I was making some rock molds, and also needed some garden stuff at Home Depot. Rather than a separate trip to the LHS to pay exhorbitant prices for WS lightweight hydrocal, I thought I would get some plaster of Paris at HD cheaper. When I originally did scenery 10 years ago, I recalled getting five gallon buckets of the stuff for the cheaper than the milk carton of WS. They didn't carry plaster anymore! The guy suggested that joint compound, premixed, etc. would do the same thing. I have used it for roads, but thought I would try spreading it my WS rock molds. It doesn't work. Joint compound must be spread thin to avoid cracking and sitting in the rock mold, it developed very big cracks. Also, I used the elastormeric stuff, as I know the regular stuff really cracks! Anyway, for rock molds, its some kind of plaster, but I want to find a less expensive source.
Hey, Up here in NJ there's a chain of craft stores called Pearl Paints.They have 25lbs boxes of hydrocal/stone.Last time was $27.10.I think mopst of the better craft stores carry it for people that sculpt(?).I use hydrostone.Same as cal,but you get more time before it hardens.At about $1.00 per lb,you can't go wrong.Mike
That's strange Jeff, because I saw 25lb bags of Plaster of Paris at my HD last weekend. It must be a local decision whether or not to stock it. BTW: I picked up some joint compound to fix a section of my ceiling where the skim coating crumbled away. I was surprised that the JC cracked in the areas I spread it on thickly. I can only imagine how much worse it is when making rock molds!
Local HD store managers have more autonomy than I would have thought. I know one personally, and he does make decisions about what to carry and what to drop. There are three HDs equidistant from my home--and they are considerably different in stock, quality, and neatness. Of course, there are two Lowe's about half the distance, so they get my weekly trips for the hougithingimwhatises.
Today, I went back to do some plaster rock molds with some WS lightweight hydrocal I ended up buying. In the process, I cleaned out the joint compound from the molds that had cracked. When they came out in small pieces, I was still able to use them as rock moldlets as small fill in areas between larger molds! So, all was not lost on that experiment.....
Good to hear Jeff. You need to come down here and start some scenery on my pike.LMAOOO I have 60% of the main down. The yard is back up and running. I installed the MT magnets on the west end ( right end). Now I have to go through all my cars and gauge the height of the coupler hoses and paint them thar suckers black. That is going to be a fun task,and throw more weight in them also. I can hold about 110 cars in Brewer yard ( milwaukee) I am in need of other " railroad brains" as to figure out what to do with the island . I know I can run a 21" radius on the outside main. I was wanting to try to super evelvate also...Hmmm I know this guy, in Arlington I got that idea from...adios wyatt
Wyatt, I am looking for the opportunity to go to Thornton and see your layout. How is the patch job GP-38 doing in its new home?
I am amazed. I purchased a 25 pound bag of Plaster of Paris at Home Depot a few months ago for my rock molds. I was not aware that Pearl carries Hydrocal. I will look when next I purchase chalk.
