DIY Bronze Casting using Lost Wax Method. FROM CHEESE TO BRONZE!

[@stevenedwards4470]

Why did you add sand to the plaster? Does that help somehow? I'm almost up to the plaster stage.

[@jesus2621]

So what did you use?

[@stevenedwards4470]

@@jesus2621 I incorporated the sand and made a mold However, I failed to melt the silver property. I put that down to an improperly glazed crucible. I do have several nice injection wax castings of the ring I'd like. Could ballpark the cost of having a pro jeweler throw the metal for me? I have no sense of what that should be and I've been holding off in that regard.

[@hemrajsarojs]

can you tell which sand and plaster you have used? please mention or give a link if possible, thank you

[@rjd72577]

try mixing fine "silt" sand in the plaster ..also i use "dry wall repair" plaster .. and i cant say actual times but a long cooling time before quench makes a hard and often brittle bronze vs a shorter time makes a softer bronze ..(3 years experience becker metal works "foundry" st.clair michigan)

[@at3sams]

Just a novice here with a question. Is he using green sand, or regular when he mixes it with the plaster?

[@rjd72577]

@@at3sams not sure which is used here ..i use the finest of dust mixed with sand from my driveway mixed with watery plaster ..with a long drying time and careful care to not allow excessive heat .. room temp 75-85°f or the cast can crack from a fast drying time

[@cylosgarage]

Lol that plaster mixing process was so relatable. "FACK! Not enough plaster! SHIT! To much water! NOO! Too much plaster!"

[@makerj101]

Hahaha yeah! That was a super pain. But luckily I was fast enough and saved the bacon.

[@peterlong45]

I loved the tree! It hurt to see you cut it! Ace job!

[@leonidasmiglioriniplaster]

2 parts of plaster and one part of water.😑

[@leonidasmiglioriniplaster]

@@makerj101 you using coal or charcoal for the fire.

[@engineeringentropy8965]

I think it looked way cooler as a family sculpture.

[@geoff7936]

I thought that's what it was and I agree. Nice family project, think I might do that with mine :)

[@necrondl]

"The bigger the glob. the better the job." Subed.

[@evangelineloves9]

This is the perfect video to show kids on exactly what not to do in almost every step haha. I mean that with the most love possible.

[@youremybiggestfan]

Thats beautiful, the fact that you made this together as a family. What a heirloom to keep

[@REDBULLHEADiphone]

What was the white felt you chucked on top of the crucible?

[@elle-iza]

Lol. All of those random items in the tree are fine, but when your brother decides to make a mushroom you're like "I don't know WHY?!"...? 😂

[@theskysthelimit9609]

Looked like you guy's all had a great time making it, good friends good company and good castings = a awsome day, and happy family members, very thoughtful thing to do, and memory's that will last a lifetime in your art work. Nice job 👍

[@Robonza]

Great work mate!, some 2 dollar hacksaw blades instead of those 50 cent ones make a huge difference. I think the voids were some coal trying to float back up the trunk.

[@lostgeneration9592]

For metal, especially aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, etc you really want the 'reinforced' Dremel wheels.

[@frederickaplan5339]

Wonderful video. I think my students would also enjoy and learn from it, so I hope you don't mind if I present it to my art appreciation class during the section on sculpture.

[@makerj101]

+Frederic Kaplan sure! Go for it! I put these videos out for people to learn from them.

[@tjlittle4317]

Talk about safety if you do show it. This is actually very dangerous to be doing without leathers & I cringed MANY times watching them handle the crucible. Also running around with a few hundred degree mold? Wowza, hun.

[@trondsi]

Very interesting! Any idea how people would do this ages ago without a vacuum chamber?

[@bigstackD]

Do you recall the composition of the bronze block you used mate ? Damn that crucible was full 😁I love a crucible filled with molten metal👍🏻

[@Rouverius]

Wow, just as a tree it looks like a piece of art. Nice going. Also, really excited to see you working and learning with people of similar passions.

[@mirandaqomoyi3452]

Really interesting. I've been wanting to learn about lost wax casting. Some advise though. When mixing plaster ALWAYS add the powder to the water not the other way round. It'll mix much more easily.

