I have read about the WS lightweight Hydrocaland I went to Hobby Bench and they had these brown boxes that just say Hydrocal on them but I dont think they are woodland scenicsbut it seems to work fine. They are easy to use and durable. Plaster of paris and cement are about the same price, you just have to buy twice as much for twice the price- even this is usually cheaper than going straight for the quality products. Step 1: Pour 1 cups of lightweight hydrocal slowly into cup of water. Plaster molds can also be used to cast wax, if the mold is well-soaked beforehand. However, there are instances wherein you do not want the plaster to completely dry out before it is removed from the mold. Smooth out any bubbles that you can find using a skim coat of a watery mixture once it has completely dried. Besides.. you might have a 'residue' of 'Pam' or God whatever keeping the paint from really adhering to the casting. In this dehydrated state, it can be used as an ingredient in plaster. Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter,
a 10 pound box of this hydrocal was I think 10 bucks..so 1 dollar a pound. What is hydrocal? For casting of any molds Hydrocal can't be beat. Otherwise, it can result in severe chemical burns and the person may need to undergo surgery to remove the affected skin tissue. It is easy to do especially when you are working with small batches. It is usually sold in 100# bags. Seal it first. But all three DEFINITELY have their uses. Paste as plain text instead, You can check out the video below for the step-by-step tutorial. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses how to make plaster of Paris stronger. If you find you like rock face and stone wall castings, you might also look at Bragdon Enterprises. Most of the time, we choose a material for the project that we are working thinking that it is an excellent choice, only to find out in the end that the material is not the correct one. I picked it up off the floor.. looked for chips.. cracks.. nothing. So that makes the P-of-P 66 cents a pound and the H-Lite $4.25 a pound. But it is awfully good for rock castings. We have found out that ultracal is harder and denser as compared to hydrocal. I've painted over the shellac with acrylics and enamel paint. Nasher Sculpture Center shared the video below on YouTube. NEVER clean plaster tools in the sink, it will ruin the drain. Some pottery, ceramic, and art supply stores are also selling hydrocal. You can use this product to cast rocks or make your castings. Rmueller9 You need to mix the plaster carefully to avoid adding air. It's just more expensive than Ultracal, and lacks a few additives. Plaster of Paris (Hilton?) This material is suitable for many color pigments. Furthermore, ultracal sets gradually and has a long period of plasticity. Think about the casting.. its clean with no 'Pam' or whatever on it.. keeping you from painting it correctly. Grinding is a cave mans job, even the most simple tools will do. I use shellac for this purpose. I even took pics to see how much detail there was.. and how easy it was to pull Dental plaster out of the mold. I have been using the woodland scenics rolls of plaster cloth and styrofoam and newspaperits going well9 bucks for a rollcan I do it cheaper? Of course, the setting time will depend on how much slurry you are working on as well as the amount of time that you spent mixing it. Alternatives that you can choose from if you do not want to use plaster of Paris includes mixing lime and water, soy powder and water, chalk and water, and acrylic undercoat. I've used rigid board insulation for making cast formsfor years now. I had mixed results with plaster of Paris, I assume because the various suppliers grades differ. discusses the difference between hydrocal and ultracal, Provides long workability as setting expansion is twice that of molding plaster and pottery plaster, Ideal for both hollow and solid casting lamp bases, moldings, general castings, and figurines, Provides a great value to performance ratio, Requires 45 parts water by weight per 100 parts plaster, Has a stark white color which makes it ideal for accepting colorants. Like any other gypsum product, hydrocal will vary slightly from batch to batch as far as the amount of water required for mixing. Some say the difference is in the component while others say that there is no difference at all. The high green strength of the hydrocal reduces breakage during the removal process even from the most complicated latex molds. I mixed up a batch of the Plaster of Paris and Plaster of Paris (USG No. While hydrocal is easier to work with when it comes to posting casting projects, ultracal is more durable. In this article, we will have an in-depth discussion about hydrocal. Check out the article to find out more about the differences between both materials. When it comes to mixing plaster and water, there are a few steps that should be done. (on the backside of the casting). 