Mixing plaster of paris

[CGW103]

I mix it about the consistancy of pancake batter, which works fine for me.

[MisterBeasley]

I'm also a hydrocal fan for plaster casting.

If you find you like rock face and stone wall castings, you might also look at Bragdon Enterprises.  They use a two-part chemical resin that sets up very well but can actually be softened later with a hair dryer to allow the castings to be bent around curves later.  The castings are thin and light, and can even be cut with scissors.  The Bragdon rock molds are very finely detailed and the foam material brings out all the fine details well.

 

 

[richhotrain]

Good luck, Paul. Let us know how it all works out for you.

Rich

[Macman44]

Thanks, I'll try a thicker consistency next time.  My box of plaster still seems fresh enough, so no immediate concerns there.

I'll also give Lightweight Hydrocal a try when I next buy.

Paul.

[woodone]

I believe you will have better luck using 2 parts of POP (plaster of Paris) to 1 part water.

Also make sure your POP is fresh , if it feels grainy in you hand is has gotten moisture in it. NOT GOOD 

 

 

[richhotrain]

Woodland Scenics recommends using its product, Light Hydrocal, in its rubber molds.  It is a lot more reliable than generic Plaster of Paris.

Rich

[Macman44]

I have just started using Woodland Scenics rock moulds, and am using plaster of paris.  I am unsure of the correct mixing ratio for the plaster.  The instructions on the box say to mix 1:1 with water, but when I do I end up with a white liquid about the consistency of milk.  Of course , it pours into the moulds easily, but when setting forms a pool of water on the surface which has to be soaked up.  On removing from the moulds, I have to be very careful not to break the casting, and thin casts just crumble in my fingers.  Even completed casts remain very soft.

So, is there a generally accepted wisdom about what ratio to mix the plaster?  What I am using seems very thin, espcially when compared to other scenery materials such as Sculptamold or WS Smooth-It.  Are there any other caveats about using this material that would be helpful to know?

Thanks,

Paul.