Post #564291 by MauiTiki on Tue, Nov 9, 2010 10:43 AM

On 2010-11-08 21:25, MadDogMike wrote:

Rob, sorry I missed your reply and question

The mold you are using for slip would probably also work as a press mold too. You just stuff the mold full of clay and use a straight edge of some sort to scrape off the excess clay. It shrinks as it dries too and the molded piece pops out.

If clay were available, it would probably be a little cheaper than slip but otherwise there is very little difference. I would imagine that the slip shrinks a little more just because it has a higher water content

Again, it probably doesn't make much difference at 1/4 inch thick, but you could probably dump the center out of the wet clay after about 10 or 15 minutes. It would make the back concave and a little little lighter. The advantage of a slip casting mold is that the slip forms a skin starting on the outside (plaster contact area) and the inside can be poured out. It doesn't have much bearing in this application but it's the MAGIC in mug making because you end up with even thickness walls on your mug. Have fun!

Thanks Mike, I have discovered I can get clay at the local community college. I have some "hand-me-down" clay that I use when making my tiki mug molds, but it's pretty hard and dirty from being used over and over. I should pick some up and give the press mold thing a try. I'll probably need to create a few new designs.

I'm hoping to get some of my pendants up for sale on my website soon.

Aloha, Rob