Metal casting with David Reid
This is a compact one week introduction to metal casting taking place in C.Sundts gt. The course is run by David Reid and Kristian Skjold is in charge of arranging. Present through the week will also be Matthew Galpin who besides being an artist also is a master blacksmith.
David Reid
Has set up, run, and passed on to partners three commercial art foundries over the past 20 years
Has worked with many art schools to help them convert to ceramic shell
Has run hundreds of courses all over the world
Has a wide background in all facets of the metal casting industry, from back-yard to aero-space.
Check out: http://home.c2i.net/metaphor/
LOST WAX BRONZE CASTING FOR SCULPTURE
using simplified Ceramic Shell
This covers all aspects of his method, from wax-working, through ceramic moulding, molten metal preparation and pouring, to finishing and patina of the sculpture. No previous experience in bronze is required.
Instruction is such that, if wished, it would be possible for one to set up one's own foundry for the casting of personal work, using simple appropriate technologies. However, this is not the only thing to be gained from participation. Many people have used the courses simply to understand the process, gaining experience in manipulating wax as a medium and in the finishing of bronze for presentation, leaving the founding to others. Either way, the courses have led many people towards working and exhibiting in bronze.
The courses can be held virtually anywhere, the programme being
Outline of topics covered, day 1 - Wax working
Waxes
description -what is a wax? -sources -types -microcrystallines -paraffins,petroleum jelly -beeswax -vegetable waxes -rosins -modelling wax -slushing wax -jewellery and dental
-slab breaking -basic melting , kettles, pots -mixtures, hardening and softening -fire hazards, safety -water in wax -colouring
Modelling
strength for ceramic shell -welding -flames, tools, fingers
Casting of wax
temperatures for different types of mould -pour rate, -venting -slushing -idiosyncrasies of moulds -sprue making, plaster tooling
Fettling
hole filling, cracks -joint line elimination
Throughout the day, using newly learned skills, students are encouraged to make a number of pieces in wax, one of which they will take through to bronze.
Outline of topics covered, day 2 - Spruing and Ceramic Shell
SPRUING
metallurgical considerations -welding technique -need for strength -gates, sprues, runners, vents, drains -hot spots, filleting -cracks and gaps
CERAMIC SHELL
Preparation of waxes for dipping
-check for strength -prewash -dry thoroughly
Brief description of shell build-up
-slurry coat, stucco, dry, repeat
Materials for shell and reasons for their use
colloidal silica - molochites
Theory of shell binding system 
coating of particles -removal of water -refractory gluing -functions of stuccos
Settling and remixing -two bucket method
storage, evaporation prevention -constant mixers
CORING for hollow castings 
pins, stainless steel -ceramic shell cores -plaster/grog mixes -ethyl silicate -filling, light vibration -core vents
During this day, pieces for casting are sprued and the first two ceramic coats applied
Outline of topics covered, day 3 - Practical mould building
First coat
de air slurry -prewash -check viscosity and flow onto wax sample -dipping or pouring, plastic sheet for larger pieces -use of brush, blowing -draining -stucco -importance of drying
Second coat 
-thinner slurry -stucco -importance of moving air -dry first two coats
Third and subsequent coats
-slurry viscosity same as second coat -larger stucco -4 to 5 coats total -final overnight drying
Back dipping 
-after dewax -use of fibreglas
The day is spent applying further shell coats and over-viewing the theory. Moulds used to produce multiple waxes are also demonstrated.
Outline of topics covered, day 4 - Furnaces, de-waxing, pouring
Basic furnace building
bricks and mud principles -ceramic fibre, hardeners and glues -furnace principles -importance of tuning
De-waxing
theory -temperatures -relation to spruing, drains -smoke problems -ceramic bonds
Preheating 
-heat soaking to strengthen ceramic bond -heat soaking of cores to remove volatiles -temperature control if strapped with fibreglas
Metal melting 
ox/deox theory -setting and care of crucibles -setting of furnace by flame -warming of tools and metal -general safety
Pouring 
safety equipment -suitable clothing and footwear -superheat -deslag, deox -timing with moulds -handling hot moulds -pouring rate, skimming -sand support
Knockout
-care necessary -dust problems
By the end of the day - Moulds are de-waxed and strenghened. Metal melted and poured. Ceramic removed to reveal castings.
Outline of topics covered, day 5 - Fettling, chasing, and patina
Fettling
hand tools vs. power tools - rope vise-etc
Chasing 
use of files, chisels, burrs etc -working down the scale -viewing the piece as a whole
Patina
fire preparation -basic chemicals -method more important than recipes -spraying, painting, dipping, boiling -rubbing back -time spent well rewarded -waxing
Workform:
Workshop. Participants are expected to be present all hours of the actual running of the workshop. There is a lot going on in a short space of time.
Prequalifications:
The course starts 29/11/2010 / Week 48, and ends 03/12/2010 / Week 48
Location: C. Sundts gt.
Provider: Akademiet
Target group: Akademiet
MA Kunst
Target year of study: Alle årstrinn
Capacity: 10
Academic staff: