search  current discussion  categories  materials - misc 

fiberglass

updated fri 20 nov 98

 

Donna Alcorn on wed 18 nov 98

Hello, I was wondering,, I have made a latex mold and am starting on the
plaster mother mold. Instead of using burlap strips in the last layer, can I
use fiberglass tape [the kind you use in drywalling]? Or can I use material
strips? Does it have to be burlap? Also I've read that you can use
fiberglass streening in clay for strength. especially in sculpture. It
helps support while wet, than bends with the clay shrinkage and can be fired.
Anyone know any reason why I can't use fiberglass tape? I have a great big
box of the stuff and the wheels are turning , and woods smoking!
Thanks a bunch, Donna

LOWELL BAKER on wed 18 nov 98

I would avoid fiberglass in plaster because it can form some pretty
serious splinters. There are also other health concerns with the use
of fiberglass as with any other ceramic fiber. I think you the tape
does not conform very well to compound shapes in addition to the
health concerns.

I would advise you to consider poly fiber. You can get this stuff
from your local concrete/readymix contractor. A lifetime supply is
quite cheap. A small handful in your plaster it very strong. No
glass fiber, no splinters, if it makes you feel any better it is a
recycled material.

Lowell Baker
the University of Alabama

Darrell Gargus on thu 19 nov 98

I was told to use gauze, the kind that you buy in the fist aid section
at walmart and comes in rolls, for strips in plaster. It seems to have
worked alright. I haven't made plaster molds, but there was a demo on
them at school. Anyone else?
becky

Donna Alcorn wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hello, I was wondering,, I have made a latex mold and am starting on the
> plaster mother mold. Instead of using burlap strips in the last layer, can I
> use fiberglass tape [the kind you use in drywalling]? Or can I use material
> strips? Does it have to be burlap? Also I've read that you can use
> fiberglass streening in clay for strength. especially in sculpture. It
> helps support while wet, than bends with the clay shrinkage and can be fired.
> Anyone know any reason why I can't use fiberglass tape? I have a great big
> box of the stuff and the wheels are turning , and woods smoking!
> Thanks a bunch, Donna

John Rodgers on thu 19 nov 98

-- [ From: John Rodgers * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --

FIBERGLASS NO!! HEMP YES!!

When I build a mother mold of any significant sizee, I first put on an
initial thin layer of plaster, 2nd, I put into place over it a layer of
hemp fiber and work plaster into that. 3rd, I apply a finish layer that is
smoothed for ease of handling.

Hemp fiber can be bought from Polytek and others.

And no smart remarks from you other old Hippies about the hemp either....OK!
!! (LOL)

John Rodgers
In Alabama

-------- REPLY, Original message follows --------

Date: Wednesday, 18-Nov-98 09:06 AM

From: Donna Alcorn \ America On-Line: (WeAlcorns5)
To: Multiple recipients of list CLAYART \ Internet: (clayart@lsv.uky.
edu)

Subject: FIBERGLASS

----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Hello, I was wondering,, I have made a latex mold and am starting on
the plaster mother mold. Instead of using burlap strips in the last layer,
can I use fiberglass tape [the kind you use in drywalling]? Or can I use
material strips? Does it have to be burlap? Also I've read that you
can use fiberglass streening in clay for strength. especially in sculpture.
It helps support while wet, than bends with the clay shrinkage and can be
fired. Anyone know any reason why I can't use fiberglass tape? I have a
great big box of the stuff and the wheels are turning , and woods smoking!
Thanks a bunch, Donna


-------- REPLY, End of original message --------