Sand Blasting Process for the 10th Special Forces Monument By: Austin Weishel

Sandblasting is a technique that is often used to remove excess material and smooth the surface of a bronze sculpture. It involves the use of a high-pressure stream of abrasive particles, such as sand, to etch away at the surface of the bronze. To sandblast a bronze sculpture, the piece is first secured in a sandblasting booth or chamber. The sculpture is then coated with a thin layer of protective material, such as wax or a rubber coating, to protect the areas that should not be sandblasted. Next, the sandblaster sprays the sculpture with a high-pressure stream of abrasive particles, moving the nozzle back and forth across the surface of the sculpture to evenly etch away at the bronze. The pressure and type of abrasive particles used can be adjusted to achieve the desired level of surface roughness. After the sandblasting is complete, the protective coating is removed, revealing the newly sandblasted surface of the bronze sculpture. Sandblasting can be used to remove excess material, smooth the surface of the bronze, or create a textured finish on the sculpture. Artist: Austin Weishel Website: www.AustinWeishel.com Bronze Sculpture: 10th Special Forces Monument, Located in Colorado Springs Bronze sculpture casting process: 1. The sculptor, Austin Weishel, creates a clay model of the desired sculpture he and his client would like to see. 2. Once the sculpture is fully detailed and complete in the clay form, A mold is made of the clay model by coating it with a layer of silicone rubber. The mold is then cut into sections to allow for easier removal from the clay model Austin sculpted. 3. The mold sections are then reassembled, and the inside surfaces of the mold are coated with a layer of molten wax. The wax is then applied a few more times to build up a layer to 3/16th inch thick. 4. The mold sections are then pulled away from the wax to get a positive wax image of the sculpture. Once the wax is fixed from any defects, the wax is then dipped / coated with a layer of fine silica sand. The sand is mixed with a small amount of binder, which helps it to hold its shape. 6. The wax and sand are then allowed to dry, at which point the wax positive is then melted out in a large oven. This then creates a gap between the sand, to where the bronze factory will pour the bronze. 7. The sand mold is then placed on a pouring table, and molten bronze is poured into the sand cast at 2,000 degrees. 8. As the bronze cools within the sand, it takes on the shape of where the wax once was. Once the bronze has cooled, the mold is broken away, revealing the finished bronze sculpture. 10. Once all the parts of the sculpture are cast in bronze, using the "Lost Wax casting process", the bronze parts are then welded back together, metal chased (taking down the welds). 11. Once the metal work is complete, the bronze sculpture is then sent to coloring, also called, Patina. Artist: Austin Weishel Website: www.AustinWeishel.com Bronze Sculpture: 10th Special Forces Monument, Located in Colorado Springs Instagram: @HonorableSculptures Website: https://austinweishel.com Blog: https://austinweishel.com/blog/ Youtube: @austinweishel