Introduction to Lost Wax Casting

Introduction to Lost Wax Casting
Charms, pendants, and rings are just a few items that can be made using a method called lost wax casting. In this process, a wax (or sometimes plastic) mold is used to create a piece of jewelry. This wax mold, called a pattern, is first weighed so the amount of metal required to fill the mold (gold, silver, etc.) can be determined. Then the mold is attached to a base, and a flask is slipped over the base. Once the mold is in the flask, a kind of plaster that looks like pan cake batter called investment, is mixed up, put in a vacuum to get all the air bubbles out of it, and then poured into the flask. It is then left to dry and harden. This takes a minimum of two hours. Once the investment is dried, the base and flask are removed. Now the piece is put into an oven to burn out the wax. Next a centrifuge is used to force the melted metal into the investment mold. Finally, the piece is cleaned up by filing and polishing it. lost Wax Casting Supplies
You'll need sticky wax, designer wax, a stainless steel tumbler, a rubber base, a sleeve that fits over the tumbler, a tool for scoop the wax (I got this one at a ceramics store), and a lamp. Preparing the Wax Mold Attach the sprue onto the wax mold using sticky and designer wax, and then weighed it to the amount of metal needed for casting. Casting Complete Once you stop the spinning, pull the tumbler out. Here you can see there is a circular piece of metal at the bottom of the tumbler. This is called the button.