Lost Wax Casting: Theory
THE PROPOSITION
Re-create a sculpture of any material in bronze.
THE THEORY
A sculpture-shaped cavity is made. This cavity is defined by a shell. The shell includes passageways through which molten bronze can reach the cavity and vents through which air can escape. It can withstand the heat of molten bronze and can be removed once the bronze has solidified.
THE METHOD
1. Make a sculpture in any material.
2. Make a mold of the sculpture.
3. Pour melted wax into the mold.
4. Remove the solidified wax sculpture from the mold.
5. Attach wax rods (sprues) to the wax sculpture.
6. Build a shell around the wax.
7. Melt the wax out of the shell.
8. Pour molten bronze into the empty shell.
9. Allow the bronze to solidify.
10. Break away the shell.
11. Cut off the sprues.
12. Re-sculpt areas where sprues were removed.
13. Smooth the rough surface as necessary.
