Ceramic Arts Daily – Pottery Video of the Week: How to Construct Cottle Boards for Mold Making and Slip Casting

Mike Davis demonstrates how to construct simple and sound cottle boards.

I am fairly intrigued by the idea of making multiples of forms. I’ve found that I am often drawn to conceptual art that is made up of multiples. And, in my own work, I have thought about mold making and slip casting to help take away some of the “preciousness” of each piece and help free me up to experiment with new surface techniques. Trouble is, the whole mold making and slip casting process kind of intimidated me. I had never had a moldmaking class and I am the kind of person who learns better from seeing something demonstrated, rather than reading about it in a book.

So I decided we needed to make a DVD on the process. Fundamentals of Mold Making and Slipcasting, with Guy Michael Davis is that DVD. Today, I am happy to announce that it is now also available as a download! Here’s an excerpt in which Mike shows us how easy it is to make functionally sound cottle boards. – Jennifer Harnetty, editor.

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This video was excerpted from Fundamentals of Mold Making and Slip Casting, with Guy Michael Davis, which is available in the Ceramic Arts Daily Bookstore.
Order your copy today!

Why wait for it to ship?

Fundamentals of Mold Making and Slip Casting is now available as a download for $39.95!
Get yours today!

To learn more about Guy Michael Davis, and see what he’s up to in the studio, please visit his blog: http://guymichaeldavis.blogspot.com/.

For great mold making techniques, be sure to download your free copy of Ceramic Mold Making Techniques: Tips for Making Plaster Molds and Slip Casting Clay, Volume II.

Genevieve Halse September 7, 2012 at 9:30 pm -

Could someone please tell me what this “soap” is made of ? I’ve seen it in books etc, but living and working in Japan I’ve never seen it in reality and they certainly don’t have it for sale in the pottery supply shops here. If only I knew what it is actually or with what it could be replaced, that would help greatly. I have tried years ago with washing up liquid soap, but to no avail. Thanks for your help, anyone ?
Cactus Jack September 7, 2012 at 8:50 am -

I’ve made cottle boards in the past and am making one today. Two points: 1)I find that just using wood glue is not enough. I have to use screws to make sure that they don’t come apart. 2) I use the frame on a mirror in order to get a smooth surface, however I get leaks and have to seal the edges with clay. Does anyone have a good way to prevent leaks or to seal them.
Barbara September 7, 2012 at 8:50 am -

I thought this was very good. I liked the specific measurements given and liked that he showed every step for making successful cottle boards. I used a different type when I first learned to make plaster molds. I think I will try to make some like his now that I have Mike’s clear instructions. Thanks for this and all the free videos. They really help those of us who like to learn!
Jean September 7, 2012 at 8:35 am -

I have never had the benefit of seeing a mold-maker at work and have used all sorts of weird things as cottles. Some successfully but others rather untidy. So for me and I am sure many others it was good to see and I aim to get organised with cottles. I ofen need to make a mold and dread it as it is not my cup-of-tea but sometimes yo got to do what yo got to do, so thanks Mike and CAD. For those who know it all, you don’t HAVE to watch these generous free excerpts!
Carolyn N. September 7, 2012 at 8:34 am -

Poor timing on the video, since the night before I had poured plaster for mold into quickie cottles made of linoleum. One clay dam I made burst and made a mess, of course, when I jiggled the cottle to get rid of bubbles. Maybe now I will take the time to make some decent wood cottles, even though mold making is not a primary occupation for me. It would save time in the long run. Thanks again for another interesting video and for CAD in general. Stuff to learn (or absorb or take to heart) even after 40 years of potting.
SALLY September 7, 2012 at 8:25 am -

Some of the comments are a little, done this before. I think it helps to see these videos as they will help people who have never done it before. I learnt to do this at college and have used plastic boxes and plastic tubes such as washing up liquid bottles, cut up the site and closed with a band. Or larger pieces of plastic sheet and rolled to make a larger tube. Anything to contain the plaster. Still good to see it demonstrated.
jennifer September 7, 2012 at 8:25 am -

To those who think a video about cottle making is unnecessary: how did you learn to make them? You saw someone do it, of course! For people who are interested in making molds but do not have a course offering or artist in their immediate area, this is a great way to learn how to begin. And every one begins the same way. At the beginning.
jonathan September 7, 2012 at 8:21 am -

My experience with glued joints in furniture is that using either dowels, or biscuits, with the glue, will provide a stronger joint against shearing forces than just glue alone. Also, a water resistant glue – like Gorilla Glue – might be a good idea.
Valerie September 7, 2012 at 8:06 am -

If you are going to make small molds…like for appique items or jewelry pendants, you can use plastic containers like Glad food savers. Bigger plastic containers can be used to make molds also. I have done this. It is simple and quick. I like many things that I see on the videos on this site but there are times, the people making the videos take a long and overly involved method to get results that others get using other types of equipment…but to each his own.:)
john September 7, 2012 at 8:05 am -

if you gonna tease us w/ an excerpt , at least give us something! like Pete suggested –plaster mixing! etc. if cottle board fabrication needs explaining , maybe moldmaking might not be yo cup-o-tea!
pete September 7, 2012 at 8:03 am -

This is a great little demo. I have been using these for many years, since my patternmaking days. We called them “dike boards”, and kept ours covered with “goose grease”. Mine are 1/2″ birch plywood, with pine or fir 2X2′s at one end of each board. “Goose grease” is made by warming up a pan of kerosene, and adding stearic acid until it no longer dissolves into the kerosene. This is the traditional plasterer’s parting agent, but it must be warmed up before each use. Tincture of greensoap 50/50 with water works almost as well, but goose grease sets upon contact, and has more “body” than soap solutions. I sincerely hope your upcoming plaster demo includes the correct method for mixing plaster. There are many WRONG ways and one “best” way.
rene April 8, 2011 at 4:59 pm -

I need to see more…more of the mulit sections to make molds… look forward to it!
Brenda April 8, 2011 at 4:14 pm -

Thank you. This gives my DH a better idea of what I have been telling him to make for me to be able to make molds.
Brenda April 8, 2011 at 1:36 pm -

Good video clip. I cut cottles from laminated countertop sink cutouts (most cabinet shops will give them to you) and they work great also. The laminate facing inside of course…the plaster does not stick to it. Thank you CAD.