A SYNOPSIS OF LOST WAX CASTING

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Justin Gibbs
6 years ago
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A SYNOPSIS OF LOST WAX CASTING Casting is the process of carving a wax

Jeweler s wax is very hard and feels like plastic.

The blue wax is softer then the purple and green wax.

The purple wax is slightly harder and less flexible than the blue wax.

1 A SYNOPSIS OF LOST WAX CASTING Casting is the process of carving a wax model using jeweler s wax. Jeweler s wax is very hard and feels like plastic. It comes in different sizes, shapes, and hardness. The blue wax is softer then the purple and green wax. It is also more flexible. The purple wax is slightly harder and less flexible than the blue wax. The green wax is the hardest and is not flexible. It allows for very fine detail in the carving. Any type of tool can be used to carve wax. Jeweler s burs, gravers Files, Exacto Knife, and Metal Millimeter Gauge

Here is an example of a finished wax model.

hardware, small sculpture, and other small items can be made.

After the model is finished, it is placed onto a rubber stand.

2 Here is an example of a finished wax model. Using lost wax casting, items like doorbells, jewelry, hardware, small sculpture, and other small items can be made. This is a doorbell wax model. After the model is finished, it is placed onto a rubber stand. This is a photo of a sea lion wax model mounted on the rubber stand. The wax model on the rubber base is attached to the flask.

The flask is filled with a substance called Investment.

After the Investment has setup (at least an hour), the rubber bottom is removed from the flask.

time of 12 hours! This leaves an open cavity inside the Investment.

Some casters use a Vacuum Casting Machine and others use a Centrifugal Casting Machine.

facing towards the crucible. The crucible has a hole opening towards the flask.

3 The flask is filled with a substance called Investment. Investment is a plaster substance mixed with fine particles of glass. After the Investment has setup (at least an hour), the rubber bottom is removed from the flask. The flask is placed into a kiln and the wax is burned out to a temperature of 1200 degrees over a time of 12 hours! This leaves an open cavity inside the Investment. The hot flask is removed from the kiln and placed on a casting machine. Some casters use a Vacuum Casting Machine and others use a Centrifugal Casting Machine. Pictured here are bronze nuggets inside the melting crucible and the flask with the opening facing towards the crucible. The crucible has a hole opening towards the flask. This is a Vacuum Casting Machine. This is a Centrifugal Casting Machine. (I use Centrifugal). The arm is wound up to the right and held back with a post. Once the metal is liquid the post is dropped allowing the arm to unwind, forcing the metal into the flask.

The metal is melted in a crucible (a ceramic

While the metal is melting hot (in liquid

This photo shows the metal item inside the

4 The metal is melted in a crucible (a ceramic pot) using a torch. While the metal is melting hot (in liquid form), it is forced into the open cavity in the Investment. The flask is then placed in a bucket of water while it is hot bursting the investment apart, leaving the cast item. This photo shows the metal item inside the flask after being submerged into water. The cast item is cleaned, polished, stones set, etc, and made ready for market.

ABOUT JANET ALEXANDER J Bio: Janet is an accomplished metal artist with her work shown in museums across Texas and published in several books and magazines, Contemporary Metal Clay Rings, Metal Clay

5 ABOUT JANET ALEXANDER J Bio: Janet is an accomplished metal artist with her work shown in museums across Texas and published in several books and magazines, Contemporary Metal Clay Rings, Metal Clay in Color, American Craft Magazine, Metal clay Artist Magazine, Contemporary Metal Clay Rings, Metal Clay 101 for Beaders, and in New Directions: Powder Metallurgy in a Sheet Metal World. She also is an author of many online tutorials, magazines, and books. She has over 38 years experience in jewelry metal arts as a bench jeweler, designer, and instructor. Janet is a National Jewelry Instructor teaching at conventions, and bead shows including Bead & Button, Interweave Bead Fest, Adorn Me, and Metal Clay by the Bay. While appearing on HGTV Crafters Coast to Coast and That s Clever demonstrating she demonstrated the process of lost wax casting and wax carving techniques. Janet has a BFA in Metals from the University of North Texas and has studied metal working with several Master Jewelers. She has GIA certification in diamond grading and stone setting. Additionally, she has certification in Precious Metal Clay with Rio Grande, Crossover Certification with Art Clay, and is a PMC Connection Senior Instructor and Technical Advisor for the PMC Connection. Janet s website and social network website both contain free tutorials, and videos on the subject of creating jewelry. Their addresses are: and

Lost Wax Casting: Investment/Centrifugal Casting Instructor Notes

Lost Wax Casting: Investment/Centrifugal Casting Instructor Notes Reliability This is a complex procedure, and might have to be repeated more than once. Results are often a boost in students pride and