Optic molds
Also called rigadin mold (Murano), dip mold, pattern mold
Ribbed or patterned dip molds, often bronze, that put a pattern on a gather which is then blown out.
What it is
An optic mold is a small dip mold with a patterned inside, such as ribs or diamonds.[2] Murano’s rigadin molds are open dies, generally of bronze, with grooves of triangular cross-section.[1] Molds are described by height and number of points (ribs): Hegan’s run from 10 to 24 points, with ribs that meet in a closed, concave bottom or an open, flat one,[3] and Carlo Donà’s Murano optical molds come in 12 to 30 points.[4]
How it’s used
The glassblower lowers the gather into the mold, inflates it against the walls, and lifts it out; then keeps blowing and shaping, and the pattern softens as the glass expands.[2] Twisting the ribbed gather makes a swirl,[1][2] and on Murano twisting it again the other way after reheating, then going back into the mold, gives criss-cross ribbing.[1]
Other pattern molds work the same way: dip molds can carry diamonds instead of ribs,[2] and Jim Moore’s spring mold is a 5/16” steel coil whose pattern you have to “screw” the glass out of.[5]
Sources
Optic molds in the archive 84
| Photo | Tool | Maker | Sellers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3" Round Bottom MoldMiniature round-bottom bronze molds with triangular ribs that meet at a point at the bottom. | Hegan Glassworks (Hobbyglass) | 7 | |
| 4" 8-Point Star MoldA 4" bronze star-shaped optic mold with eight points and an open, flat bottom. | Hegan Glassworks (Hobbyglass) | 1 | |
| 4" Diamond MoldA 4" bronze diamond mold that makes lens-like windows. The 16-point version gives bigger windows but is harder to release; the 20-point i... | Hegan Glassworks (Hobbyglass) | 1 | |
| 4" Flat Bottom Optic MoldA 4" bronze optic mold with narrow-tapered triangular ribs for goblet tops, ornaments, and other small work. It also holds cane for warmi... | Hegan Glassworks (Hobbyglass) | 6 | |
| 4" Hexagon MoldA 4" bronze mold with six flat sides and an open, flat bottom. | Hegan Glassworks (Hobbyglass) | 1 | |
| 4" Mezzostampo MoldA specialty 4" mold with twelve square, narrow-tapered ribs, made for half-stamped (mezzostampo) goblet tops. | Hegan Glassworks (Hobbyglass) | 2 | |
| 4" Narrow Optic MoldA 4" bronze optic mold that tapers quickly to a closed, concave bottom, for narrow forms. | Hegan Glassworks (Hobbyglass) | 6 | |
| 4" Round Bottom Optic MoldA 4" bronze optic mold with triangular ribs, designed for goblet tops and also good for ornaments and pumpkin stems. | Hegan Glassworks (Hobbyglass) | 7 | |
| 5" Round Bottom Optic MoldA 5" bronze optic mold whose ribs taper to a closed, concave bottom. | Hegan Glassworks (Hobbyglass) | 6 | |
| 6" Diamond MoldA 6" bronze diamond mold. | Hegan Glassworks (Hobbyglass) | 1 | |
| 6" Flat Bottom Optic MoldA 6" bronze optic mold with triangular ribs and nearly straight sides. It also holds cane for warming in an oven. | Hegan Glassworks (Hobbyglass) | 4 | |
| 6" Round Bottom Optic MoldA 6" round-bottom bronze optic mold with triangular ribs. You don't have to cut off the bottom of the bubble after blowing, which saves t... | Hegan Glassworks (Hobbyglass) | 4 | |
| 6" Spring MoldA 6" steel coil mold. The finished glass has to be screwed out of the coil to release it. | Jim Moore Glass Tools | 2 | |
| 8" Diamond MoldAn 8" investment-cast bronze diamond mold that leaves lens-like windows on the piece. | Hegan Glassworks (Hobbyglass) | 1 | |
| Bronze Optic Dip Mold (Custom)A bronze optic dip mold that can be customized to your own design and size. | Eclipse Casting | 1 | |
| Optic Mold - 20 Point 45 x 90mmA 20-point optic mold for ribbing a gather, 45 mm across. | Carlo Donà | 2 | |
| Optic Mold 12-1-8BA 12" cast aluminum optic mold with 8 semi-circular scallops, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 12-2-12AA 12" cast aluminum optic mold with 12 indentations, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 12-3-16AA 12" cast aluminum optic mold with 16 pointed ribs, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 12-4-24BA 12" cast aluminum optic mold with 24 indentations, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 12-5-8BA 12" cast aluminum optic mold with 8 pointed ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 12.5-1-28BA 12.5" cast aluminum optic mold with 28 pointed ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 18-16AA 18" cast aluminum optic mold with 16 pointed ribs, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 18-8AA 18" cast aluminum optic mold with 8 pointed ribs, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 4-1-20AA 4" cast aluminum optic mold with 20 ribs, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 4-10-5AA 4" cast aluminum optic mold with a 5-pointed star opening, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 4-11AA 4" cast aluminum optic mold with a heart-shaped opening, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 4-12-12BA 4" cast aluminum optic mold with 12 semi-circular indentations, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 4-13-8AA 4" cast aluminum optic mold with 8 scalloped ribs, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 4-14-16AA 4" cast aluminum optic mold with 16 pointed ribs, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 4-15-5AA 4" cast aluminum optic mold with a 5 sided design, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 4-16-12AA 4" cast aluminum optic mold with 12 pointed veins, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 4-17-16AA 4" cast aluminum optic mold with 16 scalloped ribs, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 4-2-12BA 4" cast aluminum optic mold with 