Mesa Arts Center
Investment
Glass Casting
Instructor:
Joshua Dopp
Thursday Nights 6-10 pm
home / 1st proj. / 2cd proj. / 3rd proj. / 4th proj. / 5th proj.
Class Overview
In this class, a variety of techniques will
be demonstrated and discussed. Glass casting encompasses a wide variety
of skills.
Student interest will direct much of the lessons and class projects. A large
part of this class is concerned with mold making. To really benefit from
this class, I will ask you to work on your models outside of class time
as much as
possible. This will allow us more time in class to get through the time consuming
process of mold making. We will look at various methods for filling the molds
with glass. Detailed discussion and review of firing schedules will be taught
along with explanation of different types of glass and their various attributes.
We will start with simple
open-faced molds made from oil-based clay models. We will collaborate with
the hot shop for a sand casting demo and, time permitting
we will do some mold blowing. Towards the end of the session, I will introduce
the lost wax method. Projects/topics covered
in this course:
- Model making
- Open face molds
- Complex mold making
- Types of glass
- Sand-casting
- Plaster and rubber molds for wax casting
- Lost wax
- Cold working
1st class September 13, 2007 2-3 hour class
Introductory session: description of glass casting techniques with slides
and history of glass casting. Student introductions and class schedule overview.
Discussion of casting project. Open face investment mold. Glass casting theory.
Model making material overview. Plasticine clay
2cd class September 20, 2007 3-4 hour class
Preview of models. Mold making and loading of kiln.
Further discussion, casting concerns: various types of model making materials,
alternative investment materials, glass types appropriate for kiln casting.
Supplies Needed:
Model making materials and tools
By the nature that not everyone works in the same way or is interested in making
the same thing, various materials and tools can be used to achieve the desired
results. That being said, there are a few things, which will be helpful. Go
to any art supply store in town and look at their clay and tools
Clay – you may want
more.
Carving tools – endless choices, consider making your own, a few
different-sized ribbon tools, wire for cutting
2 Buckets – small 1 gallon ones to start with
We will be using 50% Molding plaster and 50% Silica flour for our investment
mold material. I will ask you to pay for this but MAC will purchase it and
have it ready for us to use.
Glass – this can
be expensive depending on the size of model and type of glass people want
to use. Certain lead based casting glass
can
be as much
as $ 7 a pound. We will discuss the type of glass we want to use
weekly.
Cold working tools – MAC has some cold working tools, as do
I, which I will bring later. Respirator - Or comfort mask for the
dust.
You must
wear one of these!