Hi, I have intentions of making a life cast using alginate and want to pour melted chavant clay into it. It this possible? I've tried it with rubber molds but never with alginate. Also, any tips on melting say four or five pounds of chavant without burning it? or can I pour it in stages? Thanks
Ive poured chavant into some big molds before (including alignate and was never an issue) and have done it in stages as the pot was only big enough for a couple of blocks at a time.
Main thing is to chop the blocks up as best you can and dont have the heat too high but high enough so that it melts evenly and keep stiring it (dont let it sit for too long) so that it doesnt start to burn and stays liquid. Also wear good gloves! A mate was pouring some while in his studio and it went all over his hand and came out with 2nd degree burns!
Also if its a big mold it will stay hot/warm in the mold (even the plaster shell was hot and starting to warp in thin areas) for a while so leave it in the cold to let it set faster or you will have to leave it a while and if its a solid piece it will be HEAVY! So maybe try slushing the clay around and when its thick enough to modify fill the rest with a hard foam. Hope that helps
That's excellent. Thankyou very much. Love the foam idea.
If you're using alginate, you should try and pour it as soon as possible as it will start to shrink straight away (you can store it in cold water to preserve it a little longer). Because of that, I'd avoid pouring in stages.
The ideal way to melt clay is in a double-skinned pot. I believe some people have used slow-cookers to prevent over-heating and burning.
I can vouch for the 2nd degree burns on the hand... nasty stuff very painfulkwalsh0000 said:
make sure you wear gloves at all times
Chucky, I don't know if you've poured yet, but I was watching BrickInTheYard's videos and they had a Melting Monster Clay video that was really helpful: Special Effects Tutorial: pouring lifecasts in Monster Clay - YouTube.
They recommended brushing it in, in layers versus a large pour due to clay shrinkage when cold. I myself am shopping for a crock pot to melt some NSP to brush into a cast.
Good luck,
Makrel
Thanks. I saw that video. The bity videos are great aren't they?Makrel Johnson said:
I always melt my Monster Clay in the microwave. It's the recommended method
I have recently been using a rice cooker to keep it warm and when turned on it actually melts it quite nicely! Could be another option too.
A rectangular double-broiler works the best.... If the clay gets too hot, or over heated? The properties of the clay will be altered. And you will notice the difference once you start sculpting on the clay cast later.
When working with an alginate negative? Prep and melt the clay in advance... Have it ready .. And melted down prior to the life cast.
A double-broiler will be able to keep the clay how you like it while you do your life cast ... And will add to you being able to take your time with it... Instead of trying to compete with the drying out of the alginate.
Do be careful of the heat.. And get your self some gloves to wear when dealing with the hot clay.
Removing the back off of a cheap stool... And flipping it over upside down on the floor works pretty darn well too... The upside down stool will be able to support the upside down life cast when working with it. Better than a bucket or a box.
Slushing works well, and if you end up filling the void with some rigid foam? Remember that having a pipe to center in the foam, and a board with a flange that fits the pipe will help you later to stand the casting up while sculpting on it. May want to wrap some duct tape around the exposed thread of that pipe in case rigid foam gets on the exposed end. Keeps the threads of the pipe clean.
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