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Making Fusing Mold

Why not learn making fusing mold? You can make molds with materials like the Kaiser Lee Board, using a mix (there are numerous types), and drilling holes in pottery clay. The advantage of making fusing molds is you can make any desired shape or object. You can slump any type of glass, yes even dichroic, into these vessels.

These need to have the ability to withstand repeated firings of up to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit, can be easily formed or cast, surface should be easily released from glass on its own or with a coating, and have a small hole or two in the bottom to allow air that is trapped to escape as the hot molten glass slumps.

Kaiser Lee Board

Making fusing mold out of this product you will need to purchase it from Kaiser Lee . For further information on Kaiser Lee Boards, click here.

making fusing mold

Mold Mix

The most popular of these mixes is the Master Mold Mix. Always wear some type of respirator when working with the mix. It is mixed 50% mix to 50% water.

Have your master mold ready and coated with a mold release. Once you have your ingredients mixed, pour into your master mold and vibrate out any trapped air. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes for this to set up. Remove you master mold.

making fusing mold



Allow the new mold to dry completely before putting it into the kiln. Place the mold into your kiln and crack the lid about ½ inch. Ramp it up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and soak or leave it at that temperature for about 1 hour. Now ramp it up slowly at about 400 degrees per hour. Soak the mold at 600 degrees Fahrenheit for about 2 hours. Close the lid and continue heating the mold to about 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cool slowly to prevent thermal shock. Be sure your finished piece has a couple of holes drilled into the bottom for air to escape during the slumping process.

If your glass is sticking in your mold, the kiln wash was too thin. Clay is very porous and needs to be coated several times. Be sure the kiln wash and clay are dry before you put it into your kiln.

Pottery Clay

Although with potter clay, you are not making fusing mold, it is a simple way to use different items for molds. Go to a pottery supply store and look at their bisque ware. There are many cups and bowls that you could use for slumping. Make sure that you drill holes in the bottom of the piece for air to escape during the slumping process. Make sure it is not too deep, or you might find it difficult to slump into. These can be used for slumping multiple times.

I hope these different methods of making fusing mold will help you when you just can't find a mold to meet you needs, or help you venture out and try to make these on your own. It is great to get just the mold you want and to try some fairly different concepts for which there are just no molds.




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