Mold Making and its Uses

A mold is an impression taken of a certain object intended to reproduce the original as closely as possible. Mold making is a huge industry as molds are used in so many areas of life. The first uses of mold making that come to mind are those of a more artistic nature for use of ornaments and similar items. Artists often use molds to recreate living models while others use mold making as a regular hobby.

We are in contact with mold making more often than we realize as Jello designs are created by a mold, the reproduction of sculptures involves the use of molds and even fossils require mold making to create display models. Shoes, car tires, car dashboards and even the kitchen sink can be made using molds. Mold making is useful for making cups, telephones, many forms of decoration and is even made use of when constructing buildings. Candles are created with the use of molds and of course, molds assist the special effects of movies and television programs.

A mold can be made out of almost anything including people and is often used to make plaster casts. The simplest mold that most people begin with is that of a small toy or ornament. There are lots of mold kits designed for children which contain all of the materials needed to create and decorate a small piece. Molds can even be used to make frozen snacks using yoghurt or fruit juice. A rubber mold can be used to recreate any model made from clay, plaster, bone or almost any other type of material.

Making a Mold

Amateur mold making and the more professional varieties can use completely different products but safety should be the first priority at all times. Mold making usually involves a flexible rubber product because they are best for reproducing small details while their flexibility make them easy to remove from the original model. They usually last a long time and can be reused numerous times making them good value for money. Latex, silicone, polyurethane and polysulfide are the varieties of rubber most commonly used in mold making. Most mold making is not for children and only the sets designed for children should be used by younger members of the family under strict supervision.

Good ventilation is necessary if using sealers and rubber products as fumes may be released. People should wear rubber gloves and long sleeves when using these products to avoid skin coming into contact with the more dangerous substances. The working area and materials should be at room temperature for the mold and casting to work correctly. The instructions that come with all of the materials should be read fully and followed accurately.