Creating the Wax Molds

adding a fine layer of wax to the rubber mold
The foundry uses the "lost wax" process. You can read about it here.

After the clay model is shimmed and the pieces separated, a rubber mold is created. The gentleman in the photo is adding a layer of wax to a mold. The workers in this area of the foundry were working on a moose sculpture. (These photos are not necessarily in the order, but are the order that our guide explained them to me and Sue.)
some molds are small and hollow, so wax is poured
into the cavity.
This woman is adding hollow "legs" to the mold of
a moose antler. The legs allow the bronze to enter
the mold. Unless the molds are three dimensional,
most will have these legs attached.
A wax mold with hollow legs and a pan attached.
The waxed mold of one section of the moose head .

Next . . . finishing the mold

Comments

  1. This is crazy interesting, and I can't wait for the next installment! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. :-)

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  2. It is crazy interesting as Bridget says. So many steps!! Thanks for sharing Nancy.

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  3. I can't "see" the moose head. It will be interesting to see how it all works out.

    Guess I'm not a visionary in the sculpting field. LOL Good thing OTHERS are.

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  4. Wow! This is so interesting. I'm glad you took the time to take these pictures and now are explaining it all to us. I had never thought about all the steps before. I'm looking forward to the next installment of the story.
    Blessings, Betsy

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  5. I can't even bake cutout cookies. THats an amazing tutorial

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  6. What an interesting process! Wouldn't you love to be part of that place! What a cool job!

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