DIY Network

Web Exclusive: Constructing a Slump Mold Frame From "DIY Pottery" episode DPOT-102

A slump mold frame is essential to achieving the right depth for a hand-built platter or dish.

To create platters or baking dishes with depth, you'll need to create a slump mold frame. Here, host Bill van Gilder guides you through the step-by-step construction of the frame.

Materials:

Piece of 3/4" MDF plywood, (measuring 4" larger than your platter’s edge perimeter)
Piece of plain paper (newsprint) the size of plywood edge dimensions
A pencil and scissor
A drill with a ½" bit tip
Handheld jig saw
Piece of sandpaper or foam sanding block

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1. To create an even, oval shape for the plate (which you can transfer to the frame), fold the piece of newsprint into quarters - in half, then half again. Draw a curve from one corner of the paper (which is now a rectangle) to the opposite corner. Cut along this curved line and unfold the paper oval.

2. Center and trace the edge shape of the paper oval onto the MDF plywood.

3. Drill 1/2" hole through the plywood. Locate the hole inside the oval line.

4. Using the hole as a starting point, use the handheld jig saw and cut carefully along the line. Discard the inner oval piece of plywood.

5. Vigorously sand the inner oval edges and outer four straight edges of your plywood slump mold frame.