SS molds
Moderators: Brad Walker, Tony Smith
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SS molds
I read in the archives that just about anything stainless can be used as a mold so I bought some great SS bowls. I am guessing that I need to drill air vent holes in them prior to use, is that right?
Think about where the glass will touch the mold last and drill holes there; 1/8" is plenty, 3 or 4 should suffice for a medium size mold (to 14", roughly). Get a good drill bit- ss is hard, and use oil in the hole when you drill. Make sure the holes won't be sealed by the surface the mold will sit on.
Roughen the surface (I sandblast), heat the mold to 350F or so, take out hot and spray a more dilute kilnwash than usual (5 or 6 to 1 instead of 4 or 5 to 1). When you see water spots, put it back in the kiln or oven and reheat/ respray until you've got a good coating of wash. Fire-n-go.
Roughen the surface (I sandblast), heat the mold to 350F or so, take out hot and spray a more dilute kilnwash than usual (5 or 6 to 1 instead of 4 or 5 to 1). When you see water spots, put it back in the kiln or oven and reheat/ respray until you've got a good coating of wash. Fire-n-go.
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I don't blast my forms and they work fine, and hold the wash for many, many firings. I use a propane torch to heat them, though at one time I used the in and out of kiln approach. Torch is easier and faster. Most of my bowl and dish forms don't have holes as I'm not slumping hot enough to get a seal between glass and metal. I'd do some test slumps to see if it's a problem for the work you do.
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