The following useful guide to ceramic mold making is being reprinted with the permission of its author, Anthony D. Bulone, a renowned sculptor, designer, model maker and master mold maker for more than 35 years. Anthony of Solvang, as he is known, has excelled in most areas of the plastic and ceramic fields. His most notable accomplishments are the designing, sculpting and developing the model of the original Barbie Doll for Mattel 25 years ago and designing the first all plastic hobby kits for Revell, Inc. 30 years ago. A glossary and instructions for making casting boards follow.
Excerpt: Mixing Instructions
Storage: Store plaster/gypsum in a warm, dry area, raised from the floor to avoid moisture absorption. The shelf life of all plaster/gypsum is limited but that life can be extended by storing in air-tight plastic containers.
Excerpt: There are many misconceptions about slip casting. Robert is self taught in the process, which he pursued when a back injury prevented him from throwing for several years.
Understanding the magic of deflocculation and how to measure specific gravity and viscosity, and how to interpret the results of these tests to adjust the slip, these are the key to controlling a casting process.
The classic white ball clay talc casting and modelling recipe has been used for many years. It is a dream to use as long as you are aware of the problems and risks.
Excerpt: So I recently got interested in slip casting ceramics. I was lucky someone gave me 35 plaster molds for free. After playing with them a little and getting some modest results, I have learned that one crucial step for good slip casting is to have high quality slip. If the slip good, then making a cast will be much easier. However, using the purchased slip in a plastic bag inside a cardboard box leaves a lot to be desired.
