Can anyone tell me the difference between Hydrocal and Lightweight Hydrocal ? ------------------ Residing in BNSF's St. Croix Subdivision near Trempealeau, WI
What would Hydrocal be called in England? ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.ac-models.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery Alan's European Gallery Alan's British Steam Gallery
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Alan: What would Hydrocal be called in England? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> It's a product processed by U.S. Gypsum for use in their industrial plasters and gypsum cements. Hydrocal White Gypsum Cement is used for casting. There is a company here in the colonies that packages a Lightweight Hydrocal that we have been using to cast strata rock, etc., that works very well. I guess you would say gypsum or plaster Alan. I am told that you can fined Hydrocal in masonry supply stores, but I have become curious about the difference between the two forms. Didn't mean to get so long winded . P.S. When you finish staining the castings they look very, very real. Easy to set the shades to what ever local you are modeling. Great stuff. ------------------ Residing in BNSF's St. Croix Subdivision near Trempealeau, WI [This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 01 June 2000).]
Alan, can you get Woodland products? They have Hydocal. ------------------ Keep on Track'N Harold Riley www.phcomputing.com
Yup! we can get W.Scenics, (what WOULD we do without their scenic items?) haven't seen hydrocal though. Sound like what we call plaster of paris. I also use Pollyfilla (sold for filling holes in walls, etc. from DIY shops.) ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.ac-models.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery Alan's European Gallery Alan's British Steam Gallery
I use Sculta-mold from the art supply store. Way less messy than Hydrocal ------------------ Keep on Track'N Harold Riley www.phcomputing.com
Nope! Hydrocal and plaster of paris are not the same thing. Hydrocal sets up to become stone hard, will be stronger than plaster of paris, and weigh more. A good masonry supply store is one place to get hydrocal. Ask a local wall plaster craftsman or a drywall installer where he would buy it. Beware you might have to but a 50 lb. sack of the stuff. I am not sure what you are wanting Hydrocal for? Casting items, rock casting for scenery or whatever? But if you are going to use the old paper towel dipped in Hydrocal put over forms or crumpled up newspaper bit. I would advise against it. 1) When you are done the Hydrocal will weigh a ton. 2) Why not foam insulation board? A lot lighter and not near as messy as the paper towel and Hydrocal bit. ------------------ Let's Go Run Trains MARK
I am not lookin to obtain any hydrocal, but I see it mentioned all the time in magazines, etc. and wondered what it was What better place to find out than TrainBoard Thanks. ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.ac-models.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery Alan's European Gallery Alan's British Steam Gallery
I haven't seen hydrocal available here in Canada other than small quantities in the Woodland Scenics section of a couple of hobby stores. It doesn't say if it is regular or lightweight. I use Polyfilla and then a layer of Poly Underlay which is a floor levelling plaster. It is easy to work with and sets rock hard as I am sure hydrocal must. The Polyfilla covers the cardboard webbing I use and then the Polyunderlay fills in any of those unsightly square dips that carboard webbing often creates. The Polyunderlay can be shaped and textured as you wish. It dries to a medium grey colour. The structure ends up light weight and I am very happy with it Robin http://members.xoom.com/Matthyro/index.html