[@jingren6029]

I like how you're just enjoying while filming your work! keep it up dude!

[@zackcobb7959]

i can not belive the beard an the 12 year voice out of this dude

[@stephen_hawes]

Very cool dude!!! Awesome idea using the wax from those cheeses!!!

[@jadedlion1001]

Nicely done! I plan on trying my hand at casting aluminum at some point. Maybe ill have to record it and post a video

[@artissanity2504]

This was cool, man. Try adding perlite to the plaster mix; it may hold up a bit better and reduce the cracking. Otherwise, this was quite educational. Thank you.

[@jesus2621]

You can use perlite or silíca or quartz powder to mix with plaster

[@TommyCallaway]

Never thought about using cheese wax that way. Clever. However, I am surprised you didn't make one out of hot glue, considering how much you love that stuff. lol

[@makerj101]

Great idea!!! :D Why didn't I think of that???

[@johnharrison7056]

Great job! Can this process be used to cast aluminum? Why did you heat the mold prior to to pouring melted bronze into it? Thanks.

[@makerj101]

+John Harrison yep! You can use this process to cast aluminum. Toy must heat the mold to 1. Blurn all the wax out so the metal can take its place. 2. To drive all the water out of the plaster so that it doesn't just turn into a mini volcano from all the steam. 3. So the metal doesn't cool as fast as can fill all details.

[@johnharrison7056]

Thank you!

[@sikosis999]

stumbled across the channel, subscribed :) one thing youngster. . . from an older artisan - TAKE CARE OF YOUR HANDS! it may not be an issue of "masculinity" or lack there of as it was when I was full time crafting for you now a days. . . but, go get a manicure and take care of your hands! use lotion, tell whom ever is giving you the manicure you're a craftsman / artisan and work with your hands around hot / sharp / dangerous materials and they will tend your skin and keep your nails healthy and strong. They SHOULD if they're a good salon teach you lil tricks and tips on keeping your hands healthy, strong and capable of enduring the rigors they're put through. :) ok well two things, elevate your demonstrated safety. even in primitive / beginner or advanced methods and processes do not risk yourself for discovery when its a simple process to greatly improve your chances! even on a budget safety is possible. . .yeah it takes some extra time, sometimes some extra bucks but for the added measure of coming out the other side of the experience intact a much welcome addition worth enduring. Good luck, never stop learning and I'll be watching more!

[@jkp2319]

Starting with not wearing a ring while using power tools :(

[@allenheilig3737]

is that an engine where you're kiln is at if so let me know what kind it is

[@hugoeski]

you need to use borax acid. its a powder used to make melting process faster and also helps in cleaning impurities. also the time you take from taking your mold out of the fire to the time you pour in your melted metal should be minimized to the least to avoid loosing heat therefore allowing the melted metal to flow easier to all the desired mold. great job!

[@joshmartin8856]

Reinforced cutting wheels are great. So are hacksaw blades with less than 99 TPI. Nice job!

[@erineaston4797]

Very clever! Looking into learning the basics of wax casting. I love how fun and informative your video was and how you show each step of the process you use. Have you ever considered a career as a jeweler?

[@mollymurphyobrien]

Can u do this without vacuum? Or is there an alternative tool?

[@makerj101]

+Mary O'Brien you can use a fine brush to dislodge the bubbles from the wax model. It should work nearly as good.

[@Jack-dg9dl]

I noticed that your graphite crucible was starting to burn and cause pitting just like mine did. I used a coal furnace to heat my brass too and I've found out that coal creates an oxidizing environment and actually burns the carbon in the graphite. It's kinda a funny to think that basically your crucible is like putting a really expensive piece of coal in a coal fire.

[@mutualbeard]

Improv, Third degree burns always an option.......love it guys!

[@JimmiePorterAtStuartArts]

Qualified as art before it was cut apart I think. Nice job!

[@johnparrish9215]

Interesting the use of a vacuum. I do the opposite for the same reason. I have an Autoclave and put the wet mold in there to cure under high pressure, it shrinks the voids until they are very tiny. BTW: If you ever use Portland cement, sugar makes it harden slower and chlorine bleach makes it go faster.

