Mold Making & Casting
Combining Casting & Mold Making, 3D Modeling, CNC Router or Laser Cutting, and Kiln Firing, this practice provides essential skills for reproduction, small-batch production, and three-dimensional design workflows.
| Tool | Description | Required Badge(s) | Functional Practice | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Treating Mini Oven | A compact, high-temperature oven used to harden, temper, and anneal metal tools and components. Essential for knife makers, tool builders, and anyone working with high-carbon steels. |  | Blacksmithing & Forged Metal ArtMold Making & Casting | |
 | Carbide Desktop CNC Router | A compact CNC machine ideal for small-scale precision carving in wood, plastics, and soft metals. Perfect for prototyping, PCB milling, or crafting intricate artistic designs. |  | Electronics & RoboticsMold Making & CastingPrintmaking & Paper ArtsProduct Prototyping & Enclosure DesignYouth-Oriented Maker Curriculum |
| Handheld 3D Scanner | Capture real-world objects and turn them into digital 3D models. This handheld scanner is perfect for reverse engineering, digital archiving, or prepping assets for 3D printing and CNC machining. | No Badge Required | Mold Making & CastingProduct Prototyping & Enclosure DesignSewing and TextilesYouth-Oriented Maker Curriculum | |
 | Propane Foundry Furnaces | Used for melting aluminum, bronze, and other non-ferrous metals, these high-heat propane furnaces support metal casting projects from jewelry to sculpture to machine parts. |  | Blacksmithing & Forged Metal ArtCeramics and PotteryMold Making & CastingSculpture & Large-Scale Art |
 | Sand Casting Equipment | From flasks and greensand to vents and sprues, this setup enables makers to create metal objects from scratch using traditional sand casting methods. Perfect for sculpture, tool-making, and experimental casting. | | Mold Making & Casting |
 | Glass Slumping/Fusing Kiln | This programmable electric kiln is designed for glass fusing, tack firing, and annealing. It enables makers to explore slumped bowls, fused tiles, jewelry, and more. | | Glass Art & Kiln WorkMold Making & Casting |
 | Electric Oval Kiln | This large-format electric kiln features an oval chamber ideal for wide ceramic pieces or batch firings. Programmable and reliable, it supports a wide range of firing techniques and clay bodies. |  | Ceramics and PotteryMold Making & Casting |
 | Barrel Kiln | | Ceramics and PotteryMold Making & Casting | |
 | Small Barrel Kiln | An electric kiln capable of Cone 6 firing. Compact and efficient, it’s great for test tiles, small batch pottery, or individualized firings in a shared studio. | | Ceramics and PotteryMold Making & Casting |
 | Square Kiln | A Cone 6 electric kiln with a square chamber—offering flexibility for loading shelves, platters, and odd-shaped work. Perfect for mid-range ceramic projects and glaze firings. | | Ceramics and PotteryMold Making & Casting |
 | X-Carve CNC | A mid-sized CNC router great for carving wood, plastics, and soft metals. With an intuitive interface and versatile build area, it’s perfect for signs, furniture, and functional art. | | Carpentry and Custom WoodworkingMold Making & CastingProduct Prototyping & Enclosure Design |