F.A.Q.
Q. If the Algiform Slow Set is
setting too slowly for my purposes, is there any way to speed
it up?
A. If you find that your Algiform
Slow Set is too slow for you, you can add a small amount of
Algiform Regular Set to your mix;
anything between 10% and 20% will speed-it-up so that it will
set within 5-minutes (20% Regular Set) or 7-minutes (10% Regular
Set). Slow Set is not meant to be used in small quantities of
one-and-one-half-pounds or less. If you do that, it would take
more than 15 minutes to set. It is really meant for full head
molds, using two-and-a-half-pounds; and for larger portions of
the body, mixing up much more than two-and-a-half-pounds. Also,
the consistency of the mix (proportion of Algiform to water) makes
a big difference. When we mix-it-up here, we add enough Algiform
to the water so that when we lift our mixer out of the Algiform,
it does not immediately drip or even sag off of the mixer. This
is a "thick" mix. So, the consistency (viscosity) in
combination with the volume of the batch, is what will give you
your eight minutes of working time. If you are using the material
in a thinner, more fluid form (unlike what I have described here),
you need to add some regular set to the mix at the end, just before
it reaches the consistency you like. It doesn't take much regular
set to change the working time significantly. When working alone,
I need the full working time of slow-set to complete a full head
mold (including hair etc.), which uses about two-and-one-half-pounds
of Slow Set (depending on the size of the model), mixed to a thick
consistency.
Q. How will shipping charges for my order be determined?
A. All shipping charges are based on actual U.P.S. or Fed-X rates.
We only charge you what we are charged by the carrier, plus $2.50
for handling ($15. handling to most international destinations,
as additional paperwork and shipping preparations are generally
involved ). No handling is charged on simple video orders, which
are shipped at a flat charge of $5.00 per video to anywhere in
the U.S. Shipping of videos to Canada by airmail is $10. To other
destinations outside the U.S., shipping for videos will be charged
according to U.S. postal airmail rates .
UPS charges $5. extra for non-standard containers (such as
the plastic barrels used for our Forton Sculptor Kit.) Whenever
UPS, Fed-X or the U.S. Postal Service levies additional charges
we must calculate that into our shipping charges.
Q. How soon will my order ship after it is placed?
A. Most orders ship within 24-48 hours; however, if we are
currently out-of-stock on an item, it may take longer. International
clients should allow an extra five days before shipping. This
allows us time to pack and ship the order, prepare the paperwork
etc.
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Q. What are some of the differences between a life-mold made
in
Algiform and one made in Ply-O-Life, and why might I choose
one over the other?
A. Algiform (alginate) is a skin-safe, water-based
mold-making
medium. Because it is water-based, the mold should be cast-
into on the same day as it is made; otherwise, evaporation of
the
water content will result in shrinkage, distortion and cracking
of
the mold. Following removal of the positive casting from the
mold, the mold must be discarded. It is therefore a "waste
mold."
Ply-O-Life (silicone rubber) is also skin-safe, but it
produces a
permanent rubber mold. Once cured, it is extremely stable
and
will last through many castings without deterioration.
Only materials that are compatible with moisture (such as plaster
and Forton etc.) can be cast
directly into an alginate mold.
However, in addition to plaster, Forton , and wax (etc.);
many
types of plastic resins may be cast directly into a Ply-O-Life
mold without even the need for a separator.
Algiform will release from hair much more easily than will
Ply-O-Life. A generous application of vaseline or cholesterol
hair conditioner must be applied to all areas of hair that
will be
will be included in a Ply-O-Life mold, including eyebrows,
eye-
lashes and temples. If, as is sometimes the case with very wiry
beards and coarse hair (even body hair), the hair cannot be made
to lie flat no matter how much vaseline is applied; these areas
should either be shaved or molded with Algiform , as the
hair
will become embedded in Ply-O-Life.
Cured Ply-O-Life will bond to fresh Ply-O-Life
; however, cured Algiform alginate will not bond
to fresh Algiform unless the surface is specially prepared
(see Studio Buzz for details
on "how to..."!)
Q. Approximately how much material is required
to make a full body
mold, excluding the head? (Don't ever attempt to include the head
in a full body mold! Always mold the head separately.)
A. Assuming that the model is a small adult (about 5-ft. tall)
we
can estimate the amount of the following materials that will be
required for each different type of mold:
Gypsona Plaster Bandage...............about
3 boxes (36 rolls: each, 6" X 5-yds. long) Approx. the same
amount is required, whether the bandage is used as a direct mold
or as a support shell for a mold made of either Ply-O-Life
orAlgiform.
