Intro ‘On the surface it would seem that casting or; be @ realtively simple matter of filing a basically true, there are a number of that will make the process litle This book is a compilation of ideas} and mold manufacturers alike who! of doing the job through their pass along their ideas in the The bulk of this book years of experience call know, and Tom has tion ‘mold would weith slip. Although hints to be aware of studio owners ‘right and wrong ways sare lucky 10 be able to Tom has a number of ‘ownership of his own /makers in the industry that will help you understand a little and making their molds for the ceramic market. You mold adaptation that will help you get more use out of each of your molds. ‘Many other subjects ae inckudied suchas a timing system for pouring, how to keep all those mold company catalogs in some kind of working order, plus the method of correcting warped molds. We have tried to include as much information in this one text as possible that will enable you to use this book as a guide to pouring. The wealth of information it contains will be an ideal refresher for the professional ‘and a must for the beginner. be Dale Swant Table of Contents Why is professional casting important ........2 Dry greenware Mold nomenclature ......... 0... 2 Trouble shooting - How a mold works «2.00. 3 Locating your molds . . Care and storage of molds. 3 Reclaiming slip . . Casting items for food . 4 Miscellaneous tips... Casting a one piece mold . 5 Easy mold timing . Casting a two piece mold . 6 Mold catalog library 4 Casting various boxes YI Auditing freight bills : 118 Casting very large molds . 8 What goes into making a ceramic mold .... 19 Broken molds......... 9 How mold companies determine mold prices .20 ‘Castinga complex mold .. . 10 Howto fix warped molds .. . . " Readinga mold .. See. ere The wedding of molds (mold adaptation)... Repairing greenware........ 2.2 .2020000- 1 Glossary of terms ........eeeeeeeeeeee Modifying molds... 0.0.2... ceeee 12 FIFTH PRINTING Published By: No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form ©1993 SCOTT PUBLICATIONS —_by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, 30595 EIGHT MILE LIVONIA, MI 48152-1798 ISBN# 0-916809-70-6 sé ‘otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher. No. 3524-11-98 PRINTED INUS.A.‘away with anything sub-standard. ‘Check again to see that the seam: ‘and keys are free of slip. Clay left to in this area can cause a mold to Werped molds sometimes tive attention. be dried slowly. Never ‘of an operating kiln to Juneven and may cause You can, with care, almost always have large spots on the molds. These ‘of an electric heater. which are difficult to ‘even soak into the mold and Is too intense by greenware. Jn the mold cavity and onto ‘When you are satisfied are. Two or three thickness- of the mold is clean check the faces for sips . much be sure to fam the mold frequent bbe a fur coat on it. A light ly so that it can dry evenly. At best this is If you have ‘white crystalline looking fuzz. not a good method. allow the mold ‘by deflocculents in the An electric fan can be used but, in a place e plaster to the mold again, turn the mold often to dry it evenly...a mold which ie dried too fast ‘may begin to disintegrate. Be carefull If molds must be stored where flying ch will block the pores and insects can get to them cover the pour mold slow to dry and to gates with tape to keep mud wasps out. Their nests are nearly impossible to remove. . Proper care of a mold can extend the a life by 25%. their shiny look, liftthem, dip them in sip and place them over the holes. ‘Smooth the area with a damp finger. Pierce the outside of the handle, top ‘and bottom, on the lower surface, with ‘a needle tool to act as a vent. ‘Cups with a pedestal or foot may form traps in the bottom. Treat them the ‘seme way or, right after draining them, £ ‘pour enough slip back into the mold to ‘A bacteria trap is any area inside = fil the foot solid. If you use the puddle container which would not be washed type patch be sure to vent the bottom of clean without special attention. A deep the base with a needle tool. The reason dimple on the inside where a handle for venting will be explained later. be free of bacteria traps.