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Casting from an original carving

42K views 158 replies 48 participants last post by  gagewestern 
#1 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
 

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#2 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
Yes, sounds very interesting. Thanks Jordan.
 

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#3 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
I Will be watching.

Thanks!
 

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#4 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
Jordan, It sounds like a woundrous and curious adventure, I will be looking forward to it!
 

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#5 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
I will be following along.
 

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#6 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
I'm not new but count me in.
 

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#7 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
Yes, Jordan, we'd love to come along on your journey (and learn a bunch along the way). Thanks for your willingness to share your expertise.

L/W
 

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#8 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
Count me in as well Jordon…..... this will be very interesting!!!!!
 

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#9 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
Jordan,

A question for you: Is your molding and casting process of the roof bear still available somewhere?

L/W
 

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#10 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
Lights!

Camera!

Action!

Thank you!
 

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#11 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
Yes, indeed,... I'm watching :)
 

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#12 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
Yes-sir-ree!!!! Count me in too! Thank you for offering to do this Jordan! :)

Sheila
 

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#13 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
Absolutely love to follow along, totally interested.
 

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#14 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
Okay then, I think that's good enough for me. I'll be posting first pictures shortly and Lightweightlady, I have no clue where it is - I have since changed computers and have somehow misplaced it.
 

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#15 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
Would love to see the process.
 

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#16 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
Yes
 

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#17 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
I'll be watching!!
Thanks!
 

Attachments

#18 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
I am in and still have a lot to learn .

Kiefer
 

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#19 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
I saw your #2 before this one, so I'll just wait for the #3
 

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#20 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
Yes please
 

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#21 ·
Would anyone like to follow along?

Years ago I showed you the molding and casting process of a roof bear.

Many newbies have since joined and I am wondering if anyone would like to follow the molding and casting process of my carved gourd from it's present to the bronze foundry?

If not, that's okay but it has started now so I just thought I'd ask for some of you who wrote to me saying you were entering the same world of casting from your originals.

This series will also be on my Facebook page for any of my FB friends.

Watercraft Art Artifact Serveware Pottery


Artifact Art Wood Bag Pottery
I'm in the loop late, but will be very interested to follow along the process. Thanks, Ron
 

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#22 ·
Rubber mold inside the vessel

Here is the carved gourd with 3 coats of rubber on the inside - I will need 4 but it can be turned upside down to drizzle rather than having to smooth it with my hand like the first 3 - and let me tell ya, I was up to my elbows in rubber - so much so that I actually had to shave my arm to get the silicone balls off the hair!

Each coat has to be a different colour so you know you've covered all areas. It is a brush on rubber however it still remains kind of soft and floppy until it sets up in about 30 minutes so I must keep turning the gourd. It should be brushed on in thinner coats than I use however I'm impatient and it's too hard to get a brush inside of this.

And by the way - there were holes right through the top tabs? I had to fill those with putty otherwise the mold would not come off later. However, silicone is very forgiving so other than a thin clear coat of Krylon, I did not prepare my gourd with anything prior to applying the rubber. Neither do I when I take a casting from wood.

At this point I have used about 8 cups of rubber and have wasted about 1 cup of that on drippage and leftovers after pot life.

Human body Wood Gesture Flooring Art


After the rubber dries (in about an hour in a warm temp room) utensils are easy to clean and peel and ready for use.

Hood Eyewear Flooring Human leg Bag


I do not promote particular companies however I have favourable results with Smooth-On products.
 

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#23 ·
Rubber mold inside the vessel

Here is the carved gourd with 3 coats of rubber on the inside - I will need 4 but it can be turned upside down to drizzle rather than having to smooth it with my hand like the first 3 - and let me tell ya, I was up to my elbows in rubber - so much so that I actually had to shave my arm to get the silicone balls off the hair!

Each coat has to be a different colour so you know you've covered all areas. It is a brush on rubber however it still remains kind of soft and floppy until it sets up in about 30 minutes so I must keep turning the gourd. It should be brushed on in thinner coats than I use however I'm impatient and it's too hard to get a brush inside of this.

And by the way - there were holes right through the top tabs? I had to fill those with putty otherwise the mold would not come off later. However, silicone is very forgiving so other than a thin clear coat of Krylon, I did not prepare my gourd with anything prior to applying the rubber. Neither do I when I take a casting from wood.

