Page 25 - Abraham Lincoln Hearse Narrative

FOURTH PROGRESS UPDATE ~ DECEMBER, 2014 ~ ERIC HOLLENBECK
Mercedes then takes the flat
patterns that have been cut out of wood
and proceeds to make them beautiful
with polymer clays and then bakes
them into the patterns for the molds.
She has taught herself not only how to
work with the clay but how to adhere
Anartis & Mercedes
conferring over design details. it to the wood shapes before baking.
Through methods she found on YouTube and some she developed
herself, she has made one of a kind, accurate patterns for the foundry.
Then, after a week of making the pattern for the “pineapple”
which tops off the finial castings, it was brought to our attention
that it was Mercedes applying
polymer clay to the
wrong and wooden form.
Mercedes
immediately jumped in making
the new correct, “Flaming Pear”
pattern, with no fuss at all.
Johnny, Andrew and Jenna
then make the aluminum castings.
These folks are our “Sand Crabs”
Above: Mercedes applying polymer ~ that’s the name given to the
clay to achieve “Flaming Pear” design. foundry men. They take Mercedes’
Right: “Flaming Pear” now ready to be pattern, all sanded, shellacked and
cast in the foundry.
lacquered, and using it they ram
up the green sand in the cope and drag. Once the sand is rammed tight around the pattern the
cope and drag are separated and the pattern lifted out; pour sprouts are put in and put back
together then poured with the molten aluminum. Sounds easy huh? It’s anything but!
Try doing this process with a two foot long by 18 inch wide appliqué frame casting where

The skirting appliqué being cast and placed by Johnny and Jenna. Nine more to cast!

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