Post #46939 by Saint-Thomas on Fri, Aug 8, 2003 3:07 PM

MonkeyMan-

It can be cheaper than you think. If you trust your carving skills, you can use anything to make a model. Clay is easiest. Wax would also work well. Hell, even wood, but if you're going to turn wood, you may as well get a potter's wheel.

Keep in mind that it doesn't necessarily need to be round....

Get a book on moldmaking or take a class.
Check out Ebay for used kilns, or find your local community art center and have them fire for you. If you get a kiln: it is extremely important to have it professionally installed, and you must learn how to use it. Some of these babies pull 70 amps and that's just the large size hobby ones.

Mold making is simple if you are careful with your measuements and are patient.
Good luck. Anyone feel free to ask me questions.