6 Simple Steps to Becoming a Lost Wax Pro

Lost wax casting blends old and new in truly remarkable fashion. Our industry is constantly changing, adapting ancient techniques to modern technology. So, we’ve asked our experts to walk us through lost wax casting:

STEP 1 –

Wax patterns are made by one of the following ways: carving, build-up, hand , or mold reproduction.

STEP 2 – SPRUING OR SETTING UP

Spruing is the leading cause of shrinkage porosity, or the pits you see during polishing. Fix this by ensuring the following: • The should be thicker than the heaviest part of the pattern.

• It should also be attached to the heaviest part of the pattern as well.

• The sprue should be no longer than is absolutely necessary.

These are much more effective than looking for that optimum (magical) cast temp.

STEP 3 – INVESTING

Investing is more chemistry than craft. Measure your powder and water and follow your supplier’s instructions for mixing, curing, and burnout. Keep this in mind: your casting surface is only as good as your wax and investing procedures.

• Weigh investment material and measure water according to manufacturer’s recommendation.

• Fill containing wax pattern and either vacuum or vibrate to remove air from the slurry.

• Allow invested mold to air-dry for two hours or more before starting the burnout.

STEP 4 – BURNOUT

• Place invested flask in furnace preheated to 300ºF. Hold at this temperature for one hour or until the wax has drained.

• Raise temperature at the rate of 300º/400ºF per hour until temperature of 1350ºF is reached.

• Hold temperature at 1350ºF for two hours or more.

• Drop temperature to the desired temperature for casting. Check the burnout oven to be sure there is adequate air supply and exhaust.

STEP 5 – CASTING

If possible, use an alloy that is formulated for . This will give you cleaner, brighter and recycle longer. Always add fresh metal to keep it rejuvenated. Unfortunately, you can’t roll or fabricate a deoxidized material.

• Mold temperature at the time of casting is determined by the size of the casting. For example, delicate rings are usually cast into molds of approximately 1000ºF while molds for heavy rings are usually cast at about 700ºF.

• When vacuum-assist casting, the sprue should be about 25% larger than that used when casting with a centrifugal casting machine.

• The weight of gold is 14 times that of wax.

• The weight of silver and bronze is nine times that of wax.

STEP 6 – CLEAN UP

Often, we discount the importance of proper quenching techniques. Quenching at the right time with the correct method for that alloy will ensure good mechanical properties at the bench. Get advice from your metal supplier. All precious metal alloys, especially nickel-white gold, respond well to quenching.

• Flasks containing gold or silver castings can be quenched in water four or five minutes after casting.

• Fire scale and discoloration can be removed with an acid pickle solution.

Here are some of our top recommendations for lost wax casting equipment:

For Vacuum Casting: 22-1305 For Spin Casting: 22-3600

And for investment: For Gold/Silver: For Resin: 22-4748 For platinum: 22-4745 22-4746

Have any lost wax casting questions? Ask away in our comments section below and we’ll get our Tools Tech experts to help you out!

The Evolution of Casting

With roots that go back 5,000 years, the evolution of casting blends old and new in truly remarkable fashion. Our industry is constantly changing, adapting ancient techniques to modern technology. In this fusion of design and processes, we discover a melting pot of past, present, and future that fuels the passion of today’s jewelers.

The Evolution of Casting

The mix of customers is also evolving. What do you know about today’s customer? It is virtually impossible to create one all-encompassing description. One may come into a jewelry store and, as in years past, choose something from the showcase. But in continuously increasing numbers, customers request one-of-a-kind jewelry that reflects their unique personalities.

This customized jewelry trend has been growing for quite some time and shows no signs of slowing down. Whether you are new to casting or a professional with years of experience, you can capitalize on this growing demand for custom jewelry. Become a store that is focused on custom design. Purchase design software, such asCounterSketch ® or Matrix®, and encourage your customers to let you help them design their dream jewelry. Invest in your shop to upgrade your casting equipment for efficiency, safety, and capability to cast the mountings your customers want.

Endless Possibilities with Casting

Through the evolution of casting, it’s now possible to create things that artisans of the past couldn’t have even dreamed. What was once deemed impossible is now possible due to the technological advances in , investment, wax, plastics, resins, equipment, and more.

Think back a few years. You used to have only one investment option. Now there are different types designed for specific purposes. Some metal qualities, such as platinum and palladium, require investment that can withstand greater temperatures. Many intricate designs need a stronger investment to maintain the details better. Other metal alloys, such as Continuum® sterling silver or X1 white gold®, may need investment with a quicker breakout to lessen the stress during cooling. The beautiful thing is that there is a perfect fit for whatever you are casting.

Know Your Stuff

Knowing the material with which you are working is extremely important. Some of this knowledge comes with experience, but there are a few tried and true facts that you can always keep in mind. Waxes can be used to create just about anything. Plastics are geared more toward mass production because they require a metal mold.

Resins work completely different. The work comes in on the front end during the design process in CounterSketch or Matrix. A 3D printer actually grows the resin. Equipment has come a long way as well. You can find anything from just the basics to a complete professional manufacturing setup. Just as your customers are requesting jewelry unique to them, your shop and your casting needs are unique to you.

Whether you want something that is fully automatic or want to control every detail, there’s a machine for you. If you focus mostly on platinum and palladium, you would do well with a centrifugal casting machine. If your shop is gold and silver focused, your pick would probably be a vacuum-assisted casting machine. Today’s machinery incorporates technology and features to keep you safer and increase your efficiency.

The technological advances in the science of metallurgy have gifted artisans with more options than they have ever had. Sure, the classic gold, platinum, and sterling silver will always be top choices. But even within these, there are many options utilizing different alloys that work well for different customers and artistic endeavors. Never has it been easier to balance the design details, metal intricacies, and customer budget. How Can Stuller Help You Succeed?

Stuller has evolved over the years as well. Our casting department started with two employees and has grown to number 34 people, most with 15-30 years experience. As our department has grown in people, it has also grown in equipment. What began as a three-oven operation is now 30- ovens, accommodating between 6,000 and 10,000 customer- focused castings every day. This state-of-the art casting operation is clean, well maintained, and exceeds every safety standard. We also support our CAM services team by casting the CAD designs that you, our customers, send in for casting. We inspect each individually and determine which equipment will deliver the best results. Whether you are casting it yourself or sending it to us to cast for you, you can be assured that experienced craftsmen are ready to deliver exactly what you need. Our Tech Team is just a phone call away (800-877-7777, ext.4300) when you need help. Visit BenchJeweler.com for more casting tips from our experts.

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Do you cast your own pieces? Tell us in the comments section below.

*This article was written by Keri Barrouse, Marketing Copywriter, with the help of subject matter expert, Casting Director, Dennis Busby.