Casts 49 



method of obtaining many reproductions out of the same mold. 

 For example, in museum display groups a school of fishes, which 

 usually travel with their age-mates of the same size, can all be 

 produced from the same mold. It is a simple matter to warm 

 the individual casts in hot water so that their bodies can be 

 turned here and there to make them look slightly different one 

 from another. Wax fish can be cast in a half mold, which is 

 usually sufficient when constructing a school of fishes where 

 only one side will be seen, or the whole fish can be cast using 

 a two-piece mold. A wax cast is not fragile, nor is it a messy job 

 if done properly. 



Wax Casts-Half Mold 



Let us assume first that only the show side of the fish will be 

 cast. Immerse the mold in hot water. If the mold is too large 

 for a tub or the sink, pour hot water over it. The mold should be 

 soaked at least until all the air bubbles are released from it. In 

 other words, the mold has absorbed all the water it can. 



A separating medium is required between the plaster mold 

 and the wax cast— as it is necessary in all casting processes. 

 However, a different, simple separator is used. Before applying 

 wax to the mold, soap it well with a thin solution of green 

 surgical soap or shaving soap; or the usual soap powder or soap 

 flakes used in the kitchen may be brushed dry onto the wet 

 mold until a heavy lather forms. Remove the lather with a 

 brush. Run the brush in the mold and wipe it on a cloth or 

 towel after every few strokes. Sweep the brush over the mold 

 until a slight polished effect is obtained. A thin film of soap will 

 be left on the surface of the mold which will facilitate the 

 separation of the wax cast from the plaster mold. If the wax is 

 too hot when applied to the mold, however, difficulty will be 

 experienced in separating the two. I have found that oil, 

 Vaseline, lard, etc., are not satisfactory separators. 



A fish reproduced in wax can be made as durable as plaster 

 if it is handled with care. But any wax used in an unadulterated 

 form in casting is unsatisfactory because either it is too brittle 



