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casting papier mache



 
 
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  #1  
Old November 4th 06, 07:58 PM posted to alt.sculpture,rec.crafts.misc,rec.arts.theatre.stagecraft
Ned Sneed
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Posts: 1
Default casting papier mache

Hello all!

I am looking to cast a prop for the band I work for: it's an oversized
microphone made of papier mache. Basically a pinata that can be smashed
to bits by our singer. I know how to make the original positive and
plaster mold, but I am wondering if there is a way to cast papier mache
into the mold, much like the slip-casting that our ceramics friends do.
I want to make multiple copies of this monstrous mic. I am thinking it
will be about 3 feet long (Shure SM58, for those who want to know) and
hollow, and smashable.

Any advice (other than abandonment of the project) is very much
appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

Ned

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  #2  
Old November 4th 06, 09:09 PM posted to alt.sculpture,rec.crafts.misc,rec.arts.theatre.stagecraft
Gary Waller
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Posts: 3
Default casting papier mache

How come you get to have all the fun!?!?

There used to be a product made by Amaco called Melody Mache - I had some
and never used it. Anyway - it is called sculptamold now and it would seem
to fit the bill, especially if you dont want a learning curve on paper
mache. Dick Blick carries it- http://www.dickblick.com/zz331/04/

Get some wet potters clay (cheap and reusable) to shape the microphone, save
money by backfilling with styrofoam or plastic, so the skin of your sculpt
is about 1 inch or so thick. Now this will dryout and crack if your ar not
careful, so put a plastic overnight, etc. The next stage is plaster, ideally
strengthened with fiber, make a mulitpiece shell over the clay about 3/4
inch thick - you have to avoid undercuts, otherwise when you pull the cast
out, it will snag onto the cast. The plaster will not stick to wet clay. The
type of clay, fiber and plaster will probably depend on what the store you
pick everything up at carries - most ceramic supply shops will carry all
three items.

As far as casting, the blurb on sculptamold says this is possible, so follow
their directions. You might need a murphies oil soap as a release between
the plaster and mache. It would be easier to cast two halves, then patch
them together before painting, etc.

The other way is to build on an armature, like they build pinatas, but this
would take some time. If you are lucky, there may be a pinata shop near to
you who could make them for a lot less trouble.



"Ned Sneed" wrote in message
ps.com...
Hello all!

I am looking to cast a prop for the band I work for: it's an oversized
microphone made of papier mache. Basically a pinata that can be smashed
to bits by our singer. I know how to make the original positive and
plaster mold, but I am wondering if there is a way to cast papier mache
into the mold, much like the slip-casting that our ceramics friends do.
I want to make multiple copies of this monstrous mic. I am thinking it
will be about 3 feet long (Shure SM58, for those who want to know) and
hollow, and smashable.

Any advice (other than abandonment of the project) is very much
appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

Ned



  #3  
Old November 4th 06, 09:19 PM posted to alt.sculpture,rec.crafts.misc,rec.arts.theatre.stagecraft
Gary Waller
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Posts: 3
Default casting papier mache

Here is a sculptor who works in paper mache (now in jewellery and bronze and
resin.
http://www.sergiobustamante.com.mx/

His pieces sell for thousands of $.


  #4  
Old November 4th 06, 09:52 PM posted to alt.sculpture,rec.crafts.misc,rec.arts.theatre.stagecraft
Andrew Werby
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Posts: 49
Default casting papier mache

[I've had best luck building papier mache over positive forms, rather than
trying to get it to fill molds. Just build your form in clay, then cover it
with light plastic (dry-cleaner's drapery bags work well) as a moisture
barrier and release agent before applying the glue-soaked newspaper strips.
When it's dry, section it to get it off the form, and reassemble it hollow
with more strips over the joins. I use white aliphatic resin glue (aka
Elmer's) instead of wheat paste - it dries easier, doesn't moulder, and the
bugs and vermin don't like eating it as much.]

Andrew Werby
www.unitedartworks.com


"Ned Sneed" wrote in message
ps.com...
Hello all!

I am looking to cast a prop for the band I work for: it's an oversized
microphone made of papier mache. Basically a pinata that can be smashed
to bits by our singer. I know how to make the original positive and
plaster mold, but I am wondering if there is a way to cast papier mache
into the mold, much like the slip-casting that our ceramics friends do.
I want to make multiple copies of this monstrous mic. I am thinking it
will be about 3 feet long (Shure SM58, for those who want to know) and
hollow, and smashable.

