MAKING CERAMICS, CONCRETE, PLASTERWARE  |   MOLDMAKING COURSES  

Start with a portable turning platform which consists of a flat working area, usually melamine, and a center post (See top picture).  The center post will be the center of the object which is being turned.  The Horizontal Template Turning method is used primary to turn plates -- dinner plates, salad plates, dessert plates and other flat round objects.  It is impossible to turn a plate using the Vertical Template Turning method.

The reason it is impossible to turn a plate using the Vertical method is the fact the thickness or lack of thickness of the plate does not all the plate to grip to the turning rod.  Most plates are a quarter of an inch or 8 to 10 ml thick.

Because there is not enough thickness to allow the thickness of the plate to grip the turning rod, it is simpler and easier to allow the plate to be formed while resting on its horizontal axis.

The process starts on a flat surface with a solid post which will  determine the centre of the plate..

A 'sleigh' is used to hold the template to form the inside of the plate.  The trick is to allow the plaster to set to a semi harden state, not harden, (See top picture) and then make as few passes around the center pole to form the 'inside' or the dish of the plate (See second picture).

Allow this newly formed inner plate to set for about 30 to 45 minutes.  Then apply mold release to the inner plate.  Apply as much mold release as required and then brush the excess release away from the center. 

Mix plaster and allow it to semi-harden in the mixing pail before applying to the top the existing inner plate (See third picture).  Then attach the template to form the outer edge of the plate to 'sleigh'.  Make two or three complete revolutions to form the outside of the plate (See fourth picture).

The plate has now been formed, upside down (See fourth picture again) and simply remove from around the center post (See fifth picture).  Later, fill in the hole caused by the post with plaster and allow to set.

The moldmaking process begins with (See bottom picture) by casting the first side.

Later, to complete the process to molding, the second side will be cast after inserting the locks or registers.