The Methods Involved When Doing The Lost Wax Casting Jewelry

By Stephen West


Lost wax casting is one process in which a sculpture of the duplicate metal will be casted from its original sculpture. Some of the commonly used materials for this include bronze, brass, gold, or silver. Depending upon the sculptors skills, the achievement of intricate works can be done with this method. Nowadays, this process have been made already with different foundries. Also, the steps being used have fair standards, specifically the sculptures of bronze.

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 the jewelry. The metal of your choice will then be placed to a pouring crucible then it will be melted in foundry. The time and as well as the temperature depend on what kind of metals being used. After the metal is poured into the molding, use the centrifugal machine to cast it. These machines are commonly used by 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.

Finish the jewelry. Make use of the angle grinder when cutting the lines from sprues. But it would be recommended that the hand held grinder will be used since it is more strong. During the process of firing, a metal may possibly be left dirty and dingy. So make use of specific washers for metals. Also use enamel clothes, files, polishes, etc. When cleaning.




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