[@chompachangas]

Holy shit, i got a whole fridge fulla them cheeses. Hrrm, is there an alternative to a vacuum chamber? Give the container with the plaster a few taps or something?

[@Geilisa91]

So i got a 3D printer to make a number of things, but i wanted to see if I could apply it to casting. I found there is Foam that you can print and soak in water to turn soft but the better option is wax filament. You could also use the most common filament PLA but its harder to melt out than wax. Which made me think of you. Since 3D printers are more affordable then ever I thought you might want to look into it. You could have amazing casts. Hope you read my message. =)

[@makerj101]

+Geilisa Almodovar I almost 3D printed the part that I'm going to be casting this weekend. But I ended up CNCing it out of machineable wax. I don't think I would use a 3D printer enough to make it worth getting one. i have access to a bunch of 3D printers at HackPGH(my local makerspace) and I have 3D printed one part. I also have access to 3D printers at Penn State Behrend. I've thought about buying some printable wax. Just haven't yet. You can do ABS too. You just have to burn it out at a higher temperature. A lot of people don't burn their plaster molds out at a high enough temperature. You should melt it out first, then back at 1200F.

[@Geilisa91]

Makerj101 I'm jealous I had to buy one. lol. I wasn't aware my college had printers till after I left. I wish I had done engineering. I'm going to try PLA first. I just got the printer 2 weeks ago. I'm excited to use it for casting tho. I've use lost foam and 2 part molds. never the lost wax plaster method.

[@makerj101]

Geilisa Almodovar well now you have one! Sounds like you should have become an engineer! what degree did you get?

[@Geilisa91]

Makerj101 Criminal Justice. lol.

[@makerj101]

+Geilisa Almodovar that's an interesting field! I've always thought it is really cool how they use so many technologies to figure out who committed the crime.

[@elvingarcia3770]

Hey why dont you change the internal combustion engine pistón to a cast aluminium pistón that would do a great job 👍🏻 and you put a piston riña for more compresion

[@rafiqkatana]

Holy crap. Surprised the hell out of me when I saw you had a beard. I would have put money on the fact that you were like 10 - 12 years old from your voice. Anyhow loved the true raw nature of the video. subscribed.

[@donaldlocker2197]

Tip - when mixing plaster (or any cementitious product), start with the correct amount of water in an empty mixing container, then add the dry ingredients. The amount of water is a better indicator of the final volume than the dry ingredients. Use about half the required final volume of water, then add dry until the consistency is what you want. It is much easier to mix.

[@altarush]

Can bronze look like gold in candlelight or surrounded by fire or campfire?

[@kb4iuj]

If your ever riding a bicycle touring bicycle across America. Do visit Chester, Illinois and have a look at that huge Popeye “The Sailorman”. Made out of bronze.

[@3dprint-tech787]

You guys are a very talented family!

[@Jayjays964]

That was fun to watch! Thank you.

[@raoulskinner9473]

Awesome! Best explanation I've seen, ever. Gloves and safety glasses though....

[@___xyz___]

8:00 oh man a classic old bunsen burner! I love your channel mate

[@gumbi1972]

I had never heard of a makerspace before, after googling it, it seems to be a great idea! It seems all of them near me in Houston are $40 a month, what do they charge where you are at?

[@makerj101]

Gumbi HackPGH charges $30 per month plus 3 hours of volunteer time. it just depends on the size of the space, number of members etc. I've been at spaces that only charge $10 per month and others that are $60.

[@ch300fnqi]

Epic video :D especially when you find out the mold won't fit into the kiln hahaha. Can't wait to see the other piece you cast at the same time, flywheel I guess? Where did you get all that bronze?

[@wendyhodgson1963]

Fun to watch, very impressive - Guess i wont be bronze casting my sculptures though

[@drkinetics384]

I like the older sterling engine videos you made.

[@makerj101]

I have ideas for building a future stirling engine. They just haven't materialized yet. Hopefully soon.

[@larrytellinghusen1733]

Makerj101 i

[@Skult1]

Lol nice seeing you back

[@makerj101]

Yaaa sorry for the lack of videos... I've been lazy lol

[@pheenix42]

Here's a hint: Black fiber reinforced cutoff wheels for a Dremel. Thin abrasive ones are for cutting wire, nails and thin stuff.

