Sealing the mold

[ricecereal]

I use plywood to make the mold. Do I need to seal it to prevent glue from causing problems later in removing the mold? What is use to seal plywood? What is a better choice for the mold? Is that also required sealing?

[CamQTR]

Hi RC,

Some people use varnish to seal the mold. Then it looks nice, too! I just used a wax crayon, I coloured around the edges, except the blocks. I had no problems with the ribs sticking to the mold, they came off easily. I made one mold out of plywood, then another from regular pine wood plank. I prefer the wood plank, it's easier to modify, drill new holes, etc. - Cam

[mbstruss]

As mentioned, you can seal the mold with varnish (applying an additional coat to the non-block contacting edges). You can also size the surfaces where the blocks will go with thinned glue. Also apply a wax to the mold near to where glue joints will be (for glue run-over etc.).

Note that I also am a novice so better ways of doing this may be presented here!

[MANFIO]

I use solid wood to make my molds. I think it's better to work with solid wood. Some may say it can deform, but Strad make his molds this way too.

[Michael Darnton]

I use a wax candle around the edges. Be sure you don't get anything where you need to glue the blocks, though.

[Seth_Leigh]

I sealed my Milanollo mould with polyurethane. I made it from cherry wood, so with the polyurethane it looks very nice. As for the finish, I polyurethaned the parts where the blocks go too and I actually had four of my blocks pop off and need regluing while I was working them. I'd say with polyurethane it's probably not that big a deal if some glue gets on the mould while doing the ribs. Still, something to avoid if you can.

That being said, I rubbed a bar of soap around the perimeter of the mould after the blocks were on, keeping it off the blocks of course.

[davidstimson]

scotch tape does the trick for me...