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 molding into a sprue base. This can be an important process so that the top of a wax will be allowed on melting at the bottom of base. Then after, leave this for few hours then put the flask on the sprue base top. When you do this, make sure to observe some distance in between the model and the flask wall, about quarter an inch.

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 your mold investment inside a vacuum chamber in order for the air bubbles to be removed. If there is no vacuum sealer, you can just leave it for awhile like for ten to twenty minutes. Having air bubbles may result to having holes. When the mold is dry already, place the flask in kiln having 600 degrees Celsius. Then after, remove it then check for some obstructions in the bottom of your 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.




About the Author: