Pure & Simple Bat Molds

The Pure & Simple Bat Mold System

Plaster bats offer a definite advantage over other bats, they absorb moisture from the base of the clay form. Pots dry evenly and release easily, with no need for wire cutting. The Pure & Simple Bat Mold System allows you to make your own plaster bats simply and economically, for about a dollar a bat! Our “Quick-Release” wheelhead attachment will quickly and easily center and secure your bat perfectly every time.

Simply mix plaster and water together according to our formula. Pour the plaster into the mold, and then seat the “Quick-Release” into the back of the mold, making the concave triangular impression in the back of the bat. The bat then simply drops over the matching disk with the raised triangular shape which is mounted on the wheelhead, and the bat is locked on. This tongue & groove locking system achieves a superior bat.

Domed Bats allow you to throw lids and plates, complete, at one sitting! You actually throw them upside down on the domed bat. You can form the foot or the knob at the same time. Trimming is eliminated, cutting your work in half! This system is faster. It’s easier. And it assures you a more uniform product.

Finally, you have a cost effective and hassle free way to create dinnerware.

#1 Dinner $45 #1 Salad $35  #3 Dinner $45 #3 Salad $35 #2 Lid and Bowl $45 18″ Bowl $85 Quick Release  18″ Adapter   10″ Flat $35  13″ Flat $35 15″ Flat $45 18″ Flat $65

Using the Bat Molds – Overview Pour plaster into the mold of your choice. Seat the “Quick-Release” (shown here with the 13″ flat mold) The “Quick-Release” allows you to center and secure the bat. With the Pure & Simple Bat Mold System you can produce plate sets more quickly an easily Throwing on a domed bat allows you to throw lids, bowls, and plates completew/ no trimming necessary It’s a snap on a domed bat!   Bowl from #2 Mold by Mark Williams, South Haven, Michigan   Platter by John Dodero, Jacksonville, Oregon   Casseroles by Sheila Jenkins, Willits, California Step-by-Step:  Plates 1.  Pour plaster into mold and seat quick-release into back of mold. 2. Simply drop bat over the quick-release wheelhead attachment and it’s centered & secure. 3. Apply measured clay paddy or slab to bat. 4. Draw clay down over bat and shape foot. 5. Test for thickness. Step-by-Step:  Lids 1. Draw clay down over bat. 2. Pull up knob 3. Test for thickness. Trim & shape lip. Bat Design This optional method allows you to change the size, change the contour, or impress a pattern.     1. Roll out a clay slab. Trim to fit & place in mold. Center mold on wheel (Giffin Grip or clay chuck is helpful) & sponge a slab to desired contour. 2. Impress or carve pattern if desired. Pour plaster and seat quick-release into back of mold. 3. Shape & impress an infinite number of bat designs.

Back in 1978, when I was 24 years old, I worked for a production potter. I was paid by the piece, so it was very important for me to increase my productivity. But I got frustrated with the difficulty of making uniform plates, and figured there ought to be a more consistent and profitable approach.

I began to look at how other potters worked, and other fields, and found no suitable answers. The production tools I could find were geared toward industry, not toward studio potters like me.

So I began to develop my bat molds. I liked the idea of throwing on a domed bat. It assures a consistent wall thickness and it allowed me to eliminate trimming.

By combining the dome approach to making plates and lids with my unique tongue-in-groove wheelhead attachment, I had an efficient, streamlined system.

The “Quick-Release” feature allowed me to automatically center and secure the bat to the wheelhead while at the same time utilizing the time-saving strategy of the domes.