How to Make a Slumping Mold
Glass slump molds are useful for turning fused glass into useful objects such as plates, bowls and platters. This tutorial will explain how to take a piece of unpainted ceramic bisque purchased from a ceramic supplies shop and turn it into a fused glass slumping mold.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Select bisque.
Select the bisque ware you want to turn into a slumping mold. In this case, we have selected a ceramic bisque plate.
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2
Select glass and tile bit
Select a glass and tile drill bits. We often use tile drill bits made by Black & Decker.
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3
Insert bit into drill press.
Insert the tile drill bit into the chuck of your drill. Although any drill can be used, a drill press or a bench drill press is particularly well suited for drilling bisque.
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4
Drill the bisque to create slumping mold.
Add water as a lubricant when drilling. The water will reduce friction and prevent the bisque from cracking and breaking when being drilled. Drill slowly. Lift the bit from time to time to allow the water to continue to coat and lubricate as you drill. Continue to drill until there is a hole through the bisque ware.
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5
Repeat to add additional holes. The number of holes needed in the slumping mold will depend on the size and shape of the mold.
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6
Coat slumping mold with kiln wash.
Once you have drilled the holes, coat the slumping mold with several layers of kiln wash before using. Be sure the holes are well coated with the kiln wash.
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Tips & Warnings
Ceramic bisque and ceramic molds can be purchased where ever ceramic supplies are sold. Hand painted ceramics shops are also good sources for bisque ware.
Wear eye protection when drilling bisque.
