I designed and built a mold to be used to make an arch of plaster wedges. For this type of work, it is important that the plaster not shrink as it dries. If it does, it will break as it sets up in the mold. Can anyone tell me what variety of plaster I should use (e.g. plaster of paris?) and what would be a good sourse for obtaining a few gallons? I was thinking of trying Michaels and Ben Franklin Arts and Crafts. Thanks in advance for your help. - Ed
Hydrocal will work well for your project. You can get it at your LHS. Plaster of Paris will work well. You might try home depot or the like for your plaster of paris. It will come in 40 lbs bags and will be useful if you are building a layout and will be making mountains or hills.
I use Polly Filla from LaPage. Works great and is strong, it take RIT dye well too. You can get it at Home Depot or and ood hardware store, and any place that sell painting supplies should have it.
Thanks guys. My gut reaction is that plaster of paris will be more cost effective than Hydrocal. I have not heard of Polly Filla. Is this some variant of drywall mud? I guess I will drop my some stores and price my options. - Ed
Try Durham’s Rock Hard Water Putty.
I guess if this is the same stuff we get in the UK, its a joint filler for wood and plasterboard (drywall), you can get it as a powder to mix or ready mixed in a tub or mastic gun.
I would be very cautious about tyring to cast it though it has a tendancy to crack and crumble if not mixed 100% right. I guess someone is going to say they’ve been casting successfully with it for years now - right?[}:)]
Polly Filla is mainly for wall repairs. Comes as dry mix. It’s a lot cheaper the the pre-mix patch stuff. Take a look at my layout page to see what it looks like. I like it because it’s easy to work with.
I designed and built a mold to be used to make an arch of plaster wedges. For this type of work, it is important that the plaster not shrink as it dries. If it does, it will break as it sets up in the mold. Can anyone tell me what variety of plaster I should use (e.g. plaster of paris?) and what would be a good sourse for obtaining a few gallons? I was thinking of trying Michaels and Ben Franklin Arts and Crafts. Thanks in advance for your help. - Ed
Hydrocal will work well for your project. You can get it at your LHS. Plaster of Paris will work well. You might try home depot or the like for your plaster of paris. It will come in 40 lbs bags and will be useful if you are building a layout and will be making mountains or hills.
I use Polly Filla from LaPage. Works great and is strong, it take RIT dye well too. You can get it at Home Depot or and ood hardware store, and any place that sell painting supplies should have it.
Thanks guys. My gut reaction is that plaster of paris will be more cost effective than Hydrocal. I have not heard of Polly Filla. Is this some variant of drywall mud? I guess I will drop my some stores and price my options. - Ed
Try Durham’s Rock Hard Water Putty.
I guess if this is the same stuff we get in the UK, its a joint filler for wood and plasterboard (drywall), you can get it as a powder to mix or ready mixed in a tub or mastic gun.
I would be very cautious about tyring to cast it though it has a tendancy to crack and crumble if not mixed 100% right. I guess someone is going to say they’ve been casting successfully with it for years now - right?[}:)]
Polly Filla is mainly for wall repairs. Comes as dry mix. It’s a lot cheaper the the pre-mix patch stuff. Take a look at my layout page to see what it looks like. I like it because it’s easy to work with.