12 ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 4-3-14BA 4" cast aluminum optic mold with 14 ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 4-4-10AA 4" cast aluminum optic mold with 10 semi-circular indentations, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 4-5-6BA 4" cast aluminum optic mold with a 6-pointed star opening, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 4-6-20AA 4" cast aluminum optic mold with 20 ribs, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 4-6-20BA 4" cast aluminum optic mold with 20 ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 4-7-12AA 4" cast aluminum optic mold with 12 ribs, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 4-8-18BA 4" cast aluminum optic mold with 18 scalloped ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 4-9-10BA 4" cast aluminum optic mold with 10 scalloped ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 6-1-8BA 6" cast aluminum optic mold with 8 pointed ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 6-2-12BA 6" cast aluminum optic mold with 12 pointed ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 6-3-24BA 6" cast aluminum optic mold with 24 pointed ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 6-4-8BA 6" cast aluminum optic mold with 8 rounded ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 6-5-32BA 6" cast aluminum optic mold with 32 pointed ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 6-8-40AA 6" cast aluminum optic mold with 40 pointed ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 6-9-20AA 6" cast aluminum optic mold with 20 pointed ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 7-14AA 7" cast aluminum optic mold with 14 indentations, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 7-15AA 7" cast aluminum optic mold with 15 indentations, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 9-1-8BA 9" cast aluminum optic mold with 8 semi-circular indentations, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 9-10-12BA 9" cast aluminum optic mold with 12 pointed ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 9-2-12AA 9" cast aluminum optic mold with 12 pointed ribs, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 9-2-12BA 9" cast aluminum optic mold with 12 pointed ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 9-3-18AA 9" cast aluminum optic mold with 18 pointed ribs, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 9-3-18BA 9" cast aluminum optic mold with 18 pointed ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 9-4-24AA 9" cast aluminum optic mold with 24 pointed ribs, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 9-4-24BA 9" cast aluminum optic mold with 24 pointed ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 9-5-32AA 9" cast aluminum optic mold with 32 pointed ribs, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 9-6-8BA 9" cast aluminum optic mold with 8 scalloped ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 9-7AA 9" cast aluminum optic mold with a heart shaped opening, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 9-8-5AA 9" cast aluminum optic mold with a 5-pointed star opening, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold 9-9-6BA 9" cast aluminum optic mold with 6 scalloped ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold N3-12BA 3" cast aluminum optic mold with 12 pointed ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold N3-D-12BA 3" cast aluminum optic mold with 12 pointed ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold N3.5-20BA 3.5" cast aluminum optic mold with 20 pointed ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold N3.5-32BA 3.5" cast aluminum optic mold with 32 pointed ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold N4.5-12BA 4.5" cast aluminum optic mold with 12 pointed ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold N4.5-R-10BA 4.5" cast aluminum optic mold with 10 scalloped ribs, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold N4.5-R-12BA 4.5" cast aluminum optic mold with 12 scalloped indentations, closed at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold S1-12AA 2-5/8" cast aluminum optic mold with 12 scalloped ribs, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold S2-16AA 2-5/8" cast aluminum optic mold with 16 pointed ribs, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold S3-24AA 2-5/8" cast aluminum optic mold with 24 pointed ribs, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold S4-32AA 2-5/8" cast aluminum optic mold with 32 pointed ribs, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold S5-3AA 2-5/8" cast aluminum optic mold with a triangular opening, open at the bottom. | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold Split 4AA 4" cast aluminum split optic mold with 8 ribs with semi-circular indentations running vertically, open at the bottom. It puts rounded r... | Steinert Industries | 1 | |
| Optic Mold, 12 Point, 57mm x 100mmA 12-point optic mold for ribbing a gather, 57 mm across. | Carlo Donà | 2 | |
| Optic Mold, 16 Point, 45mm x 90mmA 16-point optic mold for ribbing a gather, 45 mm across. | Carlo Donà | 2 | |
| Optic Mold, 16 Point, 55mm x 100mmA 16-point optic mold for ribbing a gather, 55 mm across. | Carlo Donà | 2 | |
| Optic Mold, 18 Point, 45mm x 90mmAn 18-point optic mold for ribbing a gather, 45 mm across. | Carlo Donà | 2 | |
| Optic Mold, 20 Point - 45 x 95mmA 20-point optic mold for ribbing a gather, 45 mm across. | Carlo Donà | 2 | |
| Optic Mold, 24 Point, 50mm x 90mmA 24-point optic mold for ribbing a gather, 50 mm across. | Carlo Donà | 2 | |
| Optic MoldsOptic molds made in-house at Novotný Glass in Nový Bor. | Novotný Glass Tools | 1 |
