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klinger_gw

Good non slumping mixes?

20 years ago

Hi, I have been taking sculpture lessons over the winter, mostly sculpting bodies from clay. My instructor would like to try using a different medium so is coming by to play in the mud with me. I usually start with a solid block of partly set up mix and carve down. He is used to building outwards with clay. I thought it wuld be fun to experiment with a mix we could use over an armiture and build out, if possible in one session to make some torsos. I am thinking maybe a cement, and silica mix with some admix, or latex paint. Any thoughts on the ratio, or other mixes?I don't have any metakaolin or silica fume, which I want to play with also, but pretty much every thing else.Any suggestions would be appreciated. We would likely want to do a project perhaps 2.5 feet high, so slump will be a factor.

Thanks for any suggestions,

Cindy

Comments (7)

  • 20 years ago

    Morning,Cindy.I'll try to answer this post and the one before.
    First,silica fume can be purchased in Burnaby.Try Universal Concrete Products,Target or Pacific on Boundary.For MK,try Univar in Richmond.A 55 lb bag was 41 dollars
    For a non-slumping mix,you're right.The two pozzolans here make it possible.I've worked on a ball,doing the whole surface in one go,and the mix won't fall off!!
    I use what I call "Mymud".Equal parts Portland and pottery silica sand(about 130 mesh);add 8% by weight of cement either SF or MK.I use only admix,no water,and fibres.I've used different fibres,and like Harbourite best.I get them from Pacific on Boundary.I use my mix in conjunction with detail mesh to get a lightweight product,like masks,balls,septic covers.
    A word of caution,though.This mix sets very quickly.In doing a 26 inch ball,The first part of the application is virtually dry when I complete the coverage,an hour or so!
    Good luck in your project.
    Cheers from here

  • 20 years ago

    add lime

  • 20 years ago

    Thanks guys , I appreciate the advise,
    Cindy

  • 20 years ago

    Good luck Cindy. I can't wait to see pics.
    Debbie

  • 20 years ago

    David-Quantify and qualify.How much lime and why.Saying "add lime"is simply too vague a reference.

  • 20 years ago

    Rick
    I can't really say because I use S type cement with lime already added. Try a bag, it cheap.
    I'm no expert on lime but it does make sticky non slumping concrete. I was adding my own lime but gave up a while back because the stuff is too caustic and I like to make final touches with my bare fingers.
    Lime is what makes stucco stick and not slump but it also weakens the concrete.
    But now almost all my work is with cryogenic perlite and regular Portland so I'm not really up on other recipes any more.
    I have finally moved from experimenting with recipes to actually turning out product I like.

    All I can say is try a bit of lime and see if it does what you want.:)

  • 20 years ago

    BTW Rick I owe you thanks.
    I never heard of Cryogenic Perlite until you posted about it and now I couldn't imagine doing what I do without it.
    I bought TEN bags. Now that is a lot of Perlite but I'm finding it's actually cheaper to use than sand.
    Now I use enough sand to give my product durability and if I need strength I do a strong sand liner inside my work. And because I use integrated color even if the softer Perlite gets chipped or scraped it can be repaired with a few strokes from a brass brush. The scrapes and chips just add character.

    I actually bought 50 brass brushes at the dollar store 2 for a dollar so I can include them when I sell a piece.

    Now I just need a few easy to make pieces that will actually earn a dollar.:)

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