How to Cut Hard Microcrystalline Wax

by Miss Cabbit in Workshop > Molds & Casting

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How to Cut Hard Microcrystalline Wax

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I did this at TechShop Menlo Park. http://www.techshop.com

A large chunk of microcrystalline wax is not easily cut or broken. We had to get creative with the solution.

Tried Using a Saw

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And it gummed up the blade right away.

Introduce Electrical Heat

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We figured we would use a car battery charger to introduce heat to the blade.

Charged Saw

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It worked for a second but didn't get too far. Maybe because the blade surface being too big to send an even charge.

Wire Cutter

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Using conductive copper wire and two sticks of wood we created a cutter. It didn't work by itself but charging it helped.

Cut

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Electricity provided heat for the wire which cut through the wax nicely and easily!

Chunks of Wax

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The smaller chunks of wax are much easier to work with. I am using them for lost wax casting.
Enjoy!