Used Equipment

Bronze Metal and Bronze Casting Described

Bronze Casting has been practiced for centuries. Many civilizations have used this alloy for weapons, sculptures, and general pieces of hardware. The popular way to cast bronze is the Lost Wax Casting process which was first used sometime in the 3000 BC near ancient Sumeria. The Lost Wax process is still used to this day and its modern equivalent Investment Casting is very popular with jewelry makers.

Bronze is the preferred alloy for metal working artists as it’s relatively easy to work with and resistant to corrosion. The properties of bronze tend to be stronger than most other alloys, except of course for steel, and lends itself easily to the molding and casting process. Many small foundries like the kind that can be found in a backyard or workshop find that bronze is a great material to work with and with a melting point of 1,700 Fahrenheit or about 925 Celsius many homemade furnaces are able to melt down the bronze quickly and efficiently.

Many modern day artists create their own furnaces with the metal casting in mind. These metal casters employ the Lost Wax Casting method which proves to be the best when dealing with the alloy. The Lost Wax Casting is making an original of the sculpture from wax and then creating a mold using this original. Often times the original is lost during the mold making process so keep that in mind if you want to hang on to the original for whatever reason. Molten wax is poured into the mold which is chased or smoothed of imperfections. During this point, any other pieces are attached and small wax tubes are placed into the piece. These tubes will be how the molten bronze is going to travel into the piece replacing wax with the alloy. When this is complete the artist will create a ceramic shell around the wax model. This shell will help form the molten bronze which will melt the wax. When the molten bronze is poured the bronze takes place of the wax. Afterwards, the artist will crack the shell and reveal the bronze piece. This method allows the transfer of very exact detail from the wax to the bronze.

Patina is added to the figure at the artist’s discretion. The Patina is a chemical that when applied to bronze creates colors and makes the bronze take an aged look. The Patrina compounds used depends on the type of color desired. Ferric Nitrate will make the bronze take on a red or brown color while Sulphurated Potash will make black and Cupric Nitrate will create blue and green. Modern day artists choose to go with a very high polished bronze instead of using these compounds. This step depends solely on the artist’s taste and the look they are going for.

Bronze casting will remain a popular medium until another alloy is developed that exhibits properties that are easier to manage and are more resistant to corrosion. Casting the alloy is easily done so metal casters that want to experiment are encouraged to do so. Making anything from small figurines, large sculptures, and even cabinet handles can be accomplished with the use of bronze. The only limitations in bronze casting are with the caster himself.

About the Author

Go to Metal Casting Zone to get your free ebook on Metal Casting at http://www.metalcastingzone.com. Metal Casting Zone also has a Metal Casting Forum, Metal Casting Information, and a Metal Casting Blog that can all be found at http://www.metalcastingzone.com. Go to http://www.metalcastingzone.com to see the latest information on Metal Casting that has been added.

Collectibles Chinese aged tribal tool snake shape bronze lock/key $0.99

Vintage Aged Bronze Tone Metal Bird Claw Charms $0.99

Vintage Aged Bronze Toned Metal 3 Hole Findings Charms $0.99

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Knob Pull Solid $0.99

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Furniture Pull Hardware $0.99

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Furniture Pull Hardware $0.99

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Furniture Pull Hardware $0.99

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Furniture Pull Hardware $0.99

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Furniture Pull Hardware $0.99

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Furniture Pull Hardware $0.99

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Furniture Pull Hardware $1.19

Amerock BP53471-ORB 1 1/4″ Aged Bronze Scroll Knob $1.19

Vintage Aged Bronze Toned Metal Spiral Findings Charms $1.25

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Knob 80501 $1.29

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Knobs & Pulls 3910 $1.29

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Classic Cabinet Hardware Knobs 3910 $1.29

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Newport Cabinet Hardware Knobs 80137 $1.29

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Classic Pulls 6184 $1.39

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Ball Tip Pulls 260 $1.39

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Fleur De Lis Pulls 133 $1.39

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Egg Knob 80508 $1.49

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Knobs & Pulls 3910 $1.49

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Knobs 88632 $1.49

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Beaded Cabinet Hardware Knobs 80102 $1.49

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Lions Paw Pulls 3208 $1.49

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Knobs & Pulls 3910 $1.59

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Beaded 3-3/4″ Pulls 81366 $1.59

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Knob 80507 $1.69

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Traditional Cabinet Hardware Knobs 80980 $1.69

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Knobs & Pulls 3910 $1.69

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Egg Cabinet Hardware Knobs 8443 $1.69

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Shell Bin Pulls 80773 $1.69

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Ring Cabinet Hardware Knobs 81295 $1.69

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Ball 3-3/4″ Pulls 80054 $1.69

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Cambridge Pulls 3232 $1.69

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Bow Tie Pulls 3131 $1.69

NEW COLOR Wool Felt fabric Piece 12″ X 18″ Aged Bronze $1.75

Amerock BP1581-ORB 1 1/4″ Aged Bronze Leaf Cabinet Knob $1.80

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Square Cabinet Hardware Knobs 81091 $1.89

