ELECTROPLATING AND ELECTROTYPING. 173 



exclude all moisture and air-bubbles. The wax is then poured 

 into shallow metal vessels about one quarter inch deep. (These 

 vessels are provided with rings at the angles to facilitate their 

 being suspended in the bath.) 



The mixture of moulding wax, when very hot, is poured in 

 the shallow metal vessel so as to spread uniformly, and the said 

 vessel is placed on a horizontal surface to let the wax partially 

 cool. The surface must be skimmed as soon as cracks are 

 observed and a skin begins to form. When the wax is in a 

 kneading state it is placed on the engraving and slightly 

 pressed. The mould is then raised a little in order to ascertain 

 if any particle of wax has remained attached to the wood, in 

 which case the latter is again sprinkled with plumbago and 

 placed back in its former position. Precaution must be taken 

 by means of guiding marks or otherwise to secure the replacing 

 of the mould in exactly the same position which it previously 

 occupied. 



A strong pressure is then applied, either by means of a 

 hydraulic press (Fig. 28), or of a hand-screw press. The 



FIG. 28. 



Hydraulic Press for Moulding the Electros. 



hydraulic press devised for electrotyping is small and compact. 

 The table can be withdrawn so as to enable the workman to 

 well secure his mould in position. The pump is placed at one 



