They can be set at about 25 to 35 minutes. Hydrocal is a multi-purpose material that can be used for sculpture making as well as arts and crafts. Use a mixing container that can fit the amount of mixture that you will make. Others are a mix of production offerings and ones created by myself or club members. Thank you for reading! The best plaster mix is the one wherein the plaster particles completely dissolve in the water. Hydrocal is mainly composed of plaster of Paris with a small amount of Portland cement. The difference is that hydrostone is considerably harder and lacks the period of plasticity in the setting curve which enables the plaster to be worked directly. This is to make sure that the slurry evenly flows across the surface of the mold. Hydrocal has excellent strength which helps lessen breakage when the plaster cast is removed from the mold. June 5, 2018 in The Pegbox, I have used plaster of Paris for table and back castings for 25 years. Mister Beasley "Can anyone comment on the relative ability of Hydrocal / Plaster of Paris / dental plaster for picking up fine details in the molds?" You first need to tap the side of the container to disperse the powder and also to remove air bubbles. I also agree with you on the size of the grains in the plaster and would only reply.. "You think a Dentists wants a grainy 'impression' of someone's teeth"? I also use Gypsolite (LHS, same big jar) which has a nice gritty texture. Moreover, warm water is used to speed up the setting time. This will prevent air bubbles and will also create a uniform and smooth surface. Is Hydrocal Better than Plaster of Paris? I find Plaster of Paris too soft, and subject to scratches and breakage. If you are working with other types of plaster, they need to be supervised to achieve the best results. Moreover, hydrocal does not slough off as compared to plaster of Paris. I prefer Plaster of Paris because it is easier to drill into to plant trees or otherwise modify. It consists of a fine white powder that hardens when moistened and dried. Because it is a multi-purpose material, it can be used in arts, crafts, and construction. I had mixed results with plaster of Paris, I assume because the various suppliers grades differ. While we strive to provide quality information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. 1. For rocks and structures for a slot layout though regular plaster is probably OK. Save. Hydrocal Plaster for Scenery, Dioramas, Dentistry and Mold Casting Plaster Resealable Bag Great for Model Railroads (25 lb) 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (23) . We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic. With the many plaster materials that are available on the market, it is vital that you know what you are working with. You can check out the article for useful tips and ideas that you can refer to when working with plaster of Paris. All these castings are pre colored. Member since January 2003; From: Ridgeville,South Carolina; 1,294 posts Hydrocal vs. Plaster of Paris. The difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris is that hydrocal is stronger. I. Try buying it in 50 lb bags from a building supply houseNot usually at a Home Depot, look for the store specializing in lath and plaster supplies (there is usually one in most towns) Much cheaper in bulk. These outlets will also have the "veneering" plasters like Unical. Moreover, you cannot use plaster of Paris to make miniature pieces. Example: I had poured a tunnel portal using the dental plaster. I have already commited about $2500 on wood for this train set, 2 loomotives, some cars, construction insulating foam, paints, paint brushes track, power supplies hehehwhy am I telling you all this, you all know how it works well my wad of cash is gone so im now ready to do things the cheapest way. my photos. As compared to most plasters, hydrocal is stronger. Ultracal is specially designed for strength and casting detail. The powdered dye is added to the dry plaster to approximate end color of choice. Plaster of Paris is an ideal material to use for craft and sculpture projects. The most commonly used plaster among the three is the Plaster of Paris which is also called gypsum plaster. I have used both and I color my rock castings with diluted acrylics. Get all the moisture you can see off the mold. I've used plaster of paris before, and have had decent success. Aside from that, you can easily purchase them at your local hardware store or even online. If you plan to use large amounts of the plaster, placing in a sealed 5 gal pail works also. Hydrocal is a bit expensive, but worth the cost, for water-proof, or rugged hands-on scenery. We hope to inspire you. Copyright 1996 - 2022 Maestronet You should use some kind of tiles regardless of the type of plaster, ceramic or glass tiles. I cut my teeth using p.o.p. Both can be used in various art and craft projects. We have also shared tips and instructions on how to use hydrocal and plaster of Paris. Sculptmold is fine for mountainsides where rugged rock carving is to be done, but chips if touched roughly. I find Plaster of Paris too soft, and subject to scratches and breakage. The longer you take to clean your latex mold.. the harder the plaster becomes.. and the harder to clean.. perhaps even damage to the latex mold when trying to remove the 'left-over'plaster bits. Just my opinionTim. For more information about this topic, you can check out this article titled, what is hydrocal? I buy it 500 pounds at a time for my business. I would not use dirt(too much organic stuff in it). Hydrocal has many uses. Stop when the powder is almost covering the surface of the water. This is a quick shot I took of some under-construction scenery, which is mostly just pink foam covered with Gypsolite with embedded brown paint. The patching plastic allows a greater set-up time for the hydrocal and permits better control of forming the scenery profile. Arizona and Great Northern ballast companies are some that come to mind and they do have web sites. Powered by Invision Community. Moreover, they are easy to prepare and can be set after just a few minutes. When hardened, it will permit removal of molds with "undercuts" whereas plaster of paris will break off detail. They are easy to use and durable. Decorating