06-29-2010, 08:08 PM
Josh, don't use hydrocal, a 98# bag of hydro-stone will cost $31.80 from Aardvark clay & supply. Hydrocal is rated at 4500psi, they have a product called Ultracal that has a dry compressive strength of 6000 psi. They don't list the spec on Hydro-Stone, but Ive seen the spec sheet in the store and it is rated at 10,000 psi dry compressive strength. Any of them will shatter if dropped, but the Hydro-stone costs about $3.00-$5.00 more than the other products for a 98 lb bag, but it is twice as strong as hydrocal. To reinforce you walls, do it in two pours. Get some window screen material from Home Depot or Lowes. Cut it to fit about 1 inch shorter than your walls in all directions. Pour your mold about 1/2 full, and then let is just start to set up a little, then lay the screen material on top of the plaster. Mix a fresh batch of plaster and pour your molds the rest of the way full. The window screen will act like rebar in a concrete structure.
Their web site is <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.aardvarkclay.com/">http://www.aardvarkclay.com/</a><!-- m --> They are located on Pamona Ave just south of Edinger East of the 55 freeway between the 5 and the 405 in Santa Ana. I think the hydro-tone comes in a 98 lb bag which should be enough to last you a life time. I don't know what Woodland Scenics charges for their light weight Hydrocal, but I suspect it is probably $10.00-$12.00 for 3-5 lbs.
Their web site is <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.aardvarkclay.com/">http://www.aardvarkclay.com/</a><!-- m --> They are located on Pamona Ave just south of Edinger East of the 55 freeway between the 5 and the 405 in Santa Ana. I think the hydro-tone comes in a 98 lb bag which should be enough to last you a life time. I don't know what Woodland Scenics charges for their light weight Hydrocal, but I suspect it is probably $10.00-$12.00 for 3-5 lbs.