Grog2020 Posted June 23, 2020 Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 I've seen a few you tube vids of bonsai pot makers in Japan using large plaster molds with smaller "inserts" for the feet, and a top ring mold for the rim. They hand build with slabs and coils, not slip casting. I have seen lots of hump/slump molds for sale but none with the detail parts for feet and lip. These molds in the vids had 4 pieces. That fit together. I hope ive described these well enough. You tube search for tokoname bonsai pot masters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted June 23, 2020 Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 There's a lot of ways to skin a cat, press molds are one of the ways. Did you have a specific question or concern? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grog2020 Posted June 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 Does anybody make press molds like that for sale. Or do I need to make my own? Id rather not, it seems challenging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CactusPots Posted June 23, 2020 Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 The only purpose of a mold (IMO) is mass production. Unless you want to produce a catalog sale item, the challenge of handbuilding is a viable option. Lots of skill sets to learn along that way as well. At least you don't have to store plaster molds that way. I've watched those videos also, and there are a lot of parts of the process that they don't show, especially the large pieces. I make planters just about every way they can be made (ceramic) and I'm challenged to the point of failure frequently, especially large pieces. Start small and have lots of plants to enjoy in your own pots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted June 23, 2020 Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 Moulds don’t have to be for mass production, just for anything that might be a bit more complicated that you want to produce more than a handful of times. They’re a tool. But yes, you’ll likely have to make your own for something as specific as bonsai pots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CactusPots Posted June 23, 2020 Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 Point being making molds, slip, hump, slump, press, each present their own set of problems. Before we get to the actual clay part of the problems. Especially the size that these videos show. It looks like a simpler way to make a big pot, but if you look at the details, it is not. Right, you can't buy molds like that. The molds these bonsai pot makers are using are works of art of themselves. Using them is a very special skill set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grog2020 Posted June 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 I have been handbuilding with slabs and coils. No moulds, just templates made of cardboard. The sizes and shapes im okay with. Its the rims and feet that i just cant get nice tight edges.. i would like to make multiples of the same piece. But i dont want to become an expert mould maker. I wanna move onto the clay. I'd like to turn out enough of these to experiment with raku finishing. And yes, I've got lots of plants for all the "happy accidents" along the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted June 23, 2020 Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 4 hours ago, Grog2020 said: I'd like to turn out enough of these to experiment with raku finishing. I don't know if it matters with bonsai, but Raku pots are still porous. And the copper flashing glazes could leach into the plants, which I'm sure wouldn't be good for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted June 23, 2020 Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 You can use things like these and these and put them as decorative rims and feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeU Posted June 24, 2020 Report Share Posted June 24, 2020 I used one of those molds-very much like the second one-when I was still throwing pots (I rarely throw anymore) and they were just great. Looked good and were quick & simple to affix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted June 24, 2020 Report Share Posted June 24, 2020 1 hour ago, LeeU said: I used one of those molds-very much like the second one-when I was still throwing pots (I rarely throw anymore) and they were just great. Looked good and were quick & simple to affix. I have the fancy feet ones and they do look great. Especially them feet on a bonsai pot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sorcery Posted June 24, 2020 Report Share Posted June 24, 2020 I think you can make a mold fairly simply. Found this after a little googling. https://japanesebonsaipots.net/2012/06/11/kamiya-ryuen-pots-and-process/ I think feet can be a good way to.... stand out. So having a special mold with your design can be wonderful. Sorce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CactusPots Posted June 24, 2020 Report Share Posted June 24, 2020 Of course you can always free hand build feet. You just need an awesome texture collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sorcery Posted June 27, 2020 Report Share Posted June 27, 2020 On 6/24/2020 at 10:09 AM, CactusPots said: Of course you can always free hand build feet. You just need an awesome texture collection. Is that available? Sorce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CactusPots Posted June 27, 2020 Report Share Posted June 27, 2020 Available as in for sale? I'd have to dig it out. I'll post a few more on Monday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sorcery Posted June 28, 2020 Report Share Posted June 28, 2020 Yeah for sale! I'd love to see more! But I am severely interested in this one. Sorce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted June 28, 2020 Report Share Posted June 28, 2020 @CactusPots and @Sorcery, just a friendly reminder that doing business on this forum goes against the Terms of Use. If you have pots for sale then by all means pm or email the info to each other but please refrain from posting the info on the forum. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.