how to make bowls?
 

I've been trying to make hollow miniature bowls--less than 1" across--but not having much success.

The problem is how to hold it; if I punty the bottom, it never sits flat. Punty the rim, and it stays wonky.

I've even tried starting with the contents of the bowl, then building the bowl around it. I can punty to the contents, but then they're funky.

Any suggestions? For shaping, I'm using a brass dopping set, with cavities like a marble mold and...um...ball-tipped brass pushing things. (I bet there's another name for them, like dopping stamps or something)

You mean a dapping block and dapping punch :lol:

Yeah, what David said.
:-)
thanks.

I've wondered this myself but never thought of a way so I have never tried it. Best I can say is the punty to the bottom then a light punty to the side burn off the bottom.......

Would a boro punty leave the bottom smoother?

Any chance you can use the hot fingers that hold via expansion vs contraction, hold from the inside lip? Or punty then reposition the punty when your shape is almost perfect with something like a stringer.

Can you punty the side initially and then re-position the punty to the bottom inside rather than the outer base?

Good luck!

Not sure what the contents of your bowl may be, but have you considered slumping them in the kiln to create them? Perhaps just find (or make) a small mold and slump them.

Perhaps something along the lines of a half round vessel mandrel would be easier than trying to juggle the thing. Could you make one?

Thanks for all the suggestions. It helps to know nobody else has really solved this either.

I made a half-round mandrel from boro, but it didn't work and I don't remember why; maybe I should try it again. I also tried using the globular dapping punch, but the handle is short and it got too hot.

Slumping would work really well, but I have a dirty little secret; no kiln. [Please, no dire warnings, folks, I don't sell my work.]

Also no hot fingers, interior or exterior.

I may have to try the multiple punty approach again. Or use Fimo. But I hate Fimo...

Can you punty to the bottm, and chop. Off the rod punty and melt it into a pedestal.