cheaper source for plaster cloth

[Anonymous]

I was at a local arts supply place in downtown BBurg today. They carry the woodland scenics products. They had a roll of 8" by 15 yards of plaster cloth for a decent price. But over on the other side of the store they had another company's brand of the same thing for a slightly higher price. It made me feel good that the WS brand was cheaper. Then I noticed that the other company had a "bulk" box. It was 5lbs of random size plaster cloth at a bulk rate. Since we usually cut this stuff up anyway, who cares how nice the roll is? Inside the plain cardboard box was about 5 rolls of various sizes, thickeness and lenghts. I never thought to catch the company name.

Anyone else know a good source for this stuff?

[Anonymous]

I'm not familiar with Plaster cloth. I made my mountain out of texture paint over window screen and with paper towels. Texture paint is available at paint stores as powder in 10 # bags for a maybe $10. Add water. Texture paint makes a light weight easy to work with mountain or secnery. Much better than plaster of paris I think.

Charlie

[Anonymous]

You can always make your own plaster cloth by using very inexpensive unbleached
muslin cloth. IIt's available buy by the yard in fabric stores at very reasonable prices.
Last time I bought some off huge roll it cost $1 a yard.

Cut what you need to drap over your scenery and then wet it and add Plaster of Paris, then mix it all up until you have the right consistancy and then use it as you would use the store bought plaster cloth.

Hope this helps.

BillFromWayne
www.modeltrainjournal.com

[eZAK]

The most cost effective way I found was to recycle your old news paper.
Tear it into strips then dip it into Sheetrock's Durabond 90 joint compund.

A 25lb bag will cost around $10 and make alot of mountains!

[cheese3]

I use window screen and joint compound. It works great.

[daan]

I use old bedsheets and hobbyplaster used to mold figures.. It's very cheap and has the same result. I make the plastermixture with a bit more water added then necessary and soak the (cut to small pieces) sheet in the plaster. Then add the plaster cloth to the framework and after it's settled and dried you get a hard cocoon across the framework which can be finished as desired.

[spankybird]

Has anyone check out the local drug store or medical supply house. This is the same cloth that is used to make cast for broken arms, etc. [?]

[Steamie34]

Another thing to use is "bounce" dryer sheets after they have been used in the dryer

[waltrapp]

I have tried various methods, including the plaster cloth. To me the whole advantage of using the plaster cloth is the ease of using it. I much prefer it over other methods. I guess I have to qualify my statement by saying that I don't make huge plastered scenic areas like you permanent layout guys do. That most likely does make a difference.

I went to an orthopede and asked for some rolls. he SOLD them to me - cheaper than hobby stores, but still. What I thought was cheap of him is he said that they don't use the plaster cloth for casts any longer. I was hoping for FREE, but, oh well.

The one drawback that I have experienced with plaster clothe is that it invariably HAS to be covered with other stuff. By itself it's not sturdy enough. I typically cover it with more plaster of one type or another.

I love the product though for a quick and messy-less way to get things rolling. I haven't found a cheap source though.

walt

[csxt30]

Oh, you know I do the same thing. I go all over the plaster wrap with hydrocal, cause it seems you can see right through the plaster wrap if you don't. I didn't like seeing my light of the engine or caboose as it went through the mountain!! Thanks, John

[cheese3]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Steamie34

Another thing to use is "bounce" dryer sheets after they have been used in the dryer

I have never though of that. That is a cool idea. I am going to have to try rhis.