Choosing the Right Wax

Discussion in 'Lost wax casting' started by Forrest99, Apr 25, 2023.

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  1. Forrest99

    Forrest99 Copper

    I am new to the forum but have been making jewelry for many years. I am just getting back to lost wax after working mainly with sheet and wire silver.

    I began lost wax in high school - I had an amazing teacher - and I remember the wax that we used was red but it was also very controllable. The only wax I have been able to find is Ferris #6, blue sprue wax, both of which tend to just run (almost no control) or the hard blue carving kind. I want to be able to shape and gradually build up the object. I have seen a little information about the brown microcrystalline wax, but my memory has red.

    I would appreciate some good insights on the topic with suggestions.
     
  2. HT1

    HT1 Gold Banner Member

  3. Al2O3

    Al2O3 Administrator Staff Member Banner Member

  4. Forrest99

    Forrest99 Copper

    Thank you both for the responses. Looks like I need to do some additional reading.
     
    bill likes this.
  5. rocco

    rocco Silver

    There are a few people here working with wax, notable among them are Zapins and Matrid, it might be worth your while to look up some of their old posts.
     
  6. Forrest99

    Forrest99 Copper

    To close the loop on this discussion. I have reviewed all the references noted above and unfortunately they have not shed any additional light on the subject. Product descriptions in general lack the real world aspect that I need. I am going to try some of the brown microcrystalline wax and see. This is one of those cases where I will know it when I get a chance to work with it.

    Thank you all for your input. The efforts are appreciated.
     
  7. mytwhyt

    mytwhyt Silver

  8. HT1

    HT1 Gold Banner Member

  9. mytwhyt

    mytwhyt Silver

    Definitely the place to go for wax...
     
  10. Forrest99

    Forrest99 Copper

    I agree that there are many forms of wax, but I am not looking to do injection. In fact the more I go, the less I am able to find the kind of additive lost wax examples that I learned in high school in the 1970s.
     
  11. HT1

    HT1 Gold Banner Member

    OMG you Probably cannot find what you used 50 years ago...
    Red it might have been sealing wax, the school would have has a budget . sealing wax is bees wax with a colorant
    if you are interested in trying brown microcrystalline wax I will send you a sample of Victory brown DM Me, but as mentioned Dm Zapins he is the resident expert on wax, I believe Years ago I sent him a sample , if you like Victory Brown Hit me up Ill sell you mine at half price, im never going to use it in the quantity i bought


    V/r HT1
     
  12. bill

    bill Silver

    Found this on amazon.


    Mold-A-Wax Red Soft Ferris No 6 Wax Working Lost Wax Casting

    MOLD-A-WAX RED
    FERRIS # 6 SOFT by ferris

    No. 6 Red Mold-A-Wax (Soft) - This versatile wax is soft uniquely malleable wax to produce free-form jewelry and sculptures using the lost wax process.
    Red wax is soft at room temperature of 70°F and can be made more pliable by immersing in warm water.
    May be used as adhesive for other waxes.
    It is also preferred for repairing wax patterns, joining File-A-Wax sections, as a stone-setter’s “pick-up” wax, or as an engraver’s transfer wax.
    Especially good for mini sculptures, leaves, figures, etc. Can be rolled, twisted or squeezed by hand.

     
  13. Forrest99

    Forrest99 Copper

    Happy ending. I bought 12 oz of the brown Microcrystalline wax on Amazon https://a.co/d/4rkrz5k and it has the same consistency as the wax I recall from my early days. It has more control, it retains its shape better and works better than the Ferris waxes I've tried.

    Thanks for all the friendly input. I really appreciate it.
     
    HT1 likes this.
  14. Good to hear you found what you need. Just saw this thread and was of interest as I have some Microcrystalline wax I will be trying at some point.
     

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