This is placed in the center of a broad board, which is surrounded by a frame or flask. The flask is filled with sand, and the wood and metal tampers are used to ram it tightly around the pattern. Various types of sand and binding agents can be used. The most commonly used sand in the nineteenth century was loam, which is clay mixed with sand.

After ramming, the flask is turned over, and another flask is placed on top of the now-exposed bottom surface. Again the sand is rammed over the form; then the two halves are separated, removing the pattern. The multitude of trowels, smoothers, cleaners, beads, bosses, and spoons are used to cut the vents, gates, and sprues in which the molten metal is poured, and in smoothing or repairing the walls of the mold itself.