Bronze Casting - Positioning the Hoist

When the bronze reaches 2250 degrees F (measured by a special thermometer - to be seen later), the crucible is lifted with the special apparatus shown here. A locking device - simple in design but very effective - insures the crucible will be held firmly with the hoist.

The protective equipment is clearly seen here: face masks, aprons, sleeves and top, gloves, thick steel-toed high-topped leather boots, and leggings. All the clothes worn are natural fiber cotton and the protective coverings are all leather.

The large box-like structure just behind the "pourmaster" is the furnace that does double duty for melting and burning out the wax in the lost wax process and for pre-heating the shells before filling them with bronze. This furnace heats the shells up to "only" 1600 degrees F - and in about three or four minutes.