Saturday, 3 December 2016

Four Methods On Doing 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.

Craft the molding. Carve the hard modeling wax piece according to the desired shape. It is recommended to start on creating a simple one since complex ones may be a bit harder if your are a beginner. In making the model, you make use of either a Dremel, precision knife, or some other tool. Attach either 3 or 4 sprues to provide a channel for waxes when melting it out.

Attach the molding to the base of sprue. This can be done by using an amount of melted rubber. The process will be allowing the top of wax to be melted at the bottom of base. And after, leave it for some amount of time. A flask will then be placed on the top of a sprue base. When doing this, make sure to leave a distance of about a quarter inch between the model and flask wall.

Investing the molding. Be sure to have a secured wax model stand from the bottom of casting flask. Secure this by the use of a small amount of a melted wax. See to it that your model is popped up top the flask. After this method, prepare the product for the process of casting. With the use of water, mix all the dry ingredients by following the specific instructions being provided in the mold investment you have chosen.

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.

Allow first the metal for cooling for about 5 to 10 minutes and dunk it into a cold water slowly. The time will also depend upon the metal being melted. Gently tap your mold using a hammer so that the excess plaster will be broken.

Finish your jewelry. Get an angle grinder in cutting lines from the sprues. Hand held grinders are recommended for use than angle grinders since these are more strong. In the firing process, the metal may surely be dingy and dirty. So use some specific washers of metals.




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