Sand Casting Workshop

We had an amazing time in Ōtautahi Christchurch over the last 2 Sundays experimenting in Sand Casting! This dagger was made by Brigitt, she hand carved the wax model and carefully pressed it into the casting sand. She will then remove the model, create pouring holes and pour molten metal into the mould.

Here is is cast in a mix of 50/50 silver and copper. A very successful pour! You can see the lines made in the sand to allow air to escape and draw the liquid metal out to the edges.

We love sand casting although it is a bit hit and miss, sometimes pours just don't work out which can be really disappointing when you've gone though all the work of making the mould. It's a technique that really lends itself to chunky, heavily textured pieces like these rings Bill made.

Once the piece is cast you want to pickle all the flux off it so you can cut away sprues with a piercing saw then file any spiky bits off. Cast pieces can then be worked like plate, you can solder on jump rings or solder pieces together, drill holes, set stones, whatever you like.

We have a Sand Casting workshop coming up in Wellington on the 19th of September (the one on the 8th of August is sold out so book in quickly if you're keen) and we will schedule another in Christchurch in the summer.