What plaster do you use?

[Anonymous]

Where do you get it from. I am using the paper towels soaked in plaster. However the plaster i am using is gypsum plaster from home depot. Is there something better? Thanks Bill.

[AggroJones]

I use DAP plaster of paris from Micheal's, the craft store. It absorbs pigment well. Hydrocal is much stronger, but also much more expensive.

[orsonroy]

Plaster? What's that?

(I'm a foam guy)

[rexhea]

I don't use paper towels, but use Medical plaster gauze. Its as good, if not better than that tagged for modeling. Best of all, it's about $2 cheaper for a larger roll. Look up a medical supply in your area or ask a medical friend if they can help you get some. (Johnson's is the best brand. stronger gauze)

I cover the dried gauze with plaster of paris which has worked fine, but is heavier than Hydrocal. I haven't found Hydrocal in my area, but I'm getting ready to order some from: http://www.plaster.com/HobbyPlaster.html

[Jetrock]

I have used Woodland Scenics lightweight Hydrocal to model rock castings and a turntable pit, but generally prefer Sculptamold for general scenery.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy

Plaster? What's that?
(I'm a foam guy)

[#ditto][swg][(-D]
Me too!
But I do use DAP Plaster of Paris for rock castings.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Does anyone still use Hydrocal? It has been a long time staple of model railroaders. It is more dense and harder than plaster. It can be difficult to find, but it is out there. Look under plaster in the yellow pages and call around.

Has anyone used Dura Bond? It is nice for carving.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kbfcsme

QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy

Plaster? What's that?
(I'm a foam guy)

[#ditto][swg][(-D]
Me too!
But I do use DAP Plaster of Paris for rock castings.

Foam here too. Weight is a big issue on my new layout so I'm always looking for weight-saving techniques. In the areas that would in the past have been covered by large pieces of paper, gauze or cloth soaked in plaster, I use a two-part urethane foam poured over (free) recycled bubblewrap & reinforced with (free) recycled fiberglas screening. It forms a sheet about 3/8 thick that gets laid over a few rigid foam risers and some temporary balls of newspapers to form the contours. I then use DAP spackling in rock cuts because it is very lightweight. The landscaping is very strong, self-supporting and weighs next to nothing.

Karl, how is the DAP plaster as far as weight is concerned and for quality of the casting? I haven't done any rock casting yet and I've proved to be no Michaelangelo when it comes to rock-carving.

Wayne

[Anonymous]

I still use hydrocal for carving and for hard shell. I like the strength you get from hydrocal. My rocks on the last layout were so hard that a sawzall had trouble cutting them. I figure if the sawzall had trouble, I can lean on the hardshell and have visitors do all sorts of mayhem and not worry about things being damaged.(at least the shell, rolling stock and scenic details are another story) Look under lath and wall repair supplies to find it in your town. A 50lb bag is @ $20.00 and will last forever. Much better deal than WS light weight.

Guy

[Anonymous]

[quote
Karl, how is the DAP plaster as far as weight is concerned and for quality of the casting? I haven't done any rock casting yet and I've proved to be no Michaelangelo when it comes to rock-carving.
Wayne

[tutaenui]

I buy 25Kg bags of wallboard stopping plaster from my local building supplies outlet

[Anonymous]

You can get any type plaster made, including all the differant types of Hydrocal at www.plastermaster.com. This is a real interesting website as it gives you much information on the differant types of plaster available. The sell in 10-25 and 50 pound bags, I think. I use Hydrocal for rock castings, plaster cloth for the hardshell and sculptamold for the coating over the hardshell. Sculptamold is easy to carve, easier to sculpt, when still wet to green and leaves a natural lumpy surface if simply troweled out.

[MAbruce]

I used paper towels soaked in good old fashioned Plaster of Paris. It worked fine and is holding up well (fixed layout). I found that a bag of Plaster of Paris from Home Depot was cheap (under $10) and was more than enough for my needs.

It sets up pretty quickly, which was good because it forced me to do smaller areas at a time (so I didn't rush and could make sure it was done correctly the first time). It also took acrylic paint washes well.

I’ve always read about people carrying on about Hydrocal. I could never find the stuff and wondered what all the buzz was about anyway. My layout is not mobile, I don’t live in an earthquake zone, and I don’t plan on beating on my landscape with anything, so I just don’t get why I would have needed Hydrocal to begin with?

[Anonymous]

THanks guys, I'm using foam as the base, then covered with a latice of tape which holds the newspaper in place. THen i am covering that in paper towels soaked in plaster. After it all dries it gets a thin coat of sculpta mold to smooth things out. I'm working with a 3 rail hi rail layout so don't hate me because i'm different. LOL BIll

[twhite]

I use Woodland Scenic's plaster gauze for a base--same stuff hospitals use for broken bones--, but hydrocal for rock casting. So far, I haven't had any trouble locating hydrocal, my LHS has it by the bag-ful. It's strong, lightweight. But you have to work FAST with it, because it's got about a 7-minute setting time, or at least that's what I've found. Haven't tried Sculptamold, have trouble finding it around these parts, but I've heard pretty good things about it.

[randybc2003]

On my latest construction I have used slabs of foam, carved & shaped to suit. Then I slop Sculptamold over that for "final" shaping. I use Woodland Scenics (from my LHS) for rock casting. I use more Sculptamold and "mix-up" water putty for some filling points. Very lightweight, and seems strong. I add various latex/acrylic paint & texture finishes over that. This for a portable module.
R.B.C.

[AggroJones]

For rock castings, nothing is lighter than Sculpamold. It doesn't reproduce as crisp as plaster or hydrocal, but this may be desired in certain applications. Light as paper pulp.

[hminky]

I use floor leveler from Home Depot or Lowes, it is hydrocal and is available in smaller quantities, up to 25 lbs. I have pictures of the two I have used at the bottom of my gravel page at:
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/gravel/
I also use Structolite as a hard shell cover
Hope that helps
Harold