[Jewelry making - Article 00107] - Re: [Orchid] Melting and reusing jeweler's wax

[Jeff Demand]

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Kara,

    I produce a lot of "scrap" virgin wax and being frugal re-melt it. A
    double boiler set up won't work, can't get above 212 F with water
    and you need more . 

    A stove with direct heat should work but what I use is either a wax
    injector I built just for carving wax or an old pop can over an
    alcohol flame. (Safety bees need not reply, I know the risks and
    dangers, but a double boiler with 250 F oil is not that safe either) 

    Mold release usually not required. Pour at the lowest possible
    temperature, as close as possible to the wax freezing in the pot.
    Shrinkage will be reduced, pour too hot into an open mold and the
    centre will really suck in or the block will crack in half, or both
    :-( With the injector and a plexiglas mold I keep the pressure on
    until the wax solidifies. (patience or a combination of a rope and
    brick weight) 

    Re-melted wax is different, at least the colour is darker. Other
    properties might change slightly too, I haven't really noticed.
    Probably best to 'age' it a day or two, I remember hearing that
    melting changes would tend to heal with time (?? Kate Wolf ??) and it
    is better that a too hot pour split before you carve it. 

    It IS possible with practice and persistence, I do it a lot but only
    for in house work and tests. For larger blocks I would investigate
    places like or for 'machinable wax' 

Jeff
Demand Designs
Analog/Digital Modelling & Goldsmithing
http://www.gmavt.net/~jdemand
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