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Arched 5″ Pulls 80733 $1.89

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Pulls 80183 $1.89

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Arched Pulls 86954 $1.89

Gatehouse 1-1/8″ Aged Bronze Cabinet Round Knob $1.97

allen + roth Aged Bronze Therrell Cabinet hardware (Pull and/or Knobs) $1.97

Metalic Tile Aged Bronze Field Tile or Deco 4″ x 4″ Resin Beautiful! $1.98

Distressed Aged Bronze Cabinet Knob K-2009-DORB $1.98

Distressed Aged Bronze Cabinet Knob K-2009-DORB $1.98

NEW AGED BRONZE Knob Model # 4003-0 $1.99

NEW AGED BRONZE Handels/Pulls Brass 96 MM Model #Z1284-96-EORB $1.99

Schlage Dummy Lever Left Hand Doors Only Callington Design Aged Bronze Finish $1.99

Bullseye Knob Aged Bronze Distressed K-2085-DORB $1.99

Round Knob 1-1/4″ Aged Bronze Distressed K-2009-DORB $1.99

Gatehouse 1/4″ Aged Bronze Octagon Knob #0300916 SALE!!!! $1.99

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Design Cabinet Hardware Knobs 81093 $1.99

Amerock BP53029-ORB Aged Bronze Mulholland Rec Cabinet Drawer Knob $2.03

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Shaker Bin Pulls 8233 $2.19

Vintage Round Head Handle – Aged Bronze $2.25

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Bin Pull 80606 $2.29

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Bin Pulls 953 $2.29

Schlage F170 FLA Flair Lever Single DUMMY – Aged Bronze $2.40

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze 5-3/4″ Cabinet Hardware European Bar Pulls 3″ CTC $2.49

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware European Bar Pulls $2.49

Oxidized Brass Stamping Silk Fan Aged Filigree Wrap Charms Finding be35x PICK $2.59

allen + roth Aged Bronze Therrell Cabinet hardware (Pull and/or Knobs) $2.69

Cabinet Knob Drawer Pull Hardware WAVE BALL AGED BRONZE $2.69

Amerock BP53030-ORB 3″ Aged Bronze Mulholland Cabinet Pull Knob $2.79

Distressed Aged Bronze Cabinet Bin Pull P-2769-DORB $2.89

Distressed Aged Bronze Cabinet Bin Pull P-2769-DORB $2.89

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Bar Pull 6-3/4″ $2.89

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze 6-3/4″ Cabinet Hardware European Bar Pulls 4″ CTC $2.89

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware European Bar Pulls $2.89

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Design Cabinet Hardware Pulls 81094 $2.89

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Pulls 81092 $2.89

New allen + roth 3″ Aged Bronze Davis Cabinet Pull $2.96

Cabinet Bin Pull Distressed Aged Bronze P-2769-DORB $2.99

Brainerd betsyfieldsdesign Aged Bronze PBF801Y-VBR-CP 3-Inch Beaded Pull $2.99

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze 9-3/4″ Cabinet Hardware European Bar Pulls 7″ CTC $3.00

Amerock Drp Aged Bronze 1.25″ Rope Knob BP1585-ORB $3.00

Hickory P3010-OBH 3″ Aged Bronze Studio Cabinet Pull $3.00

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Bar Pull 7-3/4″ $3.10

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze 7-3/4″ Cabinet Hardware European Bar Pulls 5″ CTC $3.10

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware European Bar Pulls $3.10

allen + roth Aged Bronze Libby 3″ Cabinet Pull $3.12

Concord Fans Ceiling Fan Bowl Fixture Cap and Finial Aged Pecan FC-1000-AP $3.14

allen + roth Aged Bronze Gabriel Cabinet Knob $3.19

allen + roth Aged Bronze Therrell Cabinet Knob $3.23

allen + roth 1.25″ Aged Bronze Davis Cabinet Knob $3.23

allen + roth 1.25″ Aged Bronze Libby Cabinet Knob $3.23

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware Bar Pull 8-3/4″ $3.35

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze 8-3/4″ Cabinet Hardware European Bar Pulls 6″ CTC $3.35

Aged Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware European Bar Pulls $3.35

New Amerock Aged Bronze Fruit Cabinet Knob $3.40

New Amerock 3″ Aged Bronze Cabinet Pull $3.40

Craftmade Cathedral Ceiling Fan Adapter Aged Bronze ASAD-AG $3.42

allen + roth Aged Bronze Marisa Cabinet Pull $3.64

1pc New Rock & Roll antique bronzed aged Punk alloy finger rings Size 7 R0226 $3.69

Aged Bronze Tone Amethyst Purple Crystal Body American Patroitic Eagle Key Chain $3.99

Atlas Homewares Odeon Collection Aged Bronze 4″ Pull 242-O MSRP $8.99 $3.99

Schlage Danbury Dummy Door Knob / Aged Bronze $4.00

4″ Cabinet Hardware Cabinet Pull in Pewter & Bronze $4.00