check if there are any obstructions at the bottom of mold.

Casting your jewelry. The metal you have chosen is then placed into pouring crucible then is melted in a foundry. Both time and temperature are dependent on the metals being used. After pouring the metal into molding, cast it by the use of centrifugal machine. Centrifugal machines are used very commonly by those professional makers.

The metal should be cooled first, usually for five to ten minutes then dunk it slowly to cold water. The time also depends on the melted metal. Tap gently the mold by a hammer to break any excess plaster.

Finishing the jewelry. Get the angle grinder and cut the sprue lines. Hand held grinders can be used as well for faster operations because these are much stronger. After doing the firing process, the material maybe dirty and dingy so better use metals specific washers when cleaning.




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