At this point I have used about 8 cups of rubber and have wasted about 1 cup of that on drippage and leftovers after pot life.

Human body Wood Gesture Flooring Art


After the rubber dries (in about an hour in a warm temp room) utensils are easy to clean and peel and ready for use.

Hood Eyewear Flooring Human leg Bag


I do not promote particular companies however I have favourable results with Smooth-On products.
Very interesting.
Off to google smooth-on.
 

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#37 ·
Rubber mold outside the vessel

This is the FIRST coat of 4 rubbers coat of the outside of the gourd. The first coat must be thin so you can brush into all of the crevices and undercuts.

Periodically a bubble will appear and you must pop it with a pin as that will indicate that the area under the bubble has not received any rubber.

If you notice, I have put a putty border around the bottom as the rubber that drops into the bottom area will act as a type of flange when I pour my casting material from the bottom - but more about that later.

I will also not be cutting the rubber until everything is complete which is why I'm not concerned with easily removal at this time.

Creative arts Pottery Serveware Art Sculpture
 

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#38 ·
Rubber mold outside the vessel

This is the FIRST coat of 4 rubbers coat of the outside of the gourd. The first coat must be thin so you can brush into all of the crevices and undercuts.

Periodically a bubble will appear and you must pop it with a pin as that will indicate that the area under the bubble has not received any rubber.

If you notice, I have put a putty border around the bottom as the rubber that drops into the bottom area will act as a type of flange when I pour my casting material from the bottom - but more about that later.

I will also not be cutting the rubber until everything is complete which is why I'm not concerned with easily removal at this time.

Creative arts Pottery Serveware Art Sculpture
you are truly an inspiration to us all jordan
showing us how to go
where we have never been before

great work
as usual

thanks !
 

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#53 ·
Creating the Mother Mold - part 1(brainstrain for you)

Wow, I never would've thought you guys were so interested and some of you are biting at the bullet to see the progress.

Okay then, for those of you NOT familiar with molding, here's something for you to really think about until you see exactly how it happens on tomorrow's blog.

Here is the quandry I faced prior to doing this and because it is a vessel, it is not a typical how-to video you might catch on Youtube.

Firstly, the entire inside and outside texture is what I'm aiming for.

Secondly, the inside of the gourd is wider than the hole at the top and there is no hole at the bottom.

Thirdly, it's fine and dandy to pull a flimsy rubber off of the original, but how do you keep the rubber, both inside and out, completely stable while you pour another liquid substance into it…over and over again with ease?
 
#54 ·
That's the part I can't wait to see.

Even for much smaller object I get some deformation.

I never got 3/8 in rubber thickness. When I apply my 5 coats of ruber I get about 1/8. Different material for sure.

Thanks for taking the time and doing that series.
 
#70 ·
Constructing a mother mold - Part 1a

Today I am isolating a section for the mother mold - also called master mold but what a mother of a job it is!!!!

Imagine if I just pulled the rubber from the piece now, how would I keep it stable enough to pour something into? Thus the mother mold. (Please note: this is my method and by supplying this information, I do not wish to infringe upon styles used by others.)

What you must first remember is that it is made of a heavy non flexible material - I use plastic some use plaster. It will not come off if you apply it around corners so you must divide your sections for easy removal. Here I'm using putty which is not easily stuck to silicone but eventually you can tool it to stay.

I make the putty wall slightly higher to act as a flange to attach any other plastic sections and I will brush the plastic up as high as necessary for clamps or screws or whatever you will use to later adjoin the plastic pieces..

You must apply some type of mold release the the abutments of the plastic as well as the table or you will never get it off - ever!!!

This is the easy part, just wait til the inside!!!

I will add to this blog on this page as the day progresses so keep coming back to check for new pictures.

Clay Creative arts Artifact Pottery Art


90 minutes later, the plastic paste is dry and I can remove the putty and the next application will butt up against the hardened plastic - remember the mold release!!!!!

Wood Clay Sculpture Art Artifact


Left side is plastic, right side is still the putty - hard to tell with the similar color

Bag Orange Bean bag Plastic bag Creative arts
 

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#71 ·
Constructing a mother mold - Part 1a

Today I am isolating a section for the mother mold - also called master mold but what a mother of a job it is!!!!