is poetry. We hope that this article has helped you learn more about hydrocal and help you get ready for your next sculpting or molding project. I usePofP now only for rock castings. You have reached the end of this article that discusses the difference between hydrocal and plaster and Paris. Woodland Scenics materials are easy to buy, but very expenssive. For general wall and ceiling repair. Hydrocal molds can be heated at a maximum temperature of 120 F. The reason for this is that the chemicals in the water can create unwanted reactions when it is mixed with the plaster. They use a two-part chemical resin that sets up very well but can actually be softened later with a hair dryer to allow the castings to be bent around curves later. It is water-soluble so it is easier to clean. We have shared tips and ideas that you can refer to. Always do your own research before making important decisions. (on the backside of the casting). On the other hand, when you use less plaster, it creates more porous as well as brittle molds. Both have pros and cons so you need to make sure that you weigh out your options to make the best choice based on the project that you are working on. Using the mold before it is not ready will result in bubbles formation in your casts. Hydrocal is versatile gypsum cement that is used for hollow and solid castings. Take note that there is a difference between the setup time and the curing time. Tough geometry! Bear in mind that the more you mix, the faster the plaster will set up. Always do your own research before making important decisions. Some LHS's carry these lines, others you have to mail order from. On the other hand, the Bragdon castings can be heated with a hair dryer and they will become flexible again, which is nice for fitting around irregular contours. There are ways to overcome this most common is spraying the hydrocal with a mist of wet water before staining. We have also learned the difference between a hydrocal and plaster of Paris. Hydrocal is mainly composed of plaster of Paris and a small amount of Portland cement. Hydrocal is also compatible with many color pigments. Mixing glue into the plaster of Paris mixture will make it more durable and strong. But in short using the hyrdrocal/dental plaster. Decorating is poetry. Ultracal can be used in a wide array of applications. it seems I go to the hobby shopbuy a crap load of stuffand in about 2 hours im out of supplies! We have shared an in-depth discussion. Step 1: Pour 1 cups of lightweight hydrocal slowly into cup of water. Nasher Sculpture Center shared the video below on YouTube. Like Jeff, I also userigid closed cell insulation for cast forms. Below are the steps on how to make plaster of Paris stronger. It can also take a lot of details and does not slough off. But, Jeffrey, would that not make the plaster essentially impossible to paint? Its stronger. CustomTerrain shared the video below on YouTube. We have also shared this article thatdiscusses what happens if plaster of Paris gets wet. AS far as your question goes as far as detail.. well I used the WS paints .. and this is my first time at it. I truly believe that all you have to do is 'wet' your mold down. Let us learn more about these steps below. When heated, the calcium sulfate loses some of its water content. Product Details. On the other hand, it is still a plaster that is heavy, dense, and can shatter when dropped. We hope to inspire you. I pour less.. and use a clothstrip on the back for added strength. Mix the glue to the water and plaster mixture. So, the jury is still out on the subject for me. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses how to make plaster of Paris stronger. Being old is when you didn't loose it, it's that you just can't remember where you put it. Choose an ingredient that you are most comfortable working with. We have shared tips and ideas that you can refer to. Nearly all the plaster available in the United States is manufactured by U.S. Gypsum, (USG). The next step is to pour the mixture. Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? You need to achieve a nice thick soupy consistency. It is considered the strongest and hardest gypsum cement available. Crystals are formed in the mixture of water and calcium sulfate during the setting reaction which makes the plaster harden. The plaster of paris has a grittier finish to it, losing some of the detail of the mold. so I am comfortable with this for scenery and rock molds. In this article, we will have an in-depth discussion about hydrocal. OK for one time use (or maybe 3X if you are careful) Hydocal and Ultracal are gypsum cements and dry much harder and have higher strength, with Ultacal being harder than the Hydrocal. Thank you for reading! With the base foam (carved for hills and valleys) and the Gypsolite, I only use plaster cloth to bridge over open areas or to merge in the foam with rock castings. What I like to do w/ that huge bag of Hydrcal is to rebag in smaller more managable amounts. It is ideal that you wait at least a week. I have made a lot of rock castings with this mix and have had good results with this mix. If you use open cell foam (styrofoam) for a castform, you're going to bein trouble trying to free the cast from the form. manage your account online and more! What is the difference with Plaste of paris? | Guide for Beginners. You can also check out this article thatdiscusses if plaster of Paris is flammable. Below is a step-by-step instruction on how to mix hydrocal. Hydrocal and ultracal sets quickly. Take note that plaster that does not slough off is vital when it comes to making long life scenery. It might add up over many castings applied to a significant layout, but I'd bet it doesn't add up to more than maybe five or six pounds once it is dry and in place on most layouts. While we strive to provide quality information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. . Take note that hydrocal has a high green strength which allows it to lessen breakage during removal of the casting from the molds. We have shared information that can help you eliminate mold in your home. They just re-package the same materials you can buy elseware in bulk. wow, always a lot of info on this forum! 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