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Forms, Molds, Etc


maya

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I have a slab roller and so far, exclusively hand build platters of various sizes.  I use all kinds of things to support my slabs as they dry, but I've never discovered a foolproof consistent method of supporting my slabs in a form pleasing to my eye.

 

I would love to find a way to form a catenary---- a hammock shape, if you will.  One potter online uses a type of fiberglass-like material, but it's no longer made.  I bought a long wooden metate but it only works on small pieces.

 

Does anyone have any ideas or material they use for this shape? Or material found that can make a variety of unique shapes and will support the weight of a wet slab?

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Plaster and bisque molds are great for slab work. Even dry clay works great for temporary forms. For bisque molds, work solid and hollow out the form. A bit of extra thickness in the mold form allows for better release. You could also build forms from other materials like wood, plastic, anything, and cast in plaster.

 

For a hammock type shape, I would throw a form on the wheel and slice it in half to start..

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Thank you for the link............ it looks like you could make a variety of molds using the plaster over styrofoam method, but I'm not sure I have the skill to do that.

 

The easiest thing I've seen is a plastic / fiberglass form made by Randy Johnston----- he cut a dart in the material and rested it on a base.  It's thin enough to cut and shape, yet strong enough to hold a wet slab.

 

 

He doesn't think it's made anymore, but I"m picturing plastic similar to that used for pet cones.  With a material like that you could easily make custom shapes.

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maya, check out plastic companies.  the people who manufacture the stuff.  bet you can find it.  call them up and ask for a distributor.  also, try the cheap stores like Dollar Tree if it is that far out west.  they have very stiff plastic placemats.  might not be the right size but i bet the plastic is correct. 

 

a substitute might be vinyl flooring.  the problem with it is that you will have to use the back side because they always put some kind of texture on the wear surface that could interfere with your own texture.  the good thing is that you will have to use the back side and it is more porous so you do not have to flip the piece.  unless you make it extremely thick like the one shown.

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Isn't it possible to use heavy tar paper to make a form? With that you might be able to adapt the technique you like and make it work. I've never done it but it's something to check out.

 

I have begun using my own bisque slump and hump molds and thats the way I would go. Essentially I build the piece I want but use thicker clay so it's stronger and I can roll texture and pattern into the wet clay when I use the mold and not worry about cracking. Take extra time to get it exactly the way you want since your pieces will pick up the details from the mold. You can use coils, the wheel or a slab roller to make them. I Dry it really slowly and dry it for longer than I think it needs. I bisque fire to cone 04. I date each mold I make so I can see how long they last, I haven't been doing this long enough to have any kind of track record on longevity. Kari Radasch and Chandra Debuse both use bisque molds in a variety of ways so I would start out looking up their techniques.

 

T

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