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WI'll using cooking sprays like PAM on nonporous molds as a release agent contaminate clay for reclaiming?

I would appreciate some links to technical information or videos showing the process of making two-piece molds. I have done many regular molds; so I am not unfamiliar with the process. To be more specific; making large two piece press molds.........very large. like 40" x 30" large. Building my own ram press is not an issue either. Nerd

I have a question that I hope someone will be able to answer. As a newbie in the world of "ceramic molds" I came across some cartoon characters ceramic molds such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Pinnochio to name a few. Although I'm not ready to learn how to use them yet, what is the best way to store them. I should mentioned that the molds I have have two pieces. I have read conflicting information that the molds should be stored upright with the pouring hold faced down to laying the ceramic mold flat (on the flat side of the mold) with the seam line (I'm assuming this is where each side of the mold meets) should be parallel and not stored this way. Thank you in advance.

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Greetings all, I have been making mugs with tiki faces carved in them. I have made molds that have been working so I can reproduce them fairly quickly. The problem is that the molds chip very easily, leaving holes in the mold which then create unwanted that then have to be smoothed out after the pouring and drying. My question is: Is one plaster better or more durable than the others? I have been using pottery plaster #1. However, at my ceramics supply company that I order from I see that they have a number of different types of plaster: Plaster, Hydrocal White with 4500psi compression strength Ceramical Gypsum Cement with 6500psi compressions trength Puritan Pottery Plaster with 2400psi Compression Strength Pottery plaster #1 has a 2000psi compression strength. I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that the higher the compression strenght, the harder the plaster. If someone could confrim this, that would be great Second question: Who has used a "harder" plaster for mold making and what are the disadvantages or advantages you have found? Still kind of new to the mold making and production process and trying to avoid the years of trial and error, so any information would help a bunch. Thanks, Brian