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| Posted: Fri Apr 7th, 2006 07:17 am |
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Damien
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I learnt from my Tradesman Plasterer father many years ago that Salt and Milk were used to alter the set times for Plaster. I had forgotten which did what. While visiting him today I remembered to ask him, so here goes.
Salt will speed up the set time, the more salt the faster it sets (not much salt is needed).
Milk will slow the set time, the more you use the slower it sets (again not much is needed). (this was in the days before fancy milk varieties so just plain milk unless you want to experiment with other types).
The plaster i use is normal builders plaster available in Australia in 2kg, 6kg, 12kg and 40kg bags.
This type of plaster is much cheaper than Hobby shop plaster, by adding a little Salt it suit our purpose well.
Try a few small batches to determine your requirements. Don't throw these away use them on your layouts.
If casting tunnel portals or rockery. i'd suggest a fast set, if you want to carve cliff face etc a medium fast set would be better doing a small section at a time.
Hope this is useful.
Cheers.
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| Posted: Fri Apr 7th, 2006 08:55 am |
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jpguest
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Thanks Damien, that information will be very useful. 
For the plaster, is the plaster readily available from Bunnings?
Thanks.
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| Posted: Fri Apr 7th, 2006 09:19 am |
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Damien
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Yes i get mine from Bunnings in the builders section
D
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| Posted: Fri Apr 7th, 2006 09:27 am |
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Paladin
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| Joined: | Tue Jan 24th, 2006 |
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Thanks Damien
My father also used milk to retard the setting time of Plaster of paris. This is very helpfull when working with larger areas.
I had not heard of using salt as an excellorant, I find POP goes of pretty quick on its own.
When using milk 5% to 10% seems to work for myself. I have had others suggest that the milk will go sour and smell, but I have never noticed or smelt it.
Paladin
PS This may be a Aussie thing ?
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Don McL
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| Posted: Fri Apr 7th, 2006 12:08 pm |
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| Posted: Fri Apr 7th, 2006 02:23 pm |
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Tileguy
| Joined: | Tue Jan 24th, 2006 |
| Location: | Warba, Minnesota USA |
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Vinegar will also retard the set time of plaster
Baking Soda will accelerate the set time.
Very little of either is required.
These also work with cement products for those of you using grout in your scenery.
____________________
Todd
This Space For RENT!!!
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