I am getting close to using my new mold making and wax injection tools. I am making two new designs for pendants that I will first cast in silver the standard way. I will highly finish them and then use them as the masters for the rubber mold making.

The result should be that I will have two master molds for wax injection. That is assuming I can cut them open properly without hacking a finger. The tool used for parting the rubber mold is an extremely sharp surgical scalpel. I have a protective glove to wear that will prevent cuts but not stabs. Oww.

Then I get the chance to play with the wax injector.

Both tools are simple devices so no extraordinary skills are required except for the rubber cutting process. There is a procedure for that, which is not all that difficult. Actually there are several procedures and the difficulty depends on the details of the master model and how to release the wax after injection. Very interesting and a skill that improves probably through trial and a bit of error.

I have a very detailed video instruction course that I have reviewed several times. It is just like having the instructor right there except there is a much better view than being live. Just can’t stop the training and ask questions.

There are a few tricks of the trade That I would not have known without the instruction course. Things like preheating the packed rubber mold before fully tightening the press. There is a certain amount of mold expansion that could damage the press if the mold frame was clamped full when cold. Good tips to know.

Also the venting and wax release tricks when cutting the rubber mold. Many examples good and bad exist on YouTube. There are also methods using a vulcanizing mold that eliminate rubber cutting. It seems it all depends on how and who trained you to make molds.

For me it is all part of the enjoyment of mastering a new process and developing a cutting edge skill that is unusual and rare. Never a dull moment. A cut above the rest. (Yes, a few puns…)