[@DragonworksProductions]

no fair. you got snow already.... here in missouri there isn't but it is supposed to snow tonight

[@makerj101]

+Sam's Electronics did you get any snow?

[@DragonworksProductions]

Makerj101 yep, but not a whole lot though. just enough to call of school.....

[@dieschmelzofenschmiede7762]

Did you use normal plaster?

[@makerj101]

Die Schmelzofenschmiede yep! plaster that I bought at home depot

[@dccracker7922]

Die Schmelzofenschmiede he said in the vid

[@jamesmccarthy4974]

Outstanding first go!

[@electro1622]

Now you're cooking with gas...I 've been waiting a long time for this..good to see you progress. I've been casting for 30 years so if you need help with anything (especially sprue and reservoir design)or choosing investment material let me know..only too happy to help.

[@jpmacalpine3332]

I'm interested to try a bronze casting. Can I use my own copper and tin?

[@manuellozano5567]

What's the purpose of using the vacuum chamber?

[@Anthonypython]

To get rid of as many air bubbles in it as possible before the mix set up with trapped air. a vacuum chamber is useful for this as well. But tapping it and hitting it on something solid works to if you do a good job.

[@dccracker7922]

Manuel Lozano get the air bubbles out of the plaster

[@James-lj7rm]

suggestion, check out your local dental supply house and see if you can get a high heat casting investment (water mix) that is used for casting partial metal framework dentures. You will have more working time and get smoother castings.

[@patcorrigan3624]

When you explain something and do it I understand, great teacher.

[@alinarubio9453]

such a cool process thanks for sharing

[@AlbySilly]

I'd love to see you cast some kind of tool and using it here and there in videos

[@stevenhenao1443]

What is the name of this sculpture?

[@makerj101]

+Steven Henao Explained in vid. Thxs.

[@forest_dweller_2]

awesome ring! can't wait to see the other video!

[@Radoslaw1986xx]

I also thought it would be like one sculpture.. Now I'm sad you destroyed it..

[@karlh5645]

You can probably anneal the bronze by heating to dull red and quenching in water before sawing.

[@NativeEarthlingAI]

FYI: The vacuum is making the water boil and evaporate. A vacuum lowers the boiling temp of any liquid

[@minskmade]

love this...i have a space behind hackpgh...on tustin....im going to make a small foundry

[@lachie2002]

Could u please post the live stream on ur KZbin channel I'm from Australia and the time zone change stuffs up my schedule

[@makerj101]

+lachie2002 YES! It will be recorded and posted on my channel!

[@pauls5745]

-1 this has to be the most unsafe casting demo I've ever seen. jeepers it's a wonder someone wasn't hurt or a fire started

[@awjoyce1]

to name a few: -Firing mold in makeshift furnace inside your garage (note crumbling firebrick) -"where did I put my gloves... oh well" -Picking up the mold with a piece of kaowool -Setting a hot crucible full of metal on grass -Standing right by the pour

[@Anthonypython]

Adam Joyce The first three isn't to bad, the fifth I agree with. # three though I would have wrapped a oven mitten with Kaowool probably instead of using my hands that stuff can be itchy on the skin.

[@Anthonypython]

Makerj101Don't worry about it just be more careful with when someone else is pouring, and try to keep some gloves near by and wrap it with some kaowool :D. Love your content.

[@MekazaBitrusty]

Some people are uber anal with safety. Doing things at home using more common sense than excessive safety makes things fun. I didn't see anything wrong with picking up the hot mould with mineral wool. I wouldn't go sniffing it. 😆 Also don't see what was wrong with burning the wax out with the Bunsen burner in the garage. Great video!

[@sblack48]

It's your choice if you want to fly by the seat of your pants and take some risk. It is far from a smooth operation, but it was fun to watch.

[@kferg4590]

Holy beard, Batman!

[@GTJay]

@makerj101 Not 100% about this but I had thought kaowool needed to be handled with facemask? Ya may wanna take a looksy. Looked like fun though!

[@icy_demons_]

Next project: improved steam engine. I would love to see that

[@makerj101]

Yeah I should do that. Maybe cast one.

