Hi there.
Has anyone discovered a readily available product that will substitute for Hydrocal in its various guises sold by hobby shops?
I’m looking for something with the same characteristics, at a reduced cost.
I’ve worked with Plaster of Paris, but it’s pretty heavy.
Any thoughts?
Thank you.
Bruce Travis
I have yet to try it, but I’ve wondered if Sheetrock brand or equvilent fast setting joint compound(It’s powderd and in a bag) would work, it comes in various setting times and when mixed with warm or hot water sets quicker. It can be found at home Depot or Lowes in the Drywall department.
Hydrocal seems to be pretty close to being the same as 20 Minute Casting Plaster, which can be purchased in a 110 pound bag from some building supply houses. Casting Plaster dries fairly qucikly and does not crack as it dries. I have never seen a bag smaller than 110 pounds, though, so this will easily be a lifetime supply for several people.
at Hobby Lobby I buy big jugs of hobby plaster, way more inexpensive than Hydrocal and works good
UltraCal 30 is the same thing, but slightly grey in color. Different manufacturer and should be available from commercial construction suppliers in 100 lb bags.
You can order many different types of plaster in many different sizes from Plaster Master. Try this website. www.http://plastermaster.com .
Also, Eric Brooman in an article on his new Utah Belt in MR just a couple of months ago discussed the addition of clay to plaster with results I found intriguing. His rock faces are without comparison. However, I would guess this has more to do with his artistic abilities than the clay/plaster combination. However he did say that this made the rocks easier to carve, which I would think very beneficial.
Find the local supplier for lath and plaster (precursor to sheet rock) finishers in your town. They carry 100 pound bags of hydrocal for about $18.00. This is a far better deal than the stuff in hobby shops.
Guy