page 10 Mouldy Techno Tips This basic mould making strategy is == ——_ versatile and flexible, With a coping saw and an ample supply of masonite or plastic sheeting one could invent endless new forms, Diligent readers may remember an account of Andy Martin's workshop that appeared in the April 95 issue of the newsletter. Im that article | described the construction of a mould fer solid casting forms with hollow foot rings. Thar trick, however, is one he doesn't use often. He depends on the strategy that this article deseribes more frequently. Pat Taddy Mest of che vessels char Andy makes have bases and top openings that are determined by the shapes of masonite patterns. If a flange is required a chird pattern, with an edge, is set back from the top pattern edge by the expected wall thickness af the cast object. Alsec avsmmnbl, al hae Space betweer a» etberns kus heer Tlustranon 1 shows how the top and bottom patterns are assembled in the first stage of the construction of a solid model. Fi stubbed ath elow, eobval, The sticks separating the two pieces of a : way then trimmed mt masonite will determine the height of che Ae &- a foal similar te form. These patterns can be recycled for another form such as a lid, through Pi adjustments to the length of the separating sticks. Once this object has been cobbled together, clay is stuffed inte the space between the patterns (2), and any excess is trimmed away with the aid of a large wire @ bow (3). In che case of the form in illustration 2, the first section of the mould can be poured in one piece, since the taper from che large top to the smaller base of the model will ensure that a cast piece releases easily from the . ( = mould. Andy will sometimes, if the model © ) =P . has two vertical sides, pour two mould 3 # olay . been sections for che walls. Once this or these £ wacd or exasenita patra have set, soap or a spray acrylic is applied to any plaster surfaces thar will be in contact with section B of che mould when it is poured. He avoids using Vaseline since it may permanently interfere with water ; transfer inte che mould, is : The cwe pieces completed ac this srage may be used to cast an open, flat bottomed bowl, bur to allow the mould to be used for a Cronus eection af mauld oem lidded form as well, Andy will seack a piece OU Ed asd it xckenbicd: ages " of thicker plywood or masonite (1/2" to | rf fame set, of. 3 sie re /4") on Cop af the solid model before me alates ip cab pouring section C (see illustration 5), This thicker pattem is the same shape as the one it sits on, but is amaller to allow a sill to be formed where the flamge meets the pot walls,