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Sink Molds
Although molds for slumping bowls and platters are widely
available, good molds for slumping glass sinks are much more
difficult to find. They're also quite expensive when they are
available, and can easily cost several hundred dollars or more.
It's critical that a good sink mold be shaped properly, generally
with gently contoured sides and a slight kick, or flat spot, at the
bottom. The ideal sink mold should also be strong enough to
handle a considerable weight of glass (a glass sink can easily
weight more than 10 pounds). And finally, it should be able to
withstand the heat of the kiln without warping or bending, even
after repeated use.
The options that make for good sink molds fall into three main
categories:
1. Stainless steel, either custom spun or adapted from an
item like a large wok;
2. Hand made, most often from clay, plaster/silica, or a
related refractory material.
3. Drop ring style, usually made from fiberboard or a
similar strong refractory board product.
Each of these three different categories of sink molds will be
discussed in upcoming tips.
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Copyright 2005 Brad Walker.
All rights reserved.
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