Things You'll Need:
- Two (2) box halves.
- Molding sand
- Talcum powder
- Casting piece
- Block of wood
- Piece of glass or wood
- Small paintbrush
- Sharp knife
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Step 1
Start with a pair of identical frames (boxes) and cut an opening into the narrow ends of both to form an opening. This opening is used to fill the finished form with the material you have chosen for your finished piece. Find a way to be able to attach the two halves together if they are not already made for casting.
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Step 2
Moisten molding sand and knead until very compacted. If you can squeeze the sand into a ball and it stays; it is properly prepared.
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Step 3
Prepare both molds by dusting the insides with talcum powder. This allows the sand mold to be removed from the frames.
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Step 4
Prepare the casting piece with talcum powder. This allows the casting piece to be removed without damaging the mold.
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Step 5
Pour sand into both frames allowing enough room for the casting piece to stick out halfway above the top of each frame.
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Step 6
Place the casting piece into one of the frames and add more sand around it. Press very firmly to compact the sand and fill in any voids. Hold the casting piece in place while forcing the sand around it. You can use wood block to give you added pressure. The tighter the sand - the better the mold.
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Step 7
Be sure to have a completely flat sand surface so when the two halves are joined together there is no gap.
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Step 8
Carve a narrow opening from the piece to the top of the frame where the opening was cut. This will allow you to pour in the casting materials into the frames. Start the carving from the casing piece and head towards the opening at the top of the frame. When finished use a fine brush with water to re-strengthen this carved area. This will ensure you get no residual sand seeping into the casting piece.
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Step 9
Dust the top of the finished sand and casting piece in both halves of the mold. This will allow for easy separation of both halves and the casting piece.
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Step 10
Place a piece of glass or wood over the piece that doesn’t have the casting piece and turn it over. Remove the glass as you line it up over the casing piece side and press firmly into place.
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Step 11
Place the mold in an oven and allow to dry slowly. If it dries too fast it will crack. You can check to see if there is any remaining moisture by holding a piece of glass near the pouring opening.
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Step 12
Once completely dried separate both halves and remove the casting piece with a tweezers so you don’t disturb the mold.
