![\"\"](\"http:\/\/userblogs.ganoksin.com\/leessilver\/files\/2010\/04\/wax-build-up00011.jpg\")
<\/a> ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/userblogs.ganoksin.com\/leessilver\/files\/2010\/04\/gold-build-up-ring.jpg\")
<\/a>\nThese rings are examples of models built with the wax build up process.\u00a0 Note the texture the build up process produces.<\/p>\n
The temperature of the tool and how it is used can produce different finishes on the wax.\u00a0 The model may also be held near an alcohol lamp to smooth the finish although it is difficult to get a smooth uniform finish on a build up model.<\/p>\n BUILD UP TECHNIQUE OLD TRADITIONAL METHOD OF WAX BUILD UP<\/strong><\/p>\n There are several waxes that may be used in the build up process.\u00a0 Most of the buildup waxes are on the brittle side.<\/p>\n Any wax that does not conform to the design can be scraped or cut away.\u00a0 The spot where the overheated wax flowed must be allowed to cool before trying to add more wax.\u00a0 Heated wax will cause a large amount of wax to flow off the tool on to the design.<\/p>\n There are electrically heated tools that help make the build up process easier and much faster.<\/p>\n This photo shows an electric pen tip being used to build up wax.<\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a>
\nThe bezel around the stones was produced with the wax build up
\nprocess.<\/p>\n
\nThe basic tool used in the build up method may consist of dental tools or home made tools.\u00a0 The tools must be designed so that when heated wax will move onto the tool and the melted wax on the tool moves from the tool onto the wax model.\u00a0 The shape is dependant on how much wax you wish to deposit onto the wax model.
\nPointed tools can be used to deposit small drops of wax onto the model.\u00a0 Larger flat tools will deposit more wax.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThe dental tool shown is heated briefly by an alcohol lamp.\u00a0 Do not over heat.\u00a0 The wax should not burn.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThe heated tip of the tool is pressed into the build up wax.\u00a0 Melted wax will flow on to the tip of the tool.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThese are two types of waxes that may be used in the build up process.\u00a0 Normally build up wax melts and cools very rapidly.\u00a0 The wax is normally hard and brittle.\u00a0 Just about any wax can be used in the build up process.\u00a0 Some will work easier than others.\u00a0 Each artist should experiment with different waxes to develop the technique they want to use.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThe tool with the wax is then heated slightly.\u00a0 The wax is then drawn on the previous built up wax.\u00a0 The process of heating the tool tip, picking up wax and an reheating then drawing is repeated until the shape of the design is reached.\u00a0 The process is very time consuming.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nIf the wax and tool are heated to much the wax will flow over the design.\u00a0 If it is not heated enough the wax will not flow on to the model.
\nThe wax that is not part of the design can be scraped away while it is still hot.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThe model is shaped by continually heating the tool, melting wax, reheating the tool then drawing the wax.\u00a0 The process will create a model that shows lines between each layer of wax.\u00a0 These lines can be smoothed out by heating the tool and re-melting the body of wax.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThis is what the side of the built up line looks like.\u00a0 The top and sides are very irregular.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThe hot wax forms a fillet between the previous wax and the tool.<\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a>
\nUnfortunately this wax build up tool is no longer manufactured.\u00a0\u00a0 The front end and the tube of the tool is heated.\u00a0 It has a lever on the front that controls the amount of wax that flows from the tip.\u00a0 The trigger controls the start and stop of the wax flow.\u00a0 Pink sprue wax is placed in the center of the tool.
\nIf you ever find this tool for sale buy it.\u00a0 It is extremely handy when doing wax build up.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThis photo shows the use of the discontinued wax tool.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThis is what the final build up project looks like.\u00a0 Note the texture.\u00a0 If a smooth texture is desired the model may be held near an alcohol lamp till the wax melts slightly.\u00a0 The surface texture is more at the whim of the tool,\u00a0 alcohol lamp and wax than the artist.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThe lines on this bracelet were first built up as described above.\u00a0 Wax was then drawn to the side of the lines.<\/p>\n<\/a> A vertical line is built up first.<\/p>\n<\/a>Wax is then built up on the side of the lines.<\/p>\n<\/a>The inside intersections of the wax must be filled with wax to insure proper casting.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThe lines of this bracelet were built up as described above.\u00a0 The texture was then drawn on the top surface of the lines.<\/p>\n