[Jewelry making - Article 00358] - [Orchid] Delft Clay Goes Crumbly etc.

[Cliff Russell]

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    I have been casting with Delft clay and have started running into
    problems. The compacted strength of the clay is not what it used to
    be and it is getting crumbly and I am having problems seperating
    moulds (molds in the US). I have been using talc as a seperator on
    all exposed areas. 

    Now, I suspect it may be: 

    a) A problem with trapped moisture in the clay as I quench the mould
    in a bucket 

    b) general contamination - while taking care to remove the burnt
    clay, there is always something, plus the talc gets in there too. 

    c) General change over time with repeated casting. 

    d) It has become too dry as it uses something like an oil as it's
    binding agent. 

    What I want is to rejuvinate it as on the whole, it seems fine and
    it's quite expensive and I'd like to get as much out of it as I can.
    I was wondering if anyone had any ideas? 

    How about baking it in the oven to dry out the moisture? If it's
    crumbling perhaps adding some olive oil might make it sticky again? 

    Finally, has anyone tried lost wax casting with Delft clay? i.e.
    make a wax model, melt it out in the kitchen oven? then refilling.
    That way I could do items with undercuts. I haven't tried it as I
    thought it might be dangerous - especially if the wax was absorbed by
    the clay rather than burning out and then exploded when silver was
    poured in. 

Regards . . .
Cliff Russell.

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