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Dale, I have carved hydocal for years. Sounds to me like you overmixed it. If you keep adding to it after it is setting (changing the mix). I have found that it wont cure right. It should be ROCK hard in 20 or 30 minutes from mixing. It will also heat up as it sets, no heat , no set. You could have a bad bag as well... I know there are lots of alternatives to plaster out there. I like plaster, particularly Hydrocal, because of its strength. Plaster is not for everyone, but I enjoy working with it. For carving and hardshell, my method is to cut the tops off of a few one gallon milk jugs to use as mixing bowls. You will have to experiment with the mix of water to plaster to get it right. It is not too sensitive here. After you have ratio down use the same amounts in every batch. I mix up a jug and then wait about 10 minutes and mix another, as the first is thickening I apply it and carve, as it gets too hard to carve the next batch is ready to go. You can get caught with too much plaster hardening at once, but usually it works out well. You have about 10 minutes to carve before it turns to stone. I use a chisel to break the plaster into jagged edges and a utility knife to make the crosscuts and fine lines. You have to work fast and decisively. If something doesn't work, I put more plaster over the top or break it out with a hammer. The jug bottoms can be cleaned by cracking out the plaster by flexing them. Here is an example of the rocks I carved: [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/trainnut1250/resampleview2.jpg[/IMG] My 2 cents, Guy
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