How to Create a Cuboctahedron Mould and Triangular Prism Core Plant Pot Cast!

This is an Instructables on how to make a cuboctahedron mould and triangular prism core plant pot cast.

Get a sheet of High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS).

Glue 2 sheets of A4 paper to the HIPS sheet using a glue stick.

Get a pencil and a 45 degrees set square and draw 5 squares 6cm by 6cm (length & width) starting from the bottom left hand corner of the HIPS sheet.

Next, get a compass and set up the compass 6cm wide like this.

Now, place the metal tip of the compass on one corner of the paper or a square and draw a line and then do the same on the other side 6cm apart like this. Do this 8 times to create 8 intersecting points to draw the triangle shape.

Then draw 2 lines from one point to the other to create the triangle shape like this.

Now, set up the compass that is 4cm wide like this.

Now, place the metal tip of the compass on one corner of the paper and draw a line and then do the same on the other side 4cm apart. Do this 2 times to create 2 intersecting points to draw the triangle shape.

Then draw 2 lines from one point to the other to create the triangle shape.

Now, draw 3 rectangles that have a length of 12cm and a width of 4cm using the set square.

Once all of the shapes are drawn, cut out the shapes using a pair of scissors.

Now get the 3 rectangle pieces and the 2 small triangle pieces and tape them together using cellular tape to form the net-shape like this.

Then, fold the pieces to form the triangular prism shape by taping them together. Make sure all of the sides are tightly sealed with cellular tape.

Get the 5 squares and the 8 bigger size triangles (6cm) and tape them together to form this net-shape.

Then, fold the pieces one by one and tape them together using cellular tape to form the shape of a cuboctahedron like this.

Once the cuboctahedron mould and triangular prism core are made and all of the sides and corners are sealed, get a bucket, spatula, and casting plaster.

Add 2 cups of water and 3 cups of plaster to the bucket and mix using the plastic spatula until the water and plaster are mixed well.

Then, pour all of the plaster into the mould and gently hit the sides of the mould so that the plaster smooths out and removes any bubbles. Then place the core in the middle of mould and push downwards so that the core almost reaches the bottom of the mould, leaving about 2cm of space between the core and bottom of the mould.

If more plaster is needed repeat the previous 2 steps. Then, leave the plaster to dry overnight for a few days.

Once the cast has dryed after a day or so, remove the high impact polystyrene structure from the cast by carefully cutting the tape using a cutter knife and remove the core by pulling it out using your hands.

Now, get a sanding board and sand the edges and sides of the plant pot cast to create smooth edges and sides.

You are done! Your plant pot cast is complete!