[@salttatt]

Makerj101 *YES MORE STEAM ENGINE VIDEOS. THATS THE REASON I SUBBED TO YOU FOR A LONG TIME AGO*

[@EMMD56]

Makerj101 hey are you going to finish the one cylinder gas engine

[@icy_demons_]

Makerj101 love your videos!!

[@makerj101]

+Eat My Moto Dust it is finished. I just need to finish the rest of the video series. You're in luck tho. On Friday I am doing a live stream of the engine. We'll be doing a q&a then a live run of it. Then tear it down and answer more questions. I'm looking forward to it!

[@lundgrenbronzestudios]

You made the most of it!

[@DeliciousDeBlair]

Those Dremel epoxied abrasive cut-off wheels totally suck. I ended up getting a diamond coated steel wheel and solved my problems.

[@paulmccarthy6081]

Lovely to watch, but did like it more as a whole sculpture, it was more than the sum of its parts. To avoid air voids make a couple of risers up to the sprue cup, the air will then escape.

[@m3sca1]

get some of those diamond wheels for your dremel mate.

[@MND22]

Love your vids, keep up the great work!

[@JimTaylor42]

If you go down to the woods today you're in for a big surprise...

[@REDBULLHEADiphone]

7:26 was worth waiting for.

[@mrspicklepaw]

The wax came from cheese bought from Our Lady of the Angels monastery in Crozet Virginia. Wonderful cheese, Gouda.

[@StephenMortimer]

Let's PETITION MrsMom at "+Mr. and Mrs." to appear and take a bow !!

[@makerj101]

Hahaha

[@StephenMortimer]

Makerj101 Don't laff.. remember behind every great man is a greater WOMAN (get used to it)

[@makerj101]

True that!

[@mrspicklepaw]

I have a fan! *blush*

[@StephenMortimer]

Mr. and Mrs. YUP !! so when ya "got it" ya FLAUNT IT !!

[@edwardmanukyan454]

Great job

[@maxgirouxpro]

Your forge would be more efficient if you established a lid above the coals but in a way that releves pressure.

[@kyststudio-epicartadventure]

The flashing on the little figure’s face could also be from heating your plaster so quickly. Investment is stronger that plaster. Read Oppi Untracht’s big book, The Encyclopedia of Jewelry Techniques. Great reference! Good job. It went better than my first bronze casting. I found silver easier. Try cuttlebone casting.

[@makerj101]

Thank you for the tips! I definitely heated the plaster mold too quickly. I will try investment next time. Also good idea with using wax on the saw blade. I often do that on handsaws but never thought to try on a hack saw.

[@JosephdiCaro]

I was dying when you kept breaking cutoff discs lol i have that

[@keeper0523]

Good job fellas

[@girrrrrrr2]

Here is the money shot *proceeds to not show half the money shot*

[@makerj101]

+girrrrrrr2 pretty much hahaha

[@andymacdonald30]

wow disorganized chaos that all turned out right ..lol nice one

[@MakerOnTheMove]

Haha, I've been saving up cheese wax for exactly this purpose!

[@kartab5397]

Great video.... Thanks for sharing brother

[@pinkponyofprey1965]

6:51 that's what she said ...

[@makerj101]

PinkPonyOfPrey LOL

[@Thisisnottheone1]

Can’t believed I just lol’d at that 😂😂

[@lindsaywang4413]

all the trouble you went through... inspiring

[@fpsfein]

Your brother put a mushroom because he likes to shroom.

[@mukhumor]

Yeah we all got a vacuum chamber in the shed mate.

[@elizabethmoroni1342]

A+ for resourcefulness

[@theTORTUGAZUL]

I definitely won't be trying this at home.

[@itailu]

you do not eye-ball plaster mixing you use 100 to 38, so lets say you use 250ml of water you add 658 grams of plaster and you always add plaster to water while mixing

[@georgi6722]

the big hole forms because that's the hottest part of the casting

[@maximoalfonso7285]

quite amazing for a homemade cast. tell you as professional. are u interested in cast work? i can recommend u.

[@makerj101]

+Maximo Alfonso sure, is cast something for you or someone. I'm actually working on a casting project for someone right now

[@AjLloyd-uy2tr]

Nice fill