So to begin with,the main technique I use is called lost wax casting. More specifically, lost wax investment casting or sometimes its called vacuum casting.

The process , in simplest terms is this: You make the exact piece you want to end up with out of wax or other combustible materials. Traditionally it was wax. Then you pour a hard mold around that piece and then place that hardened mold (with captive wax inside) into some sort of kiln. Then it goes through a range of temperatures from room temp to about 1200f and back down again.

This is known as the burnout process, and after this, you have that same hardened shell, but the wax form inside has melted and turned to carbon smoke and dissipated away. Then molten metal is poured into the negative cavity where the wax was, and it fills that void.

From wax to metal

Then the object is quenched, at which time the hard shell dissolves away from thermal shock, and you re left with a raw casting of the exact thing you made in wax, pus some sprue wires and possible fins that need to be cut off.

The object is placed in a solution called “pickle” and this removes the dull grey outer coating of oxidation leaving the metal silver.

Next comes a series of steps of grinding, sanding polishing and finishing to bring the luster and texture to a desired finish.

Finally, in most cases, prep, box and ship to customer (or it’s ready for customer pickup or delivery) Below are the steps order with in detail for those interested. There’s a few pictures to aid in digestion. They are all taken in my shop of works either made here or currently in process.
I hope you enjoy.

Ken

Wax Carving

Finally, in most cases, prep, box and ship to customer (or it’s ready for customer pickup or delivery) Below are the steps order with in detail for those interested. There’s a few pictures to aid in digestion. They are all taken in my shop of works either made here or currently in process.
I hope you enjoy.

Sprues

Finally, in most cases, prep, box and ship to customer (or it’s ready for customer pickup or delivery) Below are the steps order with in detail for those interested. There’s a few pictures to aid in digestion. They are all taken in my shop of works either made here or currently in process.
I hope you enjoy.

Investment/Burnout

Finally, in most cases, prep, box and ship to customer (or it’s ready for customer pickup or delivery) Below are the steps order with in detail for those interested. There’s a few pictures to aid in digestion. They are all taken in my shop of works either made here or currently in process.
I hope you enjoy.

Pouring Metal

Finally, in most cases, prep, box and ship to customer (or it’s ready for customer pickup or delivery) Below are the steps order with in detail for those interested. There’s a few pictures to aid in digestion. They are all taken in my shop of works either made here or currently in process.
I hope you enjoy.

Raw Casting

Finally, in most cases, prep, box and ship to customer (or it’s ready for customer pickup or delivery) Below are the steps order with in detail for those interested. There’s a few pictures to aid in digestion. They are all taken in my shop of works either made here or currently in process.
I hope you enjoy.

Cleanup/Finishing

Finally, in most cases, prep, box and ship to customer (or it’s ready for customer pickup or delivery) Below are the steps order with in detail for those interested. There’s a few pictures to aid in digestion. They are all taken in my shop of works either made here or currently in process.
I hope you enjoy.

Finished Piece/ Shipping

Finally, in most cases, prep, box and ship to customer (or it’s ready for customer pickup or delivery) Below are the steps order with in detail for those interested. There’s a few pictures to aid in digestion. They are all taken in my shop of works either made here or currently in process.
I hope you enjoy.