'Surface Tension' yes.. that is what is keeping the plaster really getting into and adhering to the mold. For a head cast you will absolutely want hydrocal. link to Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? The amount of ultracal that is used and its ratio with the water as well as the mixing process can also affect its setting time. We have also learned the difference between a hydrocal and plaster of Paris. Video Casting Hydrocal White into a Plaster Mold. I use a 2 to 1 ratio in my plaster of paris mixture. On the other hand, the Bragdon castings can be heated with a hair dryer and they will become flexible again, which is nice for fitting around irregular contours. You can heat ultracal, but you need to follow heating instructions. You need to be careful in pouring the slurry to prevent air entrainment and also to have a uniform and smooth surface. Check out the article for more information about the topic. Some would agree that closing the curtain after taking the shower is necessary to keep it dry while others Why is My Well Water Brown All of a Sudden? Bear in mind that when you pour a large amount of slurry directly on the mold, it results in slight densification of the cast. I use less plaster.. pour a thinner mold.. and is light.. but strong. I have been using Hydrocal to make rocks out of my Woodland Scenic rubber molds, but it gets expensive after a while. You see the way the spoon is? Decorating is poetry. Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? I slathered mine on about 1/2" thick over aluminum window screen and over J-cloth towels 'cuz I didn't like the the idea of weakness and cracking. The first step is measuring. The castings can set in about 15 to 20 minutes. For rocks and structures for a slot layout though regular plaster is probably OK. Save. Do not worry much because it will eventually combine into the mixture. Weigh the water and hydrocal according to the consistency that you need. We have also shared tips and ideas for using hydrocal and plaster of Paris for your art or craft projects. Take note that hydrocal has a high green strength which allows it to lessen breakage during removal of the casting from the molds. When the drywall mud shrank back on itself , I gained some erosion channels and short narrow ravines randomly along the embankment. Hydrocal is stronger than plaster of Paris. The mixed consistency will vary depending on its use. Avoid mixing vigorously because it can cause air bubbles to form. Pour 2 cups of plaster of Paris into the mixture. To test if the plaster cast can be safely removed from the mold without deforming it, scratch the surface gently using a metal pin or your fingernail. Pour 1 cup of water into the mixing bowl. Use acrylic washes to color castings, repeating until satisfied. Below are the steps on how to make plaster of Paris stronger. I find Plaster of Paris too soft, and subject to scratches and breakage. . Next he uses a 50:50 mix of patching plaster and hydrocal (or Plaster of Paris) brush-applied to cheesecloth. On the other hand, it is still a plaster that is heavy, dense, and can shatter when dropped. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses if hydrocal is stronger than plaster of Paris. You should be fine. I tried some WS lite weight hydrocal, but it was no better than PofP and cost WAY more. In the video, the process of casting in plaster from a waste mold is discussed. Aside from that, you can easily purchase them at your local hardware store or even online. While we strive to provide quality information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. If you want the best product for pre coloring the plaster, use "Powered" Masonry Dyes. Is there a difference between hydrocal and ultracal? I've also used Bragdon Foam with a Bragdon mold. Hydrostone and hydrocal are both gypsum products. Let us learn more about this below. Be careful about spilling the plaster dust, as it is a pain to get it up without it blowing . Both are plaster but have their differences. Thanks for your reply. I am happy with the detail.. and this is the best shot I can show you. Take note that plaster that does not slough off is vital when it comes to making long life scenery. Hydrocal is a gypsum product that is commonly used for slip latex mold sand case molds. Work with the mixture until you have a smooth and consistent mix. Why?> When you're done.. and the plaster is dried to your bowl.. just add water.. look closely at the bow.. you'll see a thin film of plaster.. that just slides up and off the rim of the bow. The last step is drying. I had to chisel some off the sides to remove the cast. I have used plaster of Paris for table and back castings for 25 years. If you are wondering how hydrocal is used to create casts, you can check out the video below for the process. Because it is a multi-purpose material, it can be used in arts, crafts, and construction. Mabye in more humid climates though. But in short using the hyrdrocal/dental plaster. I would still use real ballast. I am never going back to any plaster or hydrocal product. Our supplier has the plaster in 99# bags. The difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris is that hydrocal is stronger. While we strive to provide quality information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. With the many plaster materials that are available on the market, it is vital that you know what you are working with. I cut my teeth using p.o.p. Sorry for the poor picture quality but the reddish color of Pa. Stone is not really well represented by my poor photography. Leaving the shower curtain open or closed has long been a debate for a lot of people. Now all I do is, just paint a 1/4 thickness of plaster.. lay in a cloth strip and done. Aside from that, the glue can also end up floating to the top of the mold. I truly believe that all you have to do is 'wet' your mold down. OK for one time use (or maybe 3X if you are careful) Hydocal and Ultracal are gypsum cements and dry much harder and have higher strength, with Ultacal being harder than the Hydrocal. It is also an extremely wear-resistant material. I suppose this would be determined by