Clay Wax

The method of lost wax casting method is a metal that was used for six thousand years. Virtually unchanged since been used by the ancients, is used now to create pieces such as sculptures in bronze, silver jewelry personalized, dental care, or even auto parts.

"Lost Wax" or lost wax casting method is a metal that has been used for more than six thousand years. In essence, it is the pouring of metal into a mold created from the wax, resulting in complex shapes to create otherwise impossible. The lost wax method is used today to create pieces such as sculptures in bronze, a silver pendant, a gold dental crown, or even a piece of automotive alloy.

The lost wax method is the best way to create intricate designs in metal, it is commonly used to manufacture custom designed jewelry. The technology and tools have evolved, of course, but the method is essentially the same as when it was used in ancient Egypt.

The artist will first sculpt his masterpiece in clay, wax or other malleable material. Then, the model is encased in plaster or fiberglass to create a mold. An inner mold is often created during this time also, by pouring liquid rubber around the model. This preserves the finest of details, important because when the plaster is broken apart, the original model is usually destroyed.

When the two halves are put back together, the result is the master mold. The interior is empty space, a "negative" of the original. Hot wax is then poured into the space to coat sides. Depending on the size of the room, a number of coatings may be necessary. The hollow wax copy of a nearly perfect replica of the original, is then removed (multiple copies can be created at that time).

The wax copy is then "hunted" by using heated tools to remove the seams where the mold came together. Each copy is carefully "dressed" to hide the imperfections remaining.

Then the "carrots" are attached to the piece, which are essentially small rods of wax that will result in tiny metal tubes to flow, and air flow.

The wax replica is then coated with ceramic materials and fired. At this stage, the wax on the bottom, hence the term "lost wax". Negative space is now (and the small roads left by the sprue). Finally, the molten metal hot can be poured into the mold in the exact form of the original model.

The piece of metal is also pursued to remove the marks left by the casting, and detailed to perfection. If in fact a bronze sculpture, this is when the final act of adding color occurs.

The method of lost wax can be used with any material that will disappear (melt or burn) and leave a vacuum mold. For example, some manufacturers are making models of motor unit on a synthetic foam, which vaporize when heated. This complex process allows every detail to be shaped in the most delicate metals. This makes it ideal for jewelry.

When working with small pieces of jewelry as the process differs slightly from that metal can not be poured into a mold so tiny. Instead, the liquid metal is injected into the space bounded by centrifugal casting (a machine that uses centrifugal force) or vacuum casting (using atmospheric pressure).

Artisans like jewelry John use the lost wax method for etch inspiration in their heritage jewels. They specialize in silver bells handcrafted and silver pendants, and with intricate detail they convey emotion beautiful custom silver jewelry. These complex designs would not be possible without this method of casting old.