Question

Cherri · #1 2012-05-23, 5:40pm

I did a search but came up with zero, unless of course I did the search wrong.

I would like to know if it is possible to make a bead press using either ceramic (fired to bisque) or plaster to do simple press mold?

I can't really afford to buy a press right now and I am looking for a dog bone shape.

Thank you all in advance.
Cher

tilegoddess · #2 2012-05-23, 6:00pm

Hi Cher

I would think you could make a ceramic press provided you high-fire/mid-fire it and use something similar to a porcelain... a clay with extra fine particulates. The higher the fire the less porosity, the less porosity the less likely glass will stick to it. Coleman 550 (?) is a mid-fire porcelain that is pretty good about not warping or shrinking too much. You could always experiment with that.

As for plaster... or at least silica plaster (??) I know you can make molds for casting but I think sometimes the surface flakes away or leaves a texture on your glass unless you go back and flame polish it... I haven't cast glass for a few years so I may be out of the loop for new products and techniques available to you... hopefully more LE members will chime in with ideas for you

Good luck!!

Eileen · #3 2012-05-23, 6:05pm

Somewhere I read that if you make ceramic molds, soak them in water before using so that the steam can help them release. I made a few texture pieces, but I never remember to get them out & try them. (I just bisque fired so they would absorb the water)

Cherri · #4 2012-05-23, 6:45pm

Thank you. I have access to mid-range clay. So maybe give both a try.
Thank you very much for the reply.
Cher

Elizabeth Beads · #5 2012-05-23, 6:51pm

Yes. I've seen Michael Barley use a ceramic press he made. I think he used a seashell to make the impression before firing the clay.

Ravenesque · #6 2012-05-26, 12:32am

I tried looking this up too, I've never made anything with ceramics so even if I did find info I would more than likely be confused

Ali Oops · #7 2012-05-26, 5:03am

Michael Barley demo'd using a ceramic press the shape of a leaf for our lampworker's group. (He used to be a potter in his former life)

junko · #8 2012-05-26, 7:06am

Oooh, this is great information! I would have thought thermal shock would crack the clay. I'll have to try this!

Eileen · #9 2012-05-26, 7:28am

I just found this (around post 5)
http://lampworketc.com/forums/showth...ld#post3672910

Mitosis Glass · #10 2012-05-26, 8:05am

Interesting info!

Eileen · #11 2012-05-27, 7:02pm

OK, I heated the tip of a rod and pressed it to the pottery texture plate I'd made to experiment about the process. It worked, although it wasn't anything large or complex. No problems at all. I had the bisque clay (it was a high fire clay, cone 6 or higher) and I'd soaked it in water as I'd heard to do. It came away fine, & you could see the spot on the clay where the water was evaporated so if I'd wanted to do it again I might have needed to spritz it with water first I guess.

At some point I'll try a larger test. Sorry the camera focused on the wrinkles in my thumb and the clay and not the glass.

Cherri · #12 2012-05-27, 9:10pm

That is neat Eileen.

Will have to give it a go..

Cher

Eileen · #13 2012-05-27, 9:14pm

Fired to around 05 I think (at the studio, no my kiln, but they do the bisque and the low fire glazes together I believe). It looks grey because it's wet.

Curly Irish Girl · #14 2012-05-27, 9:34pm

I heard somebody talk about making presses...think it was Michael Barley and the final comment was to make multiple as it takes a. It to cool them down......

Dragonharper · #15 2012-05-28, 3:40am

Why not place the press/mold in a tray with a little water in the bottom, that way it would stay wet/re-wet automatically.

Eileen · #16 2012-05-28, 6:05am

Roy, I did have mine in a little dish with water, took it out to use it (dish was plastic & I didn't want it that near my torch) then just got some water on my finger & dripped it back on to see if it would absorb back & it did.

Dragonharper · #17 2012-05-28, 12:05pm

Plastic and hot glass don't exactly mix, you are right.

Eileen · #18 2012-05-28, 12:40pm

Smells bad when they do mix too!

patienthand · #19 2012-05-28, 5:04pm

I have made simple little blow molds from plaster of paris before, but... I dont think they would hold up to heavy useage. I was doing a neon project and needed some fruit shapes etc and made them using childrens plastic food toys to cast the plaster around. They were 2 part molds, and making them isnt hard, but has quite a few steps to it and you have to be careful that there are no undercuts etc. I doubt they would hold up as a bead roller etc etc or a press mold for long.

chrissij · #20 2012-05-28, 5:11pm

In the interim...

http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/sh...98&postcount=2

Cherri · #21 2012-05-29, 8:31am

Way cool.. Thanks
I appreciate the tutorial and the vid.

Thanks...
No time to play today