Now things get serious, the silver heat-resistant suits are out! These help, but bronze melts at 1800 F, and to get it to a state where it is fluid enough to pour even higher temperatures are required. These crafted artisans must employ years of experience to ensure that the pour is both successful and safe. Molds do fail at this stage if not bought up to temperature in a kiln beforehand and it is down to the foundry master to decide temperatures and durations before the pour.
It is a privilege to watch this ballet of heavy machinery and molten metal on a journey to become a piece of art, in a process that hasn't changed fundamentally in thousands of years.
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