DIY Metal Pendants

Metal pendants can be made using the lost wax method.

Metal can be melted and formed into various sizes and shapes to make beautiful pendants. Create metal pendants at home with the proper tools and the lost wax method of metal casting. Lost wax is the simplest process to create pendants. It gets its name from the wax casting which is evaporated from the plaster mold. Pendants can be made with gold, sterling silver, bronze, platinum and stainless steel.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Paper
• Wax
• Craft knife
• Metal flask
• Kiln
• Investment
• Welding torch
• Crucible
• Centrifuge
• Metal tongs
• Bucket
• Water

Instructions

1. Draw the design of the metal pendant on paper. With a craft knife, carve the pendant's design into wax.

2. Set the wax casting into your container or metal flask. Secure a thin, long piece of wax to the wax casting.

3. Pour the investment into the metal flask. Investment is also known as plaster of Paris. It is dry when purchased. Mix it with water according to the package's instructions. Wait 10 minutes for the investment to harden.

4. Heat the metal flask to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit in a kiln. The wax casting will burn out, leaving the plaster mold. The thin, long piece of wax leaves a channel for pouring metal.

5. Turn the centrifuge several times and place the pin in it to keep it in place. Position the crucible on the centrifuge and set metal inside. Melt the metal by heating the insides of the crucible with a welding torch.

6. Position your metal flask on the centrifuge. Release the pin so the centrifuge starts spinning. Centrifuges apply a substantial amount of force to the molten metal, which allows the metal to reach all areas within the plaster mold.

7. Remove your metal flask with metal tongs when the centrifuge stops spinning. Set the metal flask in a bucket filled with water. Since the investment is water-soluble, it will release from the metal flask. Remove your metal pendant from the disintegrating investment.

Tips & Warnings

• Melt the metal only when it's on the centrifuge. Transferring moltem metal can cause damage to items and burns to the skin.

References

• AU Enterprises: Lost Wax Casting
• Ram's Horn Studio: Lost Wax Casting
• Emporia: Working With Silver!