A dead plate is provided in three mutually superposed layers: (1) a strong flat bottom layer fully perforated all over and permanently covering the air box, (2) a similarly perforated readily removable top layer formed with spaced depressions and elevated points for making minimal contact with the hot newly molded glassware, and (3) an intervening flat plate interchangeably selected from a series each of which is provided with perforations in a limited area of special pattern for conforming desirably closely to a particular size and shape of ware intended to traverse the dead plate.