ScissorsUsed to cut the top off the molding container, and is more convenient than the box cutter for some containers once the cut is started. A knife long enough to cut all the way through prevents tearing the mold. Long sharp knifeI found it necessary to cut and level the top of the mold so the cardboard holding the screws was level. Box knifeUsed to cut the molding container top off, and later cut the container away from the mold when you want to break the mold. When you're elbow deep in any project it can be hard to accurately judge time. Watch or TimerYou'll need to time the molding process fairly carefully to obtain good results, so keep a timer handy. The cups are useful for scooping powder out of the supply buckets. Therefore you'll need containers suitable for holding the pre-measured materials. Containers & cupsYou'll want to stage your materials, measuring both the water and powder into separate containers, and then mix them together. I'm using a postal scale that can measure in tenths of ounces up to 10 pounds, which is the range needed for small hand molds and casts. However, the working range of the mixture is pretty good, and in a crunch I believe suitable result can be obtained from volume measurements which will be detailed below. ScaleThese materials settle and compress so they should be mixed by weight. Also note that the plaster is abrasive and may damage the beater. Don't plan on mixing this by hand as there isn't enough time. A regular mixer should work, and for large batches a jiffy mixer (paint mixing drill attachment) is recommended. Tools MixerI used a cordless drill and one egg beater. Small pieces of cardboardUsed to hold the screws in place while the casting cures. Can also be used to mount the finished piece onto another project. Machine screws and nutsIf you don't want to break the mold, you have to have something sticking out of the casting once it's hardened in order to pull it out. By the time you get it mixed it should be at a comfortably warm temperature. Hot waterA cold mold is uncomfortable, so start with hot water. The only difference was that when I needed to cut away the mold, the plastic juice bottle and 2 liter bottles were a little harder to cut. Mold containersI used 1/2 gallon jugs, 1/2 gallon juice bottles, and 2 liter pop bottles. This also came from FX Supply, as item HYD, and is a 20 minute set plaster. I used a particular formula called Hydrostone which features high strength, and high detail. Casting PlasterMany plasters are available for casting, you can even use the inexpensive local plaster you find in any hardware store. I used ALG-390 from Special Effect Supply Corporation, which is a 3 minute set alginate. It dries and shrinks over time, so it's not suitable for more than a few castings. Captures impressive detail, while being flexible enough to prevent entrapment of the hand. Materials AlginateThis molding compound forms a rubbery elastomer within minutes of mixing with water. This is a Mother's day present I can really sink my hands into! I decided I would try this out for mother's day - if I make four molds, one for each child, then make three castings from each mold I would have enough for a complete set of four for their mother and each grandmother. Since that time I've wanted to do it for my children, but for various reasons never did so. My coworker didn't pay to have his hand cast, but instead did a little research online, and for Christmas obtained all the materials and did casts for all his nieces and nephews. After a few minutes, they would wriggle their hands free, and the operator of the booth would pour a plaster compound into the mold, and have the customer return in 30 minutes for the finished piece. A smaller container was used for children's hands. The operator would, for a nominal fee, mix a container of goop into which the customer would insert their hand, or occasionally couples would insert their clasped hand. One of the engineers I work with was fascinated by a hand casting booth at the 2005 Ann Arbor Art Fairs.
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