Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002 12:14:51 -0600
Subject: Re: PUPT: Molds, casting & reproducing


Neoprene is fairly easy to use and has some flexibility that you asked
about and is pretty much unbreakable. And not to offend anyone, but I
wouldn't say it is non toxic! Big warning on eye protection!!! If
splashed in your eyes can cause serious damage or blindness from what
I've heard. Also, for me personally, it has a vinyl type smell to it (at
least the older formulation did for sure) and it makes me not feel so
swell! <G> Even on a completely cured casting, some off-gassing was still
there and would make me kinda ill.  Of course many of us puppeteers have
burnt out our olfactory senses (sense of smell) by working with hazardous
chemicals in the past and might not even smell the neoprene chemicals!
<G> They are there though. I've stopped working with it myself. That's
just me. Maybe the newer formulation is kinder! <G>

Wayon......, you might also consider Magic Sculp. It's another material
and process to consider. It's a fairly easy way to make some puppet
parts. It ideally works best with a little reinforcement material
combined with it for better strength. I know people who work at their
kitchen tables with it. Pretty mild compared to many other materials. You
can see a demo of working with it here on a large puppet head:

http://puppetsnprops.homestead.com/casting.html

There are many, many ways to make puppets and such. Magic Sculp is just
another option to consider.   Hope that helps! You may be able to work
with the neoprene and it might not bother you at all. I may just be
sensitive to those particular group of chemicals. As with any material
that you work with, get an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) from the
supplier or MFR to be sure what's in it and how harmful it can be, and
what precautions are needed in working with it.  

I personally work with urethanes a lot on a rotocaster (just because I
have the equipment for other professional work), but wear a respirator
while working with it. After it cures it is fine though and doesn't
bother me. I do wear a dust mask while sanding though. 

Cheers,

Mike Brose
http://puppetsnprops.homestead.com/home.html
http://puppetsnprops.homestead.com/HeadCastings.html
http://puppetsnprops.homestead.com/VentBook.html
http://www.jugglingstore.com/products/zsiliconeballs.html (silicone
juggling balls)




On Fri, 22 Feb 2002 16:05:35 EST Puppetz-AT-aol.com writes:
> 
> In a message dated 2/22/02 3:19:12 PM, Wayong-AT-aol.com writes:
> 
> << Actually, my question was how to reproduce my works.  I already 
> have 
> techniques to make my original works.  
> Has anyone worked with Friendly Plastic before?
> 
> Wayong >>
> 
> Neoprene works well for multiple castings, although it is expensive. 
>  As far 
> as I know, it's non-toxic, and relatively easy to work with.  And 
> not to 
> offend any Friendly Plastic advocates out there, but personally I 
> can't stand 
> the stuff.  I used it once about ten years ago to make some puppet 
> hands -- a 
> hellacious experience.  One of these puppets was exposed to direct 
> sunlight 
> in the back of a car (still in its bag), and his hand melted.  The 
> "Friendly" 
> plastic fused to the puppet bag material and had to be cut out.  
> Unfortunately, the character was a Prince Charming type -- if it had 
> been 
> Quasimodo, I could have run with it.  Oh well.
> If you haven't already, you may want to check out the puptcrit 
> archives for 
> info re Neoprene and mold-making.  
> 
> ~Anne
> 
> 
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