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Reliefs
Shelled
Split
Sandwich
Contour
"French"
Slush Casts

Chapter 3: Mold Construction
Traditional Mold Making Methods

Sandwich Molds:

are used when the design is too complex for a split mold or to make several castings from a single mold. Planning and matrix set-up is crucial for multiple piece molds to work properly.
One advantage of our mold compounds is that they can be made not to stick to additional batches. This type of mold can then be made by first mixing enough to cover half the object.
Alignment notches are then cut, the top part of the matrix attached and the second half poured. When set, the mold is opened as shown, the object removed, the sandwich reassembled according to the alignment notches and the cast made through the pour spout. These can also be made in shelled versions.
AA life cast mold 4

Contour Molds

AA life cast mold 5are made the same as sandwich molds but, the seam is made to follow curved elements of the object to make mold halves that can be pulled straight off. Sometimes these are required by a two piece mold but, more frequently are needed in molds that require 3 or more pieces.

Split Molds

Layered or "French" Molds are made to reduce the amount of mold medium needed on large sculptures. They are typically shelled.
•, First the object is covered loosely with a layer of clay. No attempt is made to get the clay into the object's details.
•, This layer is "shimmed" for parting seams like a Sandwich Mold and covered with a shell of plaster.
•, The shell is removed along the shimmed, parting seams and the layer of clay is removed. The object is re-centered in the plaster shell, leaving a gap where the clay was.
•, This gap is then filled with the mold medium. When set the assembly is again removed and the cast object removed.
AA life cast mold 6
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ToP
1/18/03

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Contents of this web site (lifecast.net) and all life cast materials and other art and sculpture products or lifecast kit packaging, art techniques and sculpture instructions copyright © 1986-2002 by Mark S. Winn. All rights reserved. The terms BODY PARTS™, LifeCast™, ChildCast™, StudioPack™, ArtForm™, ArtCast™, Earthium™, Earthium(f/x)™, ShrinKast™, PolyART™, WaterTrap™, BlendBag™, Successful Creativity Guarantee™, LifeMask™, FastMask™ as well as the phrase "Make YourSelf Immortal!™" and any other art materials product or craft item denoted by a small 'TM' (such as in LifeCast™) are trademarks. The phrases life cast and life casting or the words lifecast and lifecasting are generic.
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