How do I weigh my wax model?

Use a digital kitchen scale. Weigh the complete wax model including sprues if already attached. For hollow wax shells, the weight is typically 60-80% less than a solid equivalent.

Why is bronze so much heavier than wax?

Bronze density is 8.8 g/cm³ compared to wax at 0.9 g/cm³ — nearly 10 times heavier. A 500 g wax model becomes approximately 4.9 kg in bronze. This significant weight difference affects handling, shipping and display.

How much does bronze cost in the UK?

Bronze alloy (typically phosphor bronze or silicon bronze for art casting) costs approximately £8-15 per kg depending on alloy and supplier. The metal cost is usually a small fraction of the total casting cost which includes labour, shell building and finishing.

What is the total cost of bronze casting?

Professional bronze casting in the UK typically costs £30-60 per kg of finished bronze, all-inclusive. A 5 kg casting might cost £150-300. This includes shell building, burnout, pouring, fettling and basic patina.

Can I cast bronze myself?

Home bronze casting requires specialist equipment: a furnace reaching 1100°C, crucibles, investment materials and safety gear. Most artists use professional foundries. However, aluminium casting at lower temperatures is feasible for home workshops.

ArtCalcs

Bronze Weight Calculator — Wax to Bronze Conversion

Estimate the weight and cost of a bronze casting from wax model dimensions.

Wax Model Weight

Weigh on a digital scale

Shell Thickness

Ceramic shell (3-6 mm typical)

Bronze Price per kg (optional)

Leave blank to skip cost estimate

How We Calculate This

How Bronze Weight Calculation Works

Bronze weight = (Wax weight / Wax density) x Bronze density

The wax weight is divided by wax density (0.9 g/cm³) to get volume. This volume multiplied by bronze density (8.8 g/cm³) gives the bronze weight. Bronze is approximately 9.8 times heavier than the same volume of wax.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.