best mold materials?
Moderators: Brad Walker, Tony Smith
best mold materials?
I need to know from you more experienced glass workers which materials are best for molds, and where can I find these materials? I use a lot of terra cotta plant pots and dishes, but am limited by their shapes. I can also make and fire my own molds out of high fire clay, but it is a lot of trouble. ( I work full time, so want to spend my time kiln firing my glass! LOL!) I also need to know which tools are best for codworking fused glass jewelry. My work is really improving, and I now have some money to put into new materials and equipment. As per the coldworking, I mostly just smooth out rough edges on the glass, etc. Any ideas or suggestions will be appreciated. I am ready to "move up in the world" of glass fusing..... Thanks for any advice.
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Re: best mold materials?
There are lots of alternatives for molds. Most of my ceramic molds are unglazed bisque from the local "paint your own pottery" place.molly wrote:I need to know from you more experienced glass workers which materials are best for molds, and where can I find these materials? I use a lot of terra cotta plant pots and dishes, but am limited by their shapes. I can also make and fire my own molds out of high fire clay, but it is a lot of trouble. ( I work full time, so want to spend my time kiln firing my glass! LOL!) I also need to know which tools are best for codworking fused glass jewelry. My work is really improving, and I now have some money to put into new materials and equipment. As per the coldworking, I mostly just smooth out rough edges on the glass, etc. Any ideas or suggestions will be appreciated. I am ready to "move up in the world" of glass fusing..... Thanks for any advice.
Stainless steel bowls work well -- but are somewhat of a pain to kiln wash.
Though I haven't used them (and they are a bit pricey) I know a number of folks who use Bullseye's ceramic molds and swear by the quality.
A search on "molds" (in the current board and in the old archive) should yield lots of good reading.
Likewise for topics like "web belt sander" "lap wheel" "grinder" -- and any other piece of cold working equipment you can think of.
Think about what you are trying to achieve -- its always a bit risky to be a bit of technology in search of a project...
- Paul
Thanks for the response, Paul. I will search the archives to see what I can find out. I just noticed that some of you were making molds from fiber board, etc. As I said, my options are limited due to the fact I need rather small molds for jewelry pieces. I'd like som new shapes, and guess I should start on some more new ones that I make myself out of clay. Thanks for the advice! This board is really fun!!!
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Molly
One big advantage of making your own molds is that nobody else will have molds like yours.
"Glass Casting and Mold Making" by Boyce Lundstrom is a good book.
One big advantage of making your own molds is that nobody else will have molds like yours.
"Glass Casting and Mold Making" by Boyce Lundstrom is a good book.
Bert
Bert Weiss Art Glass*
http://www.customartglass.com
Furniture Lighting Sculpture Tableware
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Bert Weiss Art Glass*
http://www.customartglass.com
Furniture Lighting Sculpture Tableware
Architectural Commissions
That is true, I suppose. I am just not a very patient person, and time is of the essence right now. I also hate to wait for the clay to dry before it can be fired, which takes DAYS at the very least. But, you DO have a valid point. Perhaps I should just make some and post the results! Thanks for the advice, and any other suggestions will be appreciated.