24hrs. after the last dip of the shells we cut off the tops of the cups.
Then we cut slits in the shell to keep them from cracking when the wax heats and expands.
Shell 24 hrs. after last dip.
I used an angle grinder with a masonary cutting blade to cut off the top.
These shells are then put in the kiln cup side down and heated.
Heating in the kiln
Wax melts into bucket
The wax runs out of the shells into a bucket under the kiln. This is the lost wax casting method.
Once the empty shells have cooled we patch any cracks and all the cuts used to release the wax except the cup opening and the two main vents that exit at the top of the cup.
Shell with cracks and slits patched with sparset