DN> greybeard spake thus: DN> DN> > IN process of making mold now, water tank, actual dimensions about 1 inch DN> > across and equally as high, wood tank,but I need more than one and standing DN> > downstairs at the mill scribing the board lines isn't what I want to do. DN> > Ok, wood form made, but now comes the question, what medium to mold them in? DN> > I'm leaning toward hydrocal, cheap and easy to work with, even after it's DN> > cast. They won't be touched once they're in place, part of the scenery, in DN> > out of the way places. Not elevated, they stand on squat poured DN> > foundations, elevation comes from the hill they're on, above the residence DN> > they serve. Hydrocal good? Resin? (IF resin, that means I've gotta make a DN> > plug to fill part of it, that would be a lot of resin.) DN> DN> So why do model railroaders automatically think "Hydrocal (R)(TM)" when DN> they think of casting things? DN> DN> Use ordinary plaster (plaster of Paris); it's cheaper, available
Hydrocal in 80lb bags is as cheap (if not cheaper) than plaster of Paris. *Serious* model railroaders don't buy the silly little cartons of Hydrocal from Woodland Scenics :-). I got me a big bag of the stuff from a 'local' masonary supply place and have it sitting in a moisture tight bucket (originally meant to hold Chlorine tablets for pool cleaning).
DN> everywhere (no need to go to a hobby store) and works just as well for DN> most applications. Sure, it may not be quite as rock-hard as the more DN> expensive stuff, but since you say it won't be handled, no problemo. DN> Takes paint extremely well. DN> DN> As the other reply said, just make sure you have a stretchy-enough mold. DN> Either RTV or urethane ought to work OK here. DN> DN> One trick I learned: to prevent the inevitable bubbles, brush the mold DN> with alcohol (rubbing alcohol is fine, or isopropyl) before casting. DN> This wets the mold so bubbles can't form. DN> DN> DN> -- DN> To the arrogant putzes at NBC: DN> DN> Do we call the country Italia? Is its capital Roma? DN> Were previous Olympics held in Moskva, Muenchen or Athine? DN> Do we call it the "Shroud of Torino"? DN> DN> No! DN> DN> So learn to speak English already and call it Turin. DN> DN> - from someone's blog DN>
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