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Making a
Drop Ring Mold
This is part two of
a multi-part tip on making a drop ring mold. Click here to
go to part one.
Once you've selected the refractory
material for your mold, you're ready to begin the actual process
of making the mold.
Shaping the Material to Make the Mold
Although commercial drop rings almost
always have circular holes, the ones you make can be any shape
you wish. Don’t be afraid to try ovals, squares, and even
elaborate kidney shapes. Use a Sharpie or similar pen to draw
the desired hole shape onto the board, then carefully cut along
the line with the appropriate tool.
Fiber board and Ceramaguard can be cut
with a common craft knife, but other materials (such as
vermiculite board) may require woodworking saws or more
specialized tools. While cutting, it’s a good idea to wear a
respirator or mask to keep from breathing undesirable particles.
Click
here to go to the final
part of this tip, which involves preparing the mold for firing. ----------------
Copyright 2006 Brad Walker. All rights
reserved.
Parts of this discussion
have been previously published in Glass Craftsman
magazine. |
