Need some starter's info on plaster/metal working

[Blue]

Ok well I did a small amount of googling and I think I was left more confused then before i started looking.

My father used to do a lot of glass work and had friends who did a lot of other kinds of sculpture (From about the time I was born until i was maybe 9 or 10). These people have long since moved away and out of my life (i'm 25 now) and I really want to make some valid attempts at working with some sculpture mediums. Specifically, metal working and Plaster casting.

In my room I have a statue of a plaster cast of my own fist from when i was 11 years old, as well as one of my father's from that time. It is pretty cool and I think they have sparked my obsession with hands. I have a few ideas I want to attempt in sculpture that up till now I could only do on paper.

What is the easiest and most economical way to get my start in Metal working and Plaster casting? I've found these tiny kits to cast a baby's hand in hobby shops, but that isn't enough material for a good mold and rather expensive.

Where can i get a cheap (medium bulk maybe?) sack of the rubber molding? Plaster seems to be the easier part of the equation as I've found it in home depot and lows for almost nothing. I want to make a few molds so quantity counts. That and I need a good resource for how to make casts of hands, faces and the like. I've seen a few methods of mold making via google but nothing as definitive or specific to what I am trying to do.

As far as metal working, It seems everything I need is at my local hardware store... but i need some sort of guide to safety precautions, necessary equipment and the like. Metal work, from what I've seen, is the more dangerous of the two sculpting methods and I don't want to get hurt or burn down my house.

So any insight you have would really be helpful. My end goal is to build a sculpture combining both metal and plaster casting. Something like a hand holding a chain to start. Or something close depending what is possible.

Thanks for your help guys. :)

[Blue]

Well if this isn't the right section for this, perhaps a mod can move this to an appropriate forum?

[fruitdot]

I'd love to help, but unfortunately I have no real experience working with metal or casting. Good luck though, I'm sure someone on this forum has the answers to your questions!

[TeaMonster]

Hi Blue,
I'm no expert on metal working sorry.

I did find in one of my searches for materials that you can buy silicone rubber
by the gallon from a chemical manufacturer.
The company I found is UK based Bently Chemicals. Im sure there are world wide equivalents.
Good luck and take care, can be nasty stuff follow all safety precautions.

Body castiing is alginate I think, try special effects studios for info :)

[VulgarDragon]

for life casting, here is a link to some products:

http://www.smooth-on.com/Lifecasting/c1240/index.html

http://www.polytek.com/products/alginate.html

I have only little experience with casting, but I am planning to do more of that in the future soon. No metalworking experience here, sorry!

[clifcarver]

The hardware variety of plaster is very useful but may not be the best alternative for finished reproductions - not if you wish to sell them. For those you might want to use yellow (architectural) hydrocal. It is available from drywall supply specialists at a lower price than white hydrocal sold in clay or art supply houses. The yellow comes from using iron sulfite and the product is very strong.

Some mold making basics -
http://www.hirstarts.com/moldmake/moldmaking.html

inexpensive silicone alternative recipes:

1) direct - use the hardware clear silicone directly from the tube for simple things
(watch the fumes, strong acetic acid smell, ventilate or do it near an open window),
use circular motions and avoid air bubbles
sticks so you need a release agent such as petroleum jelly mixed with camp fuel,
for everything except oil based clay and you might want to do your final smoothing with olive oil to improve release

2) brush on silicone - same silicone but mix:
a) an equal part of camp or naptha fuel
b) a dab of glycerine
c) a drop of any type of acrylic paint
working time about ten minutes, sets in 1/2 hour, first coat thin, use less camp fuel after a couple of coats to build it thicker, last coat of direct silicone will act like a mother mold and so you will not need a plaster mother mold for things less than 12 inches or so
less sticky but needs a release agent for everything except oil based clay, use alchohol for the final smoothing though, it will release while putting on the second coat if you use oil


to begin direct metal working
try copper or aluminum and solder
you can get sheets, wire of various thicknesses, and tubing
and soldering is easier to master than welding
for info on casting metals you can join a discussion on yahoo groups
look for the casting hobby group

Clifton
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