Complete Course

Home enthusiasts discuss their Foundry & Casting work.

Moderator: Harold_V

Post Reply
RONALD
Posts: 754
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2003 7:27 am

Complete Course

Post by RONALD »

Here is a web site that was just posted on the Alloy Avenue metal casting site.

It's almost a complete "course" in Lost Wax Shell Mold Casting.

Some of us have done such casting, but not on such a grand scale:

http://www.rosettasculpture.com/Making_ ... f-Life.pdf
User avatar
steamin10
Posts: 6712
Joined: Sun Jun 08, 2003 11:52 pm
Location: NW Indiana. Close to Lake Michigan S. tip

Re: Complete Course

Post by steamin10 »

Thanks for putting up this rather complete photo series on art casting. It should be noted that all the founding skills are portrayed if not a bit dodgy, as this focuses on the building of BIG art pieces, for the lost wax casting. Other wise it is the same process that very small and precise work can be done, much like jewelry rings, and engineered castings for our hobbies. The difference is the detail in size, not method, for giant art.

Once more, thank you for posting such a visual trip.
Big Dave, former Millwright, Electrician, Environmental conditioning, and back yard Fixxit guy. Now retired, persuing boats, trains, and broken relics.
We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smart. My computer beat me at chess, but not kickboxing
It is not getting caught in the rain, its learning to dance in it. People saying good morning, should have to prove it.
dorin
Posts: 606
Joined: Thu Nov 28, 2002 5:24 am

Re: Complete Course

Post by dorin »

Just out of curiosity, is the plaster-of-paris used for lost wax casting, the same as you buy at Walmart for art projects,
or is it a special mix?
Thanks,
Mike
www.chaski.com
User avatar
Harold_V
Posts: 20232
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2002 11:02 pm
Location: Onalaska, WA USA

Re: Complete Course

Post by Harold_V »

dorin wrote:Just out of curiosity, is the plaster-of-paris used for lost wax casting, the same as you buy at Walmart for art projects,
or is it a special mix?
Thanks,
Mike
It is not the same thing as plaster-of-paris, although it appears identical. They are not to be confused with one another.

Harold
Wise people talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something.
dorin
Posts: 606
Joined: Thu Nov 28, 2002 5:24 am

Re: Complete Course

Post by dorin »

Sort of thought that.
-Mike
www.chaski.com
User avatar
steamin10
Posts: 6712
Joined: Sun Jun 08, 2003 11:52 pm
Location: NW Indiana. Close to Lake Michigan S. tip

Re: Complete Course

Post by steamin10 »

Plaster of Paris is used for the art carving, not the molding. The art is worked in plaster, and the casting is done in refractory slurry.

The material in the hardware that is 'casting plaster' is stand alone material for lamp bases, artwork cast in rubber, and hand work. Another use is in the making of master molds for slip that is shell molding for ceramics fired in a kiln.

Plaster exposed to metal temperatures, will explode, much like concrete, as the high temps will de-hydrate the plaster, actually baking it out. The shell mold will not as it is a variety of clay slip, that is baked out, and does not revert to sheding water or steam.
Big Dave, former Millwright, Electrician, Environmental conditioning, and back yard Fixxit guy. Now retired, persuing boats, trains, and broken relics.
We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smart. My computer beat me at chess, but not kickboxing
It is not getting caught in the rain, its learning to dance in it. People saying good morning, should have to prove it.
RONALD
Posts: 754
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2003 7:27 am

Re: Complete Course

Post by RONALD »

There is a big difference between using POP, or any of the other stuff sold at craft stores, etc., and what the professionals use.

Shell Casting with Ceramic Slurry is used by industry and artists and is shown in that PDF. Look at the details at:

http://www.ransom-randolph.com/ceramic- ... sting.html

For making small parts you would use Lost Wax Casting. Look at the details at:

http://www.ransom-randolph.com/jewelry-casting.html

I use R&R Ultra-Vest for my lost wax casting,

http://www.ransom-randolph.com/low-temp ... lloys.html

http://www.riogrande.com/Search/Ultra-Vest
Post Reply