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Q&As since 1989


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D.I.Y. bronze casting- Ceramic Shell technique

 

We are sculptors who wish to set up a small ceramic shell casting foundry to cast our own work in bronze. We need information on how to build and insulate the two drums required for burning out the wax and melting the bronze. We also need to know the specification on the torch size made from plumbing fittings.

Jane McAdam Freud & Hywel Wyn Jones
Open Art Circle - Middlesex, London, UK

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Your question as to what to line a drum with for the construction of a kiln for melting wax and bronze. You will need ceramic fibre blanket for the interior of the kiln, this is made of compressed silica and alumina fibres, here is a list of what you will need to produce a single burner kiln. Fiberfrax blanket 8 Ib density,1260 grade,25.mm x 610.mm, a small role of Nichrome wire for securing the blanket to the drum. Bullfinch propane torch kit, standard handle no.1340, Model 1260. short extension tube no.1112, variable regulator.reg2. This will deliver 25 psi of gas. This will get you up to around 1260 to 1300 degrees in about twenty minutes. When handling the ceramic fibre blanket, use a dust mask. I hope this will be of some help,I have built a couple of these kilns over the years.

Many thanks,

John Cattell
- Southampton, Hampshire, UK

I'm trying to get the formula for the mold of Bronze shell casting, if you have different formulas that I am in Egypt and it is not easy to find materials.

Nagy Fareed
private sculptor - Cairo, Heliopolis, Egypt
2003