Imagine if I just pulled the rubber from the piece now, how would I keep it stable enough to pour something into? Thus the mother mold. (Please note: this is my method and by supplying this information, I do not wish to infringe upon styles used by others.)

What you must first remember is that it is made of a heavy non flexible material - I use plastic some use plaster. It will not come off if you apply it around corners so you must divide your sections for easy removal. Here I'm using putty which is not easily stuck to silicone but eventually you can tool it to stay.

I make the putty wall slightly higher to act as a flange to attach any other plastic sections and I will brush the plastic up as high as necessary for clamps or screws or whatever you will use to later adjoin the plastic pieces..

You must apply some type of mold release the the abutments of the plastic as well as the table or you will never get it off - ever!!!

This is the easy part, just wait til the inside!!!

I will add to this blog on this page as the day progresses so keep coming back to check for new pictures.

Clay Creative arts Artifact Pottery Art


90 minutes later, the plastic paste is dry and I can remove the putty and the next application will butt up against the hardened plastic - remember the mold release!!!!!

Wood Clay Sculpture Art Artifact


Left side is plastic, right side is still the putty - hard to tell with the similar color

Bag Orange Bean bag Plastic bag Creative arts
looking good
 

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#82 ·
Constructing the mother mold part 1b

Okay, now you've seen the front of the gourd with the plastic mother mold on it. The back now looks the same and butts up to the flange. So if I wrapped a belt around it, nothing would move out of alignment. It follows every bump and curve of the outside rubber so I know where to put it back on each time.

Wood Clay Sculpture Art Artifact


But what about the inside? If I removed the rubber, it would just flop around and I don't want it to move out of alignment either.

I will also add to this page as it progresses but the true frame will probably not be able to be photographed until it has all been dismantled.

I will tell you this much though
- I have constructed three strips of plastic paste on the inside from bottom to top.
- They are all just wide enough to be removed through the opening at the top.
- In order to clamp them prior to pouring my casting, I had to make a key shape at the very bottom with my putty first so that I had a 3 way flange to attach a small hand clamp.

This is the first of the inside strips, it goes all the way to the bottom and ends with a flange. It is adjoined to the upper area.

This is a messy, sticky process and because my arm was only able to squeeze down the hole for the additional strips, I devised a system where I'd trowel the paste onto a suitbale thickness of wax paper, let it dry until it was almost dry but still pliable dropped it down the hole while holding the top part then gently smoothed it to the sides.

Jaw Ingredient Cuisine Dish Gas


It still may not be clear but when all pieces are off and the rubber and mother mold have been removed, I will put together the frame prior to pouring and you will be able to see what I've done.
 

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#83 ·
Constructing the mother mold part 1b

Okay, now you've seen the front of the gourd with the plastic mother mold on it. The back now looks the same and butts up to the flange. So if I wrapped a belt around it, nothing would move out of alignment. It follows every bump and curve of the outside rubber so I know where to put it back on each time.

Wood Clay Sculpture Art Artifact


But what about the inside? If I removed the rubber, it would just flop around and I don't want it to move out of alignment either.

I will also add to this page as it progresses but the true frame will probably not be able to be photographed until it has all been dismantled.

I will tell you this much though
- I have constructed three strips of plastic paste on the inside from bottom to top.
- They are all just wide enough to be removed through the opening at the top.
- In order to clamp them prior to pouring my casting, I had to make a key shape at the very bottom with my putty first so that I had a 3 way flange to attach a small hand clamp.

This is the first of the inside strips, it goes all the way to the bottom and ends with a flange. It is adjoined to the upper area.

This is a messy, sticky process and because my arm was only able to squeeze down the hole for the additional strips, I devised a system where I'd trowel the paste onto a suitbale thickness of wax paper, let it dry until it was almost dry but still pliable dropped it down the hole while holding the top part then gently smoothed it to the sides.

Jaw Ingredient Cuisine Dish Gas


It still may not be clear but when all pieces are off and the rubber and mother mold have been removed, I will put together the frame prior to pouring and you will be able to see what I've done.
mama mia mold !
 

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