Date: Fri, 13 Dec 1996 09:38:55 -0500
From: Bud Wertheim <bwertheim-AT-zelacom.com>
Subject: Re: Molds


I certainly was referring to dehydrated calcium sulphate (gypsum), commonly
known as plaster or Plaster-of-Paris or Casting Plaster, Molding Plaster or
Potters Plaster, etc. depending on its fineness. I have used alginate and
moulage and they are fine for small sections. However they are very
expensive compared to ordinary plaster and they require a plaster mother
mold to keep their shape. Ordinary plaster (the household variety available
in most hardware stores) is easy to obtain and combined with previously
mentioned, cheesecloth, makes for large inexpensive molds. One additional
factor that makes the plaster molds attractive is their unlimited shelf
life. One can use them indefinitely. I have been using on set of molds for
puppet hands and feet for over forty years and another set, molded from my
then young sons' hands, which I use for Vent figures for twenty five years.
The alginate and moulage molds are extremely short lived, making it
necessary to cast a positive in plaster and then another set of negative
plaster or rubber molds. That is if you want to do multiples. I have some
rubber molds I have used for about six years. They too require a plaster
mother mold.

I agree with Shawn that some of the modern 'HARD' casting products which
contain additives that are injurious to skin, due to their nature and the
additional heat generated are to be avoided for body casts... 

At 11:46 PM 11/18/96 -0600, you wrote:
>I think the problem here deals with the numerous types of gypsum products
>available.  Plaster of Paris is probably what Bud is referring to, but
>Ultracal 30 is one of the main plasters the special effects industry uses
>as a casting material.  Ultracal is not something you want on your skin
>when it cures.  In fact, Ultracal gives off steam do to the high
>temperatures created in the chemical reaction.  It will burn!
>
>I do know that plaster bandages can be used to create a cast of a body part
>and, if I am not mistaken, are made with Plaster of Paris.  But I still
>recommend alginate or moulage.
>
>
>
>Shawn A. Svacha
>
>Puppet Creations
>http://www.puppet-creations.com
>e-mail: svacha-AT-puppet-creations.com
>or: bonine-AT-puppet-creations.com
>(713) 943-8057
>
>----------
>> From: Bud Wertheim <bwertheim-AT-zelacom.com>
>> To: puptcrit-AT-jefferson.village.Virginia.EDU
>> Subject: Re: Molds
>> Date: Thursday, December 12, 1996 9:36 PM
>> 
>> The information supplied by Katharine Peters about using plaster to cast
>> body parts is extremely erroneous. Plaster has and is being used to cast
>> body parts with no problem. The heat generated by the hydrothermic
>reaction
>> is not sufficient to burn flesh. It may get quite warm, but BURN! I have
>> cast my hands, feet, head and ears with plaster and made molds from these
>> castings. In my life drawing classes when I taught art in college, I cast
>> whole bodies as well as just legs, arms and all the other parts. I found
>> baby oil, lightly rubbed over the surface of the skin to be a useful
>> separator to keep the plaster from sticking. I use heavy applications of
>> Petroleum Jelly to hair and beards as well as genital hair to seal out
>> plaster penetration.
>> 
>> The application of plaster adhered to cheese-cloth creates much greater
>> strength and allows for much thinner sections which can be handled
>easily.
>> It is possible to purchase a used plaster cutting tool from medical
>supply
>> houses to remove the molds from the body.
>> 
>> 
>
>
>
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>
                 \\|//                   
                 (o o)              
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~oOOo~(_)~oOOo~~~~~~~~~~
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Bud~~~~~~~~~~~~



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