How a bronze is made

LAIDMAN DOGS

Laidman dog bronzes are produced in limited editions.

The Process

1. An original is created in ceramic.
2. A mold is made.
3. Waxes are taken from the mold for each individual bronze to be cast.
4. The wax is 'chased', i.e. cleaned.
5. Sprues (wax pipes) are attached to the wax model.
6. The fully 'sprued' wax model is hung up (as on a clothes line).
7. A (one use) shell mold is made by spraying layer upon layer of refractory (heat resistent) material over each wax model. Since each layer has to dry before the next is applied, the process takes about a week.
8. The shell molds are moved to kilns (ovens) where the wax is then burned out.
9. The shell molds are moved to the bronze casting area and either placed in racks or buried in sand.
10. Molten bronze is poured into the shell molds.
11. When cool, the shell mold is broken away from the rough bronze casting.
12. The bronze 'sprues' - the pipes which allow the bronze to flow freely through the mold - are then cut off from the body of the bronze sculpture.
13. The scars from where the sprues were attached and any casting seams are 'chased' (cleaned) with grinders and sanders.
14. Pieces which had to be cast separately, e.g. tongues and lower jaws, are welded to the main body of the bronze.
15. Texture, pitting or any other surface defect are then restored with the use of metal working tools.
16. The bronze is placed inside a special sealed view box with arm hole access where it is sandblasted in preparation for the patina (surface painting) application.
17. In the patina room, the bronze is placed on refractory bricks on a chest high metal turntable.
18. The bronze is heated with a propane torch and the metal oxides which produce the different colors are applied.
19. After the bronze has cooled somewhat, the bronze is waxed and buffed.

For more detailed and professional explanations on how bronzes are cast, contact:

American Fine Arts Foundry
2520 Ontario St.
Burbank, CA 91505
telephone: 1 818 848 7593
(Burbank, CA)

Arizona Bronze Foundry
(Tempe, AZ)

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	LAIDMAN DOGS

Laidman dog bronzes are produced in limited editions. The Process 1. An original is created in ceramic. 2. A mold is made. 3. Waxes are taken from the mold for each individual bronze to be cast. 4. The wax is 'chased', i.e. cleaned. 5. Sprues (wax pipes) are attached to the wax model. 6. The fully 'sprued' wax model is hung up (as on a clothes line). 7. A (one use) shell mold is made by spraying layer upon layer of refractory (heat resistent) material over each wax model. Since each layer has to dry before the next is applied, the process takes about a week. 8. The shell molds are moved to kilns (ovens) where the wax is then burned out. 9. The shell molds are moved to the bronze casting area and either placed in racks or buried in sand. 10. Molten bronze is poured into the shell molds. 11. When cool, the shell mold is broken away from the rough bronze casting. 12. The bronze 'sprues' - the pipes which allow the bronze to flow freely through the mold - are then cut off from the body of the bronze sculpture. 13. The scars from where the sprues were attached and any casting seams are 'chased' (cleaned) with grinders and sanders. 14. Pieces which had to be cast separately, e.g. tongues and lower jaws, are welded to the main body of the bronze. 15. Texture, pitting or any other surface defect are then restored with the use of metal working tools. 16. The bronze is placed inside a special sealed view box with arm hole access where it is sandblasted in preparation for the patina (surface painting) application. 17. In the patina room, the bronze is placed on refractory bricks on a chest high metal turntable. 18. The bronze is heated with a propane torch and the metal oxides which produce the different colors are applied. 19. After the bronze has cooled somewhat, the bronze is waxed and buffed. For more detailed and professional explanations on how bronzes are cast, contact:
American Fine Arts Foundry 2520 Ontario St. Burbank, CA 91505 telephone: 1 818 848 7593 (Burbank, CA)		Arizona Bronze Foundry (Tempe, AZ)
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