Algiform Slow Set.....................about one 22-lb.
barrel
Ply-O-Life...............................at least 13 X
4-lb. kits (more, if the model is bigger.)
Q. Approximately how much material is required
to make a full
head mold?
A. Gypsona Plaster Bandage.....................3-4 rolls
(used only
as a support shell for Algiform or Ply-O-Life molds.)
Algiform Slow Set.......................about 2 1/2 to
3 pounds
Ply-O-Life.................................about 4-5 pounds
Q. How can one estimate the amount of material
required to fill
any specific mold?
A. A handy formula that we like to use is as follows:
"Width X Length X Depth (of mold) = Total Cubic Inches of
Material required to fill the mold."
(There are 231 cubic inches in one gallon of material.)
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Q. How much Algiform Slow Set is required to fill a
Simplaflex Leg Form?
A. Approx. three-quarters of a 22-lb barrel of Algiform
Slow Set is required to fill a Leg Form.
Q. What might inhibit the cure of
Ply-O-Life ?
A. We have identified three things which can adversely affect
the cure of Ply-O-Life:
1) Clays containing sulphur. Use only sulphur-free clays with
Ply-O-Life. We have Chavant sulphur-free clay available
for purchase at $5.00 per two-pound block.
2) Skin lotions containing aloe. Moisturizers that are compatible
with Ply-O-Life include Neutragena and Nivea.
We recommend that you test any other brands to determine their
compatibility with Ply-O-Life.
3) Some latex bald-caps. Again; we recommend that you
make a small test to determine compatibility.
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Q. Is there anything I can do to increase the "flow"
of Ply-O-Life?
A. You can add between 5% and 20% of our Silicone Fluid to
your Ply-O-Life to make it less viscous (more fluid). At $20.
per pound, it also extends your more expensive Ply-O-Life, and
gives it a little more working time.
Q. How much Forton is required to cast a positive in
a full body mold?
A. Approx. three-quarters of a Sculptor Kit of Forton is
sufficient to hollow-cast (with fiberglass reinforcing) a full
body mold.
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Q. How much biaxial fiberglass is required to reinforce a
full body cast in Forton ?
A. Four to five square yards of biaxial fiberglass is sufficient
to reinforce a full body cast in Forton.
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Q. Where can I get FGR-95 to use with the Forton Sculptors
Kit and how much will I need?
A. If you can't find FGR-95 at your local builders' supply
company, you can telephone U.S. GYPSUM at 1 (800) 621-9532 for
the name and phone number of your nearest distributor. If no distributor
can supply your needs, you can order FGR-95 from us (although
we do not include it on our price-list because, due to the heavy
shipping weight, it is generally more economical for you to obtain
it close to your own location).
You will need approximately 80-lbs. of FGR-95 for a Sculptors
Kit. We must re-package the FGR-95 in plastic shipping barrels
to ship it to you. Two barrels hold 80-lbs., and the cost is $1.00
per pound of FGR plus $10. per plastic barrel. So a shipment of
80-lbs. of FGR-95 would cost you $80. plus $20. (for two barrels);
plus the shipping cost which is determined by destination. Please
call us for an exact quote.
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Q. How should I thicken the Forton for hollow-casting?
A. When you are hollow-casting in Forton, we recommend
that you use cabosil to thicken the Forton for the "face
coat" (first layer of material laid-up against the interior
of the mold) so that it isn't too runny when you brush it into
the mold.
Cabosil is an extremely fine silica powder. You should wear
a dust mask when you are mixing it into the Forton , as
it is very light and sort of floats in the air, making it very
easy to accidentally inhale. Cabosil may be purchased from most
boat supply stores and most places selling plastic resins (for
which it is also used as a thickening agent.) It is quite inexpensive.
Add the cabosil to the face coat Forton after the components
have been mixed-in. You should add the cabosil slowly, observing
the gradual change in consistency, until it is something like
the consistency of mayonaise. For a good face coat mixture, the
Forton must be easily brushable, but not runny. If you
add too much cabosil, it will become thick and putty-like, and
you won't get good surface contact. There is a risk of trapping
air-pockets.
Once you have the correct consistenty, lay the thickened Forton
into the mold to a thickness of one-eighth of an inch. It
is not necessary to add cabosil to the Forton that is used
in the next layer to laminate fiberglass to the face coat.
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Q. What sort of pigments can I use with Forton ?
A. We recommend water-base pigments (although others may work
if you test them first). Pre-dispersed pigments are easier to
mix-in than are powdered pigments.
