02/03 - 03/10 Lost Wax Casting for the Small Studio (6 weeks)

Mondays, February 3 - March 10, 2025 
4:00 - 6:00 pm PDT
6, 2-hour sessions

Instructor: Jennifer Stenhouse

This class is an exploration of lost wax casting for jewelry scale objects in the small studio which allows students to cast models and prototypes in their own studios. Sometimes referred to as micro-casting, students will learn to operate on a smaller scale with confidence!

Students will learn the essentials of the entire casting process, from making wax models, sprueing, investing, casting, and finishing. The primary focus will be on using vacuum casting, although other casting techniques will also be discussed. Topics covered will include the proper use of tools and equipment for best casting results. Students may work with a variety of waxes to create models. The primary goal is to empower students to be able to cast safely on a small scale in their own spaces. This is a great class for those who have limited studio space, want to cast one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, only need to cast occasionally, or wish to create prototypes.

Recommended Prerequisite: Casting Solutions for the Small Studio.
Students should be curious and have a creative DIY spirit, along with basic jewelry skills, including sawing, filing, soldering, and finishing techniques.

All Levels

All classes include the video recording, which you will have access to for 60 days after the class. The Zoom link, handouts, video(s), and other important information can be found by clicking on the individual class link on the "My Courses" page. The Zoom link and handout (if any) will be available 24 hours before the class starts.

You also get 1 free session of Open Studio Access (OSA) in the month following your class, the Zoom link can be found on the course video access page.

The class supply list is below and contains links to buy the supplies you need.

Supply List for Students

The links below will take you to RioGrande.com or other suppliers. To see prices for precious metal items, you need a free Rio Grande account. Students in the Rio for Schools program enjoy wholesale benefits for six months (instructor code = RFSLMF). This site may contain Amazon and other affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases.

Recommended Materials

• Students can use clean sterling scrap, left over from fabrication, to cast or may make their own sterling silver alloy from fine silver scrap, or fine silver coin, and copper.
• Notebook and pen or pencil

Wax Tools and Supplies

• Wax carving tools
• Alcohol lamp or hot tool(s)
• Wax or coarse files
• Wax or course rotary burs
• Saw & spiral wax blades
• Miscellaneous waxes, including sprue wax assortment and sticky wax

Investment Supplies

• Have a clean working surface - can be newspaper, newsprint, or a silicone surface
• Investment
• Room temperature water (tap or distilled)
• Gloves
• Dust mask or respirator
• Steel or rubber bowl
• Silicone spatula
• Timer
• 1-gallon bucket
• Vacuum chamber & pump
• Kiln or oven for burnout
• Flasks with bases

Casting Equipment and Supplies

• Casting setup (Vacuum or centrifugal. Go with what you have prepared)
  • Centrifugal Casting: you will need the centrifugal unit, crucibles that are designed for the machine, and an area set up for safely casting with this method.
  • Vacuum Casting: vacuum pump and table. Heat resistant gaskets
• Carbon stirring rod, small 1 foot long
• Borax for flux (20 Mule Team Borax works great. Available at most grocery stores in the detergent section)
• Torch to melt the metal you have. (Good to know what your max capacity for this is)
• Crucible and pouring handle (for small-scale casting pinch crucibles work well)
• Heat protective gloves
• Safety glasses
• Bucket of water to quench and rinse flasks
• Nylon bristle brush for washing out
• Old ordinary dinner knife
• A little ultra-sonic type of bath with dish soap and white vinegar, (Optional for cleaning off investment)

Clean-up

• 2 to 2/0 saw blade to remove spruces
• Your regular jewelry polishing equipment

Suggested Reading

• Modeling in Wax for Jewelry and Sculpture by Lawrence Kallenberg
• Practical Casting by Tim McCreight
• The Complete Metalsmith by Tim McCreight