The fettling stage, preparing the bronzes for assembly.

After cutting and grinding the runners and risers away each peice was carefully cleaned to remove all traces of the investment material. Because the surface was heavily detailed this was a delicate job. We used air abrasion to help speed things up, using fired ceramic chips (molochite) NOT sharp sand, the sand is too agressive and will damage the surface.

Seeing the head in one peice was a major releif. This was the moment we knew for sure we would make the time deadline...barring no other disasters of course.