questions... how may firings do you get out of one of your hydroperm-fiberglass molds. and I'm mistified by the fiberglass. Not boat fiberglass? I didn't know there was a difference. Where should I look for the right stuff?
Thanks Liam
I recently did 12 panels all on the same mold, should be able to do that and more.
Why are you mistified by the fiberglass? I didn't say not boat fiberglass, I said "1/32 chopped/milled fiber"
US Gypsum only rates Hydroperm to 1000 deg. by adding a "binder" you can go much higher, I have taken molds to 1415, but remember, the temps I quote are on my digital pyrometer, (which I believe to be accurate.)
If you read any of the molding/casting books, for glass or metal, there are refractory mold materials and binders and while not the same, they work together to accomplish what we need to do the job. Just be really careful and not get your ratio of binder to plaster too high.
And as long as you are concerned with mold strength, how many firings, don't make your mold too "wet", make it a drier mold and they last longer, my experience.
Good luck, need help, write again, have no trepidations, mix it up and dig in!!
"1/32 chopped/milled fiber should be available at any fiberglass shop, which may be a repair facility also. I get mine from "Eastpointe fiberglass, in Eastpointe , MI, (used to be East Detroit until they wanted to secede from the name a while back) It is made by Fibertech, do a search and see if they have a website or distributor in your area. the stuff is like flour, and dangerous as anything else silica like to breath.
I need to find this stuff, where do I go? Don't know your area, search the boat guys, just don't get cabosil, way expensive.
Read those and Fenton's Book, and Reynold's book, if you like reading, if not, to borrow a phrase, "JUST DO IT"
Too much work.... and doesn't hold up and not as quick...
for an antique bent glass lamp, 18" dia., 6 panel size lamp, I use a good size handful to whatever plaster it takes to mix. Guess I will have to do a video on this!! Little joke there.Moon
With this mix, you can get a couple of dozen firings as long as you don't make the plaster mix too soupy to start with, with experience comes knowledge, just make a mold, you will learn each time you make one till its right, then you will never forget how you did it.
I am open in February to come to Texas and teach a brief seminar for expenses and a small stipend, are you near the water?
Thanks a bunch Liam
InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.