From: Ed Atkeson <edatkeson-AT-earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2006 17:34:28 -0500
To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Rhino masks


 >>> Fred Thompson: The West System epoxy is a material I used a few 
years back for a small sailboat I built. It is flexible and wondrous 
stuff. It never occurred to me that it might be used with fabric for 
puppets or masks. The only concern I would have, and Ed would have the 
answer, would be the 'off-gassing' as the epoxy cured and if this had 
affected his actor/puppeteers in any way when they wore them? Some 
folks are more sensitive than others.
--------------------
Hi Fred,
Don't forget to send me a Puppetry Journal one of these days.  Maybe 
after the holiday busyness.

Thanks everybody for the nice comments on the masks. People in the 
audience were pretty uneasy with rhinos moving around in the dark. Heh.

About the glue. The whole thing with out-gassing is that wood being 
glued or coated sometimes blows bubbles in the resin as it cures, 
ruining the finish. I think epoxy is pretty much chemically inert once 
it cures.

The masks have a little saran inside, and that helps keep you away from 
the scratchy burlap. But there's no smell, and they're roomy enough and 
open at the bottom. I'm really sensitive to fumes etc. I think they're 
ok on that account once they cure completely and sit around for a 
while.

West System epoxy is about $140. a gallon, but you can buy it in the 
quart size. It's pretty incredible. It would probably do a very good 
job of stiffening up papier mache.
best,
Ed A

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