Continuing my series on lost wax casting, this next post describes what happens after I get the piece back from the casters.
Once you get the piece back from the casters, part of the sprue will still be left on, this needs to be sawn off.
I then use a coarse silicone polisher in my flex shaft, this removes any excess metal and smoothed any lines that still may be visible from the filing that were made while creating the wax pieces.
Once that's done (it takes a little while), I put the piece in my tumbler and 2-3 hours later, it's ready to come out and dry. The tumbler has mixed shaped stainless steel shot in it, distilled water and regular dish washing liquid.
At this point, you can either leave the piece shiny, or patina it if you want anything blackened (such as the letters on these cufflinks), or, use an abrasive fiber wheel in your flex shaft to give a brushed finish.
Here's a video I put together while I was finishing the ring.
The finished piece!
If you have any questions or comments, please add them below! 👇🏻
Thanks for reading and see you again soon!
Part One: Lost wax casting - creating the piece
Part Two: Lost wax casting - at the casters
