A plaster question

[wildturkeycall]

 I saw a show on T.V. called "How It's Made" and i saw something that gave me an idea. They used a plaster that dissolved in water after the cast was made when molding rings. I wondered if anyone knew what type of plaster would do this. I wanted to cast a turkey head so the hairs would stay imbedded in the plaster once the head was removed. Then once cast, dissolve the plaster and have an artificial head with all the hairs intact.Was just an idea I thought would be worth and at least fun to try!

[Ravenson]

I think it is called investment plaster and is used manly by jewelers.   I have neever used it I also seem to remember that it cost more than normal plaster.  You could try finding it at a jewelry supply house.  Hope this helps If you find out more about it please post and let us know.

Jeff

[Jknuth]

what it does, and all plaster does really is break down at 1300 degrees

at that temp it turns soft when it cools.
That is a component when I make the hollow cores on my bronze castings.

[bill@hogheaven]

Mold your head in RTV. Macerate for awhile. Clean out the head & wash mold. The hairs & feathers will stay in the RTV. Cast with a urethane plastic, the hair etcc will trasfer to your cast. We do it with hog noses frequently.

[wildturkeycall]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the replies. This site is great. I don't know where else you can go and get this kinda help and info without payin out the a$$. Its like a big brotherhood with everyone lookin out for each other.

[John C]

Make a two piece plaster of paris mold, make the mold about  two  inches thick on each side. You need to use DAWN DISH SOAP on the mold flange to the second side does not stick to the first side.

 allow the head to sit in the mold a couple days, this will slip all the hairs and feathers out of the skin.

Clean the head out well.

Now clamp together for a week so the mold dries and the flange does not warp.


Now simply pour Chicago 501 Casting latex  into the mold. You will get some settling. refill as needed.

After about four hours pour the excess out, and allow the the head to dry  until the next day.

Using wood wedges pry yhe mold open, this is why  you make it thick, the latex has picked up all the details and the plaster has pulled all the water from the latex.

Work your way around the mold to release the head.

Now you have a 100% accurate cast and the hoars and feathers have tranfered to the cast.

You get a lot of and I mean a lot of tranfer of feathers and hair but the mold is reusable, I have made as many os four really nice heads, before the hoar and feathers are lost.

Its cheaper than RTV, does the same thing last the cast last forever, no bugs to worry about either.

Other latex will not work, it must be Chicago 501   and the one gallon at about $50.00 goes a long long way. I have cast some were around 10 heads and only used 1/3 of a gallon,

[Rick Carter]

I think one trade name for investment plaster is "Crystobalite". That was Y E A R S ago. Jewelers use it to mold small objects and then force molten silver or gold into it with a broken arm sling.

[Lisa M]

Mold your head in RTV. Macerate for awhile. Clean out the head & wash mold. The hairs & feathers will stay in the RTV. Cast with a urethane plastic, the hair etcc will trasfer to your cast. We do it with hog noses frequently.

Go say that in a quilting forum Bill...they'd drop their needles!  "Mold MY HEAD?!?!  Does he mean fungi mold or model mold?  Macerate?  ROT THE FLESH OFF MY HEAD?!?  HOW am I going to clean out my head when it's MY HEAD?!?  I NEED MY HEAD!!!  I don't have any feathers on my head...cast it with plastic?!?  I guess if I cleaned it out I would need a cast on it!  I HAD a nose job!  I don't have a hog nose anymore!" 

Don't know why I had a non-taxidermy response to that...lol...just made me laugh...maybe my head already is cleaned out?!?  Might just be sleep deprivation.