search  current discussion  categories  techniques - moldmaking 

mold making question

updated sun 4 may 03

 

claybair on sun 9 feb 03


I was roped into making some mugs.
My daughter told a friend that I am a potter and
could make a few for her.
I dislike making mugs. In order to make it
exciting and distinctly mine I spent
hours designing and carving them.
In order to recoup some of my time
I decided to slip cast them.
I haven't made molds so need a bit of help.
The mugs are bisqued. I'll be using plaster
for the mold.

My question is can I use Murphy's soap as a release on
a bisqued piece? If not, what should I use?

Thanks,

Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com

Snail Scott on sun 9 feb 03


At 09:50 AM 2/9/03 -0800, you wrote:
>My question is can I use Murphy's soap as a release on
>a bisqued piece?


Yes. Apply liberally with a brush, let it soak
in a while, them recoat. Repeat until it quits
soaking in, than wipe off any excess remaining
on the surface. You can also use the Murphy's
as a release between the plaster sections.

-Snail

WHC228@AOL.COM on mon 10 feb 03


Mold release. Murphys Oils Soap is OK, however it is best to fill the pores
in the bisk piece. Use a little spray paint to cover the piece first. Most of
the time I use a clear enamel. You shouldn't lose any detail if you don't
overdo it.
Bill Campbell

John Rodgers on tue 11 feb 03


Gayle, if you can get your hands on a copy of Robert Frith's book
"Moldmaking for Ceramics" it will all your questions. It's the
definitive work on Moldmaking and might even open a whole new world to
you. I have a first edition in hardback and it has been my moldmaking
bible. Axner has carried the most recent printing in paperback. Get a
copy. Well worth the price.

John Rodgers
Birmingham, AL

claybair wrote:
> I was roped into making some mugs.
> My daughter told a friend that I am a potter and
> could make a few for her.
> I dislike making mugs. In order to make it
> exciting and distinctly mine I spent
> hours designing and carving them.
> In order to recoup some of my time
> I decided to slip cast them.
> I haven't made molds so need a bit of help.
> The mugs are bisqued. I'll be using plaster
> for the mold.
>
> My question is can I use Murphy's soap as a release on
> a bisqued piece? If not, what should I use?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Gayle Bair
> Bainbridge Island, WA
> http://claybair.com
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
>

Eleanora Eden on fri 2 may 03


Hi Gayle,

I just found this request with the responses you got which may or may not
have answered your question. Yes you can do that. Did you proceed with
your project? On my recent moldmaking spree I did my first mold from a
bisc which was a mug BTW, I always try to use wet clay which is
easier. Worked great.

Eleanora

>The mugs are bisqued. I'll be using plaster
>for the mold.
>
>My question is can I use Murphy's soap as a release on
>a bisqued piece? If not, what should I use?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Gayle Bair
>Bainbridge Island, WA
>http://claybair.com
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.

Eleanora Eden 802 869-2003
Paradise Hill Road eeden@vermontel.net
Bellows Falls, VT 05101 www.eleanoraeden.com