detenten
Active Member
I'm not finding a direct answer by Google, so wanted to just ask!
Is there a difference in performance or safety of buying expensive "casting" plasters vs. using the giant bags of stuff from Home Depot?
Most of my uses will be making molds that I use 1-5 times to make latex appliances (klingon forehead ridges is my current project). I'll also be casting a plaster bust of my head in an alginate mold (with plaster bandage mother shell) soon, too.
I ask, because my local art supply store charges a veritable arm and a leg for plaster. I just paid $28.95+tax for 5# of SculptureHouse brand Hydrocal and it didn't come in a solid gold box.
Home Depot sells 25# for $15.
I don't know if I'm an idiot for paying 10x as much, or an idiot for thinking the stuff that's 1/10th the cost is just as good.
I have asked around my artist and hippie-friend circles and oddly can't seem to find anyone who buys anything other than the Home Depot stuff, though I thought for sure New Orleans would have a brick-and-mortar establishment that sells fancy plaster (since shipping would be cheaper if I just pledged my firstborn son to UPS).
Thanks!
Is there a difference in performance or safety of buying expensive "casting" plasters vs. using the giant bags of stuff from Home Depot?
Most of my uses will be making molds that I use 1-5 times to make latex appliances (klingon forehead ridges is my current project). I'll also be casting a plaster bust of my head in an alginate mold (with plaster bandage mother shell) soon, too.
I ask, because my local art supply store charges a veritable arm and a leg for plaster. I just paid $28.95+tax for 5# of SculptureHouse brand Hydrocal and it didn't come in a solid gold box.
Home Depot sells 25# for $15.
I don't know if I'm an idiot for paying 10x as much, or an idiot for thinking the stuff that's 1/10th the cost is just as good.
I have asked around my artist and hippie-friend circles and oddly can't seem to find anyone who buys anything other than the Home Depot stuff, though I thought for sure New Orleans would have a brick-and-mortar establishment that sells fancy plaster (since shipping would be cheaper if I just pledged my firstborn son to UPS).
Thanks!