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Q. How much will a casting made in Reducit
shrink?
A. In one stage of reduction, your Reducit casting will
shrink
to about half of its original volume. This will
represent only
about 1/3 reduction in terms of its dimensional measurements
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Q. How do I prevent my broad, flat Reducit casting
from warping while it shrinks?
A. You will find the answer to this in paragraph five of the
section,"Casting your REDUCIT positive" in the
product information regarding Reducit that appears on this
website.
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Q. When is the best time to reach Mark Prent by telephone
regarding technical questions?
A. Mark Prent is generally available by telephone most Thursdays
and Fridays, from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.
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Q. What is the shelf life of Algiform, Reducit and
Ply-O-Life products?
A. Algiform Slow Set, Algiform Regular Set, and Reducit
all should be stored tightly closed and used within nine-months
of their purchase. Ply-O-Life should also be stored in
tightly closed containers, but it does not have a limited shelf-life
and seems to be useable almost indefinitely.
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Q. What is the policy regarding return of ordered materials?
A. Unopened materials are generally accepted for return within
ten days of delivery; however a 15% re-stocking fee is charged,
and the client is responsible for shipping fees. Videos will only
be accepted for return if the shrink-wrap has not been opened.
We will not accept return of custom-cut materials (such as
thermoplastics and fiberglass); nor can we accept return of special-order
items.
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Q. Can I use an electric kitchen mixer to mix Algiform
?
A. An electric kitchen mixer is not suitable for mixing any
of our materials. We recommend that you only use a Jiffy
Mixer attatched to a high-speed drill. Kitchen mixers
do not revolve at the speeds necessary to quickly and thoroughly
mix materials so that you can have adequate working time. Even
most battery-driven electric drills will not revolve at adequate
speeds to mix your materials in optimum time. Also, kitchen mixers
are designed to draw air into a mixture. Jiffy Mixers are
designed to exclude as much air as possible so that you will not
have a lot of air-bubbles trapped in your mold or casting.
Q. How can I make a container-type Algiform
Regular Set hand mold?
A. In order to create a mold of a single hand, a cylinder-type
of form can be made out of some flexible material (such as SIMPLAFLEX).
The diameter of a cylinder to accomodate an average size hand
would be about 5 1/2 to 5 3/4 inches. The length of the cylinder
should be about 12-inches to 13-inches, (to include the wrist
or slightly above the wrist.) If you have an above-average size
hand, or are holding an object, your cylinder will have to be
made larger in diameter, and you may have to use a longer cylinder.
You wil need anywhere from one-and one-half to two-pounds of ALGIFORM
Regular Set
for this size of cylinder.
The cylinder should be fitted with a disc, cut from the
same material and taped to the bottom, turning the cylinder into
a container. All of the seams should be very well-taped closed
in order to make the container leak-proof.
Test for the amount of material you will need, by almost
filling the cylinder with cool-to-cold water, and immersing your
hand in the water. Your hand will displace some of the water.
The water remaining in the cylinder after this displacement, will
represent the correct volume of water to use for your mold. This
volume of water should then be placed in a different container
for mixing with the ALGIFORM. Your cylinder should now be empty.
Adding the ALGIFORM to the water will not increase the volume.
Always use a medium-size JIFFY MIXER attatched to a high-speed
drill to mix your material. Add the ALGIFORM Regular Set
to the pre-measured water and mix as quickly as possible until
it is perfectly smooth. The consistency should be a little like
honey, somewhat thick but still pourable. Too liquidy a mix will
cause more air-bubbles to be in the material. Pour this immediately
into the cylinder and immerse your hand in it. Inititally, you
should move your hand around in the ALGIFORM mixture to prevent
air bubbles from staying trapped between your hand (fingers) and
the cylinder wall. Your fingers should never touch the cylinder.
The ALGIFORM will set within a minute or so (provided
that it took about one minute to mix and pour into the cylinder.)
Once the ALGIFORM is quite firm, you may remove your hand. Move
hand around, working it away from the mold so that air can work
its way down to the fingers in order to release the suction. To
unmold the ALGIFORM, just cut the taped seam. The cylinder can
later be re-taped to use again.
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Q. How should Ply-O-Life be used in conjunction
with Gord Smith's FX Smith methodology?
A. If you are using the FX Smith methodology
it is essential that you add 25-30% Silicone Fluid to your Ply-O-Life.
Otherwise, it will be extremely hard; and, when you push against
your "buttons" to facilitate release from the support
shell, you will bruise your model.
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