[Jewelry making - Article 00190] - Re: [Orchid] Water glass

[Katherine Palochak]

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    I've used a 50/50 mix of sodium silicate and water to coat my tufa,
    investment and cuttlebone molds for many years. I've never added
    borax to the mix, but I can see how it might make the surface
    smoother and perhaps provide an additional element of protection from
    hot metal. However, from my experience, several thin coats of the
    sodium silicate/water mix keeps the molds from deteriorating so you
    can use them repeatedly. Larger molds tend to deteriorate more than
    smaller ones, as the mass of molten metal holds its heat longer. In
    the U.S. Southwest, these molds are passed down or traded. 

    Generally, your original casting is traditionally done in bronze.
    This casting is finished and used for sandcasting, or for impressing
    into another tufa, investment or cuttlebone mold. The original is
    always kept as the master. Many of the prefabricated 'sandcast'
    models you see advertised are from pieces bought in the '70's from
    master carvers.  

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