File puptcrit/puptcrit.0502, message 112


From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Mathieu_Ren=E9?= <creaturiste-AT-magma.ca>
To: <puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2005 05:17:08 -0500
Subject: [Puptcrit] Recipes testing: any chemists in da house?


Hi all.
I'm experimenting , trying to make a better paper mache mix for fine 
details.

-What is the best paper mache pulp recipe you ever used to make fine details 
(avoiding shrinking, warping)?

Right now, my two best recipes are:
1-very fine wood dust and carpenter's glue, sometimes adding a bit of talcum
2-cellulose insulation and carpenter's glue+ a bit of water (only what was 
necessary to moisten and separate the fibers of the celullose)

To make it smoother and easier to work with, I am trying different fillers 
to use with my cellulose insulation (which is basically recycled paper in a 
lumpy powder form). Talcum works at making it smoother, but tends to dry the 
mix, making it brittle, and somehow self-leveling (some loss of details). 
I'll try a bit of plaster, knowing it will shorten my working time and 
harden my mix, but not to what levels.

Today, I've tried baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in the mix. I thought it 
would work great since I saw a recipe for a fine-detail clay made with 
baking soda and cornstarch. I would avoid cornstarch, becaus eit attracts 
insects, and I haven't found a repellant that is harmless yet.

Since my adhesive is Carpenter's glue, I got a very interesting reaction 
immediately.
I got lumps.
Baking soda makes the glue gel instantly, preventing the paper fibers from 
sticking together.
My pulp is now unusable. Looks like lumps of mushed newspaper covered in 
half baked mozzarella cheese.
Fortunately, I only mix small batches for testing.


Thinking some other applications could be made with this effect, I mixed the 
baking soda directly in some carpenter's glue.
Instant baked egg texture. It sticks to itself, and nothing else. Rubbery, 
but not very stretchy. Will tear if pulled too far..
It rises like cookie dough when a heat gun is activated over it, and shrinks 
back (and a bit more) when left to cool.
I put a sample to air dry, to see if it gives an interesting result.

My questions to all you chemistry-wisened folks is:
-Why does baking soda react in this way with the carpenter's glue?
-how could I use this for an effect in my paper mache?

I prefer to learn how to make my own air-drying clay than to find an 
expensive pre-made alternative.
So far, I learned a lot following this path, imposed upon me for monetary 
reasons.


Mathieu René Créaturiste
Marionnettes, Masques, Etcetera...
Puppets, Masks, Etcetera...
creaturiste-AT-magma.ca
www.creaturiste.com
(514) 274-8027
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Angusson-AT-aol.com>
To: <puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Sent: Friday, February 18, 2005 9:20 PM
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Parade Balloons...


> Hi Paul:
>
> About Macy parade balloons.........
>
> I just did a 'Google' search and found 10 pages of entries including an 
> ABC
> News account....  I typed in "parade balloons"  using the quotes.
> Worth a try......... You may find a lead...............
>
> Hello to all my Pals at the LAB.
> Best,
> Fred Thompson
> _______________________________________________
> List address: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
> Admin interface: 
> http://lists.driftline.org/listinfo.cgi/puptcrit-driftline.org
> Archives: http://www.driftline.org
> 

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