the size of the dry grains. link to Why is My Well Water Brown All of a Sudden? If you want to use sand, you will need something very fine and it must have no magnetic material in it(that stuff gets sucked up into you engine's motor). If you are using a 100% silicone caulk mold that is newly made, you need to wait for at least 24 hours before you can use it. Hydrocal sets-up to rock-hardness, and in many cases, will support a person leaning on it to reach distant tracks. Example: I had poured a tunnel portal using the dental plaster. This website is strictly for entertainment purposes. The next step is mixing. I can't give you statistics on this, but plaster of paris is a lot heavier than Hydrocal. Good luck. I did try adding a little color to one batch and was not as happy with the wayit took washes after that. I'd stick with the Hydrocal if I were you. For a more in-depth discussion about this topic, you can check out this article that we have shared titled, what is hydrocal? I have poured large faces of rocks.. using less and less dental plaster. You should use some kind of tiles regardless of the type of plaster, ceramic or glass tiles. Below is a step-by-step instruction on how to mix hydrocal. Aside from that, they are also durable and lightweight. Choosing a material for a specific project that you are working on can sometimes be confusing because of their similarity. Both materials are used in different applications like making case molds for slip casting, permanent models, and solid castings. I find Hydrocal is better for making rock castings. As compared to plaster of Paris, hydrocal takes a lot more details and they do not slough off so you do not have to deal with lots of dust and chips. Hydrocal dries rock hard, so it is hard to modify or carve. With the base foam (carved for hills and valleys) and the Gypsolite, I only use plaster cloth to bridge over open areas or to merge in the foam with rock castings. Mixing ultracal with water produces a chemical reaction. Moreover, they are easy to prepare and can be set after just a few minutes. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses what hydrocal is made of. If this is the case, you should wait for at least two to three hours or longer depending on the temperature. What are the main features of hydrocal? The difference between hydrocal and ultracal is that ultracal is harder and denser. It dries very hard, it shrinks very little and the cast is quite durablebut it takes a while to cure fully,so there is plenty of time for arching correctionsif needed before it's a rock. What Can I Use Instead of Plaster of Paris? AS far as your question goes as far as detail.. well I used the WS paints .. and this is my first time at it. Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter,
As this happens, it changes from hemihydrate to dihydrate. Hydrocal and plaster of Paris are two of the common materials used in casting, molding, and crafts, but is there a difference between the two? Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org. I use 'Dental Plaster' its cheaper.. and I believe the same as Hydrocal. Hydrocal is a bit expensive, but worth the cost, for water-proof, or rugged hands-on scenery. I was wondering about this idea after helping my son-in-law hang sheetrock and mudding the seams. To me plaster of paris is easier to work with and cheaper. I wanted its superior strength. On the other hand, you should add drops of lemon juice if you want to slow the drying time. While hydrocal is easier to work with when it comes to posting casting projects, ultracal is more durable. It is half the weight of hydrocal plaster and goes twice as far. UltraCal-30 is just plain old plaster of paris, with some portland cement, usually in a 8:1 ratio, so you can make your own from a trip to the local hardware store. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses if boiling water kills mold. Generally, the maximum temperature at Ultracal molds can be heated safely is 120 Fahrenheit. Stir the plaster of Paris and water mixture slowly until it forms an even and smooth consistency. WHITE HYDROCAL - Used for making plaster objects, a neutral gypsum cement having a normal set of 25 minutes. Well mix your plaster exactly like this. Aside from that, it is also weatherproof and scratch-resistant. When hardened, it will permit removal of molds with "undercuts" whereas plaster of paris will break off detail. I would be interested in others experience with hydrocal. It takes washes well. When exposed to a temperature that is higher than this, hydrocal will start to calcinate. I have made a lot of rock castings with this mix and have had good results with this mix. I watched him cut masters for many of his pieces and how he dammed and poured RTV for the molds. As compared to plastic, plaster can easily break especially if it is dropped. I am really looking to spend less. On the other hand, it is not as durable as compared to ultracal. how about ballast? Decorating is poetry. link to Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? This helps slow down the absorption process. The finished product.. is an extremely thin .. light.. very strong casting. Ultracal is a good choice if your work needs accuracy and a good amount of surface hardness. Description. What is hydrocal? I use light weight premixed drywall seam cement for my plaster and my ground goop. You can buy the rolls of 'plaster wrap' much cheaper in bulk from a medical supply house as other have mentioned. What is hydrocal? 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