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The hot molds are in the sand pit, the crucible of molten bronze is ready to pour - now comes the fun!

The lead pour call out directions to the button man who lifts the ring shank with the crane.

Here we are starting the pour. You can see the row of ceramic shell molds lined up in the sand pit. The thinnest casting is poured first while the molten metal is hottest and most liquid. The lead pour on the right and the deadman in the middle are pouring the bronze. Thats me on the left ready to help stop up any leaks in the molds should they occur. Since this is a student setting, leaks are a common occurrence.

Another view of the pour. You can see how the ring shank is suspended from the crane. The person bending down in front of the crucible is the skimmer - he is making sure that no dross flows into the mold and tells the lead pour when the mold is full.

The molten metal being poured.

Once all the molds are full, any excess metal is poured into ingot molds to be remelted for another pour. We always try to melt more then is needed - better to have extra then to run short and get 1/2 of a casting.

The skimmer cleans out as much dross and oxides as he can from the crucible.

The crucible is put back into the furnace to cool slowly or ready for another pour..

The furnace is closed up, and everything is cleaned up and put away.

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