Any advice (other than abandonment of the project) is very much
appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

Ned



  #5  
Old November 4th 06, 10:58 PM posted to alt.sculpture,rec.crafts.misc,rec.arts.theatre.stagecraft
teiresias1635
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Posts: 1
Default casting papier mache

Consider using "Specialist" which is the same stuff medical
professionals make plaster casts with. You can buy it at medical supply
stores. It makes a very satisfying "crunch" when you break it.

Ned Sneed wrote:
Hello all!

I am looking to cast a prop for the band I work for: it's an oversized
microphone made of papier mache. Basically a pinata that can be smashed
to bits by our singer. I know how to make the original positive and
plaster mold, but I am wondering if there is a way to cast papier mache
into the mold, much like the slip-casting that our ceramics friends do.
I want to make multiple copies of this monstrous mic. I am thinking it
will be about 3 feet long (Shure SM58, for those who want to know) and
hollow, and smashable.

Any advice (other than abandonment of the project) is very much
appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

Ned

  #8  
Old November 5th 06, 10:01 PM posted to alt.sculpture,rec.crafts.misc,rec.arts.theatre.stagecraft
Andrew Werby
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 49
Default casting papier mache


"teiresias1635" wrote in message
...
Consider using "Specialist" which is the same stuff medical professionals
make plaster casts with. You can buy it at medical supply stores. It makes
a very satisfying "crunch" when you break it.


[Yes, but it still hangs together, because of all the gauze in it. It would
be a very frustrating pinata...]

Andrew Werby


Ned Sneed wrote:
Hello all!

I am looking to cast a prop for the band I work for: it's an oversized
microphone made of papier mache. Basically a pinata that can be smashed
to bits by our singer. I know how to make the original positive and
plaster mold, but I am wondering if there is a way to cast papier mache
into the mold, much like the slip-casting that our ceramics friends do.
I want to make multiple copies of this monstrous mic. I am thinking it
will be about 3 feet long (Shure SM58, for those who want to know) and
hollow, and smashable.

Any advice (other than abandonment of the project) is very much
appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

Ned



  #9  
Old November 6th 06, 05:22 AM posted to alt.sculpture,rec.crafts.misc,rec.arts.theatre.stagecraft
[email protected]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1
Default casting papier mache

I use a paper shredder. Mix up shredded newspaper with elmers glue and
make a mush like cookie dough for oatmeal cookies. Liberally coat the
inside of your mold with vaseline and then mash the paper mache into
the mold. You just have to build up a layer about a quarter inch
thick. Let this dry for a long time (days). If you wait long enough,
you'll be able to pull out the microphone, no problem. I made an
entire full size person this way. I don't think you'll have a problem.
You have to make the microphone in two halves of course and you can't
have any 'keying.' You've probably figured that out already though, if
you've made the mold.

Good luck,

Tom

Ned Sneed wrote:
Hello all!

I am looking to cast a prop for the band I work for: it's an oversized
microphone made of papier mache. Basically a pinata that can be smashed
to bits by our singer. I know how to make the original positive and
plaster mold, but I am wondering if there is a way to cast papier mache
into the mold, much like the slip-casting that our ceramics friends do.
I want to make multiple copies of this monstrous mic. I am thinking it
will be about 3 feet long (Shure SM58, for those who want to know) and
hollow, and smashable.

Any advice (other than abandonment of the project) is very much
appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

Ned


  #10  
Old November 6th 06, 09:18 AM posted to alt.sculpture,rec.crafts.misc,rec.arts.theatre.stagecraft
David Lee
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Posts: 2
Default casting papier mache

Ned Sneed wrote...
I am looking to cast a prop for the band I work for: it's an oversized
microphone made of papier mache. Basically a pinata that can be smashed
to bits by our singer. I know how to make the original positive and
plaster mold, but I am wondering if there is a way to cast papier mache
into the mold, much like the slip-casting that our ceramics friends do.
I want to make multiple copies of this monstrous mic. I am thinking it
will be about 3 feet long (Shure SM58, for those who want to know) and
hollow, and smashable.


I don't think that papier mâché will be a suitable material for your
purpose. Remember that the finished product will effectively be made of
cardboard and so is unlikely to be smashable. I would expect that a 3 foot
long model microphone would probably only be dented. What about the
material used to make breakaways? I'm thinking of the sugar-glass
replacement. Unfortunately I have no experience of the stuff myself so I
don't know whether it would be any use in this application.

David


 




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