FOUNDRY CLASSES

Foundry Fundamentals
Entry-level. 

>> Sign Up

Begin your exploration of foundry work with this step-by-step, hands-on overview of metal casting. This class introduces foundry processes, including wax work, ceramic shell, sand moldmaking, casting and finishing. You will use the lost-wax casting method (which begins with sculpting in wax) and the sand casting method (which uses a mold made from sand). You will help pour molten metal and complete several cast-metal pieces, which can be sculptures or utilitarian objects.

Bronze Casting: Ceramic Shell Process
Entry-level

>> Sign Up

Ceramic shell is a mold material used in the lost wax casting method. Your wax sculpture is clad in a ceramic shell, burned out, and replaced with molten metal. You will learn basic wax-working techniques, as well as how to create ceramic shell molds. Finally, you'll cast your piece in bronze or aluminum. The class also covers basic metal finishing.

Continuing Techniques in Foundry: Cast, Clip & Pour
Prerequisite: Bronze Casting: Ceramic Shell Process or Foundry Fundamentals

>> Sign Up

This class is for people with metal-casting experience who have completed waxes to cast. The class explores details of metal casting: you will prepare your wax, dip it to make a ceramic shell mold and participate in a bronze pour.
Note: There is an additional cost per pound of wax, shell and metal.

Build Your Own Foundry Furnace
Entry-Level

>> Sign Up

In this class each student will build and learn how to safely operate a small propane fueled furnace capable of melting aluminum brass or bronze. You will also learn how to approach designing and building furnaces of larger capacities. The furnace will be of modest size capable of melting 12 lbs. of bronze or 4 lbs. of aluminum and can easily be operated by one person. The basic furnace is about 16"x16"x21"high and weighs about 100 lbs. The product of the class will include the furnace chamber, burner, a crucible and crucible handling tongs. It will not include propane tank, hose and regulator.

Sand Casting in Bronze & Aluminum
Entry-level

>> Sign Up

Turn your creations into cast metal! Working with resin-bonded sand, you'll learn the basics as you build your own mold. As part of a casting team, you'll have the exhilarating experience of pouring molten bronze or aluminum. After your casting cools, you'll open your mold and finish your piece. Bring a found object or a sculpture that's smaller than a breadbox to make your impression into the sand. The sculpture can be made of wax, clay, foam, or wood.

Introduction to Bell Casting
Entry-level

>> Sign Up

This class introduces you to lost-wax and sand casting. You will make an aluminum bell pattern via the lost wax process, then use this reusable pattern to cast bronze bells using the green sand process. The final bell will be about six inches in diameter.

Design & Make Your Own Waffle Iron
Entry-level

>> Sign Up 

Have you ever wanted to make your own Waffle Iron? If so this class is for you, from design to iron casting a stove top waffle iron. We will take you through the steps to create a waffle iron of your own design.

Cupola Iron Casting
Entry-level. Offered yearly.

>> Sign Up

This workshop takes you from making a mold in sand to completing a finished iron sculpture. You'll learn mold construction and preparation while building your own sand mold with resin-bonded sand. You'll learn the steps required to prepare for the cupola iron casting pour. In the final exhilarating event, you'll prepare iron and coke charges, operate the cupola and pour molten iron into your own sand mold.

Patinas Made Easy
Entry-level. Offered twice a year.

>> Sign Up

The right patina can be the essential finishing touch for your metal project. This hands-on weekend workshop teaches a variety of bronze patination methods and introduces other coatings and applications. Please bring some small pieces to patina. You'll be able to experiment on small test samples before working on your own pieces.