Vessel Chasing with David Huang May 22-24, 2024, 10 AM- 6 PM
Vessel Chasing with Microcrystalline Wax
Using pre-made spun copper vessels this workshop will explore how to embellish the form with designs and textures created using the technique known as chasing. In place of traditional pitch we will be using a microcrystalline wax, one commonly used in bronze casting. During the course of the workshop we will also cover the basics of making ones own chasing tools, and participants will have the opportunity to make some if they wish to. We will also cover how to finish a vessel edge by soldering on a wire rim.
This workshop will be technique and information oriented rather than project oriented, meaning very few participants actually finish a piece during the time we have. However, everyone should get lots of information about the processes. Considerable time will be spent practicing the techniques while working on our pieces, but due to the labor intensive nature of chasing you shouldn’t expect to complete a piece in class.
In this class there will be one spun copper vessel provided as part of the class cost. If more are available they can be purchased for $35 each.
This workshop is open to all skill levels.
Refund Policy:
In the unlikely event an instructor needs to cancel a workshop you will have the choice to receive a full refund, to stay enrolled for the new dates, or to keep your money on account for other workshops, classes or casting service. You will be contacted by email as soon as possible for these arrangements.
If you need to cancel: Due to our very narrow margin on this workshop we will not be able to issue refunds. If, after registering, you find you can’t attend, you will be able to apply your funds on account to other workshops, classes or private lessons on a wide variety of topics.
Student Supply List for Chasing Workshop
1 vessel form to chase on. If you have a raised vessel already to chase that would be great. I will have some pre-made spun copper vessels available for sale that can be used. They are from 18 gauge copper, made from a 6” disk. The exact price may vary if I need to order more from the guy who is spinning them for me, but right now they are $35 each.
Chasing hammer - Some studios have enough to provide them for a workshop, but usually each student needs to bring their own. Check with the host studio if they don’t tell you already. Various types should work fine. What I have seems to be similar to Rio Grande’s item #112-227, a 4 oz chasing hammer. I should note that I am only using Rio Grande for reference since most of us have their catalogs handy. I suspect most jewelry suppliers will carry a similar item. If you KNOW you are really into chasing and want to invest significantly more money into a premium chasing hammer, the best chasing hammers I know of for sale are those made by Saign Charlstein. I wrote a review of his chasing hammers on my website that can be found here: https://davidhuang.org/david-huangs-studio/review-of-saign-charlesteins-chasing-hammers/ If you are just getting one I would recommend his 4.5 ounce size. Saign has also given me a discount code to share with my students that will get you 10% off your order.
Also, if you have something like a Fretz #9 hammer already you might want to bring that along. I'm going to show something I call hammer chasing that uses small hammers like this. I don't know that I'd go and buy one first though as you may not be interested in the technique. I'll have a few such hammers with me that students can use. I’m happy to say there is now an even better option for hammer chasing than the Fretz hammer. Working with Saign Charlestein on this we’ve developed a couple new hammers specifically for this sort of work, the “Huang Embossing Hammers”. Like his other hammers, they are an investment in a premium tool so you may well want to KNOW you are really interested in this technique before investing in them. I am planning to bring mine with me to the workshop to let everyone try them out if you wish. I’ve also got my more detailed write up about them on my website here: https://davidhuang.org/david-huangs-studio/the-huang-embossing-hammers/ If you are interested in getting one before class you can order them directly from Saign on his website here: https://www.metalsmithing-tools.com/product-page/huang-embossing-hammer The DH10 discount code would get you 10% off these as well. Actually it will get you 10% off anything on his site!
Chasing tools - I will bring very basic sets I'm making for the workshops so each student will have a set to use during the workshop. If you wish to keep the set you can purchase it, if not I’ll just use them again in another workshop. Beyond this any other chasing tools you have would be handy to bring, but there shouldn’t be any need to buy them special for the workshop. If you do wish to purchase the chasing tools the current cost for the set of 15 tools is $260. I offer a $50 discount for workshop attendees, making the price $210. I will also sell the tools individually if desired, since many students find they already have many of the shapes in other sets they own. Individual tool prices will vary based on the tool.
Safety glasses. One should always have a pair of safety glasses in a studio!
Round wire. This is for making wire rims that would be soldered on the raised vessel. If you don’t want to do this then don’t worry about having the wire. If you do then I find I use 8, 10, or 12 gauge most often. These thicknesses seem to work well visually with a vessel raised from a 6” disk. I like silver round wire, but copper, brass, or bronze would work just fine as well. One foot of length per vessel should be more than enough. Honestly, I find in a chasing workshop hardly anybody gets to this stage, though I will demonstrate it. So if you don’t have this handy already or don’t want to hassle with bringing it, don’t worry about it.
Medium silver wire solder. Again one foot of length per vessel should be more than enough. If you don’t already have medium silver wire solder please don’t make a special order just to get the little bit needed for this workshop. I will have extra with me that I’ll sell on an as needed basis at more or less whatever my cost was. Again, this is used for soldering on a rim which you may not get to, so don’t worry too much about bringing this if you don’t have it readily on hand.
Files and abrasive paper. Various files and a range of grits of abrasive paper would be good for making a chasing tool or two, along with cleaning up excess solder after soldering on a rim if you get that far.
A pencil - I prefer a mechanical pencil with .5mm lead, but any pencil should do fine. This will be used for drawing your initial design on the vessel.
Vessel holder - DON’T worry about having this! I’m listing it just so you know. I will be bringing along some spun wood thingies I have made for holding the vessel while we chase. They will be free to use during the workshop. If you wish to keep it afterward I will sell them for $25 each (price subject to change if my supplier costs go up). They were patterned after a rubber base I got with my pitch bowl. If you have that sort of rubber base and it’s convenient to bring along go ahead, but again, don’t worry about if you don’t.
Microcrystalline wax - again, DON’T worry about having this for the workshop. We will have some there at the studio since it’s just not convenient for everybody to find and buy some on their own. How this is worked out may vary from workshop host to workshop host. I’m providing information about it here since I know most students want this info for potential future use. I find a vessel formed from a 6” disk, as the spun copper vessels will be, takes just under ½ pound of wax to fill. I have been using #2AB56 Brown Art Bronze Wax made by J.F. McCaughin company. There are various types of this microcrystalline wax and all have seemed to work fine so far. It is a common supply for bronze casting. A web search should turn up potential suppliers. Lately I've been buying it from Arizona Sculpture Supply. Here is a link to the page it is on: http://arizonasculpture.com/j-mac-art-bronze-wax/