Waste Mold

A one use mold.  It can be simple and quick to construct but it may be heavy and cumbersome to use.  It gets you where you want to go quickly with no frills.  It’s the black and white of the mold world.

Open Back Mold

Depending on the material it is made from this mold may be used once or several times.  It lies on the floor or in a supportive structure while it’s wide open back allows casting materials to flow into it freely.

Flat Back Mold

Most commonly found for industrial use.  An open face mold makes the front-piece and is backed by a flat piece of sand or metal.  Both are held together with pins.  Casting materials are poured into the mold through a cup.

Lost Wax Investment Mold

The name is exotic but this is a waste mold’s relative.  The difference lies in (a) The method used to remove a pattern and (b) in the mold’s capacity to withstand heat.

Multi-Piece Mold

A mold that can be used for multiple castings.  Molds may range from two pieces to several depending on the undercuts found on the positive pattern.  Molds may be fragile and meant for a limited series of castings or strong, even made of metal, and intended to last for several years.

I used to poor or press my casting materials into a mold.  The molds were easily enough to part with a hammer or pried apart with a screwdriver.  The pattern popped out and then I worked it further to finish. 

The mold had to be well made but it was a quick means to an end.  Each was simply designed because loading material into each was never a problem.

Now my molds have changed. 

Much like a therapy session I have to think of how I will get into the mold, use materials, and get out again safely.  The children or casting materials bring the unpredictability that makes the process exhilarating.   Structure stays and can be named.  

But the experience is always unique.