Good call. Why I didnt think of that one is beyond me. Nice Avatar Mike. Getting any work done yet? I've been posting my wax work here>>>>> http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?forums/investment-casting-ceramic-shell-method.25/ Fits the bill the best for now. The alternative would be if the wax is finally invested in a solid block. (more like what jewelers do or old school artisans did a few hundred years ago) Today, most bronze foundrys use ceramic shell. I'm building a rather long winded 3 part video piece on this process from start to finish on Toboho Motts dogs and light switch cover. Preview video in the ceramic shell method section. Welcome btw, glad to see you made it.
There are still quite a few of the block mould art foundries around. It is a real joy to watch these old masters (i visited a couple in Italy) constructing the most amazing moulds with brick dust and plaster. I think if ceramic shell has done anything for the home-gamer it is to make bronze casting more accessible. Ceramic shell is a lot easier to get to grips with and a fair bit more forgiving.
I always thought bronze casting at home was pretty much not going to happen for me because of the slurry mixers churning 24/7.... Then 3 years ago, I found the shellspen method. While they are a bunch of thieves for gouging folks on the slurry, I did learn there were alternatives to conventional investing. Then I found Ransom and Randolph. Suspendaslurry to the rescue! It's affordable, pretty easy to get and no constant mixing. What's not to love about that setup? Block molds are impressive and I applaud the old farts that still use them, but just not for a one man show without heavy lifting equipment. I'd like to try it ONCE and probably should be collecting my old shell to break up and add to plaster someday. I think that would work?
