Sand Casting 101

Instructor - Jules H

Jules first learned casting from a jewelry perspective and is currently interested in many types of metal sculpture and jewelry. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Creative Studies & Fine Arts. A proud generalist with a professional background in non-profits, at Artisans Asylum she serves as a casting shop tool tester, instructor, and a member of the Gallery A2 panel. She loves cats, coffee, fostering creativity and building community.

Class Description

Learn the ancient art of Sand Casting metal! For anyone from total beginners to those who simply want a refresher and/or to learn their way around the Artisans Asylum Casting Shop. Students will cast and take home a small bronze item such as a medal, pendant, bottle opener, or ornament.

Participants will leave this class with the knowledge needed to enjoy sand casting at Artisans. We will cover the entire process: starting with an original pattern, packing Petrobond sand into a 2-part mold, melting and pouring bronze with the Electromelt crucible, removing sprues, cleaning sand off, and sanding, as well as casting shop best practices.

We will be casting only in ancient bronze during class, yet this class prepares students to use the A2 Casting Shop to create items like jewelry, components, and small sculptures in a variety of shop-approved metals including silver, bronze, brass, and more! The class covers the skills needed to take Artisans Asylum Tool Tests for: Sand Casting and the Electromelt.

Students may optionally bring a pattern of their own to cast in ancient bronze, if it is feasible to cast using a 2-part mold, eg, no undercuts. Volume of pattern should be around a cubic inch or less. A small selection of premade pattern items will be available to all students, so bringing one is not required. Some finishing such as filing and sanding may remain to be done after the class.

Material Fee

The materials fee for this class is $20. This is separate from the ticket price and is to reimburse the instructor for any tools or materials used in this class. This will be paid once, directly to the instructor at the start of the first class meeting. This instructor accepts payments in Cash or Venmo.

Class Goals

Students will receive a full introduction to Sand Casting, including:

• An overview and brief history
• Intro to the Artisans Asylum Casting Shop
• Brief intro to sand types and tools
• Preparing a 2-part mold using Petrobond sand - how to and best practices
• Adding a funnel space to the sand mold
• Use of the Electromelt to melt and pour molten metal
• Quenching and cleaning sand off of work
• Cutting off sprues and buttons
• Basics of filing and sanding
• Safety skills for all of the above
• How to leave the shop in ready to use condition

Take aways:

• One small bronze casting, possibly two if time allows.

Preparation to take the Artisans Asylum Casting Shop Tool Tests for: 

• Sand Casting, the Electromelt

Material Supplied

All consumable casting materials, including ancient bronze metal for casting, specialized sand for metalcasting, optional small patterns, optional N95 masks are provided. The casting shop also provides the use of relevant tools and equipment including: 2-part mold frames, complete sand casting toolkits, Electromelt, safety leather aprons, gloves, safety glasses, and other tools.

Students Should Bring

Be sure to wear only natural fiber clothing (ex. cotton, wool, or leather), closed-toe shoes (preferably leather), long pants, and a shirt that covers shoulders, torso and upper arms, such as a cotton long-sleeved shirt or T-shirt. 

Eye glasses if you use them, especially those for detailed work.

Something to take notes with.

As mentioned in the description, students may optionally bring a pattern of their own to cast in ancient bronze, if it is feasible in shape to cast using a 2-part mold, eg, no undercuts. Something like a medal shape, 1/8 inch thick or thicker, is ideal. Volume of pattern should be no more than an approximate cubic inch, but fine/thin objects may not cast well. Instructor may recommend a provided item instead. A small selection of premade pattern items will be available to all students, so bringing one is not required.

Prerequisites

All students must be 18 years or older. This class is suitable for total beginners, those looking for a refresher, and those seeking to become familiar with the Artisans Casting Shop. No prior experience is necessary. 

Class Policies

Learn more about our class and ticket cancelation policies Here.

Please email education@artisansasylum.com with any questions.

*Sales end 24 hours before the start of the class to allow the instructor and staff time to prep.