If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
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 |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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 |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
casting papier mache
|
#8
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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 |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Papier Mache Marvels | paula55 | Jewelry | 0 | January 6th 05 07:47 AM |
Papier mache | paula55 | General Crafting | 0 | January 5th 05 03:16 PM |
J-2R Casting machine Raffle | Ganoksin | Jewelry | 0 | December 16th 03 06:35 AM |
A new gallery for papier mache | eggsofbali | Marketplace | 0 | November 6th 03 10:14 PM |