>Actually, there is a magic elixir for increasing the working time! >USG makes a retarder for plaster that works quite well! the human body also makes an excellent retardant; it's called urine. it's an old plasterers' trick and masons have used it to slow down the set of mortar. vinegar also works, but you don't always have a bottle of that handy. white shellac protects the finished sculpture (or macquette) and makes it look like ivory.
It does work for gypsums, but makes smelly castings! -- -- Marc Fields The Compleat Sculptor, Inc. "You Supply the Talent, We'll Supply the Rest." 212-367-7561 www.sculpt.com CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail is confidential and privileged. If you have received it in error, please notify us immediately by reply e-mail and then delete this message from your system. Please do not copy it or disclose its contents to any other person. Thank you for your cooperation.
Good day to you all. I joined the Stone List about 4 years ago, and introduced myself in my one and only email. I had about 1 year of limited experience at that time; carving alabaster. I'm from Indiana (USA) and have focused mainly on the native limestone since I last wrote. The Dude (who has become my best friend) who introduced me to stone sculpting back then, used to call me 'scratchy' because I was hooked on files. Over these years, he continued to involve me with his work =96 to help me learn, not because he needs the help. I consider him a master of stone art. I dove into the chisels and hammer (and yes, he called me 'tappy' for awhile) when I began a Memorial that I am hoping to have done by years end. I definitely am not against power tools and use a metabo angle grinder and heavy duty foredom. I have been getting the stone digest and really dig it. This (re)introduction is also a test to make sure I am getting thru in the right format. If all's well, I'll be writing back in with a question, or two. Thanks, Troy
I am carving a large Memorial out of Indiana limestone. I first wrote in about this several years ago, and am nearing the final stages. It is a leaning tree with a red tail hawk perched on the trunk. The final dimensions are approximately 7 ft x 2 ft x 2ft and I estimate it weighing in at around one ton (2000 lb). Once the Memorial is finished, it will be moved to its final resting place, a cemetery in Northern Indiana, about 200 miles north of where I now live. I would greatly appreciate input and/or feedback on the construction of its base and the permanent joining of the two (or anything else). Currently, the general plan is as follows: 1. Construct a (approximately) 3 ft x 3 ft x 4 ft concrete base fairly flush with ground level. Some form of rebar =96 steel reinforcement =96 will be used w/in the concrete. 2. During the concrete pour, insert a 1 =BC inch sleeve into the central part of the base. The sleeve would be installed flush w/ the concrete and with its lower end sealed so as not to fill w/ concrete when installed. 3. Cover upper end of sleeve in base to avoid filling w/ debris, etc. during the time it takes to finalize the Memorial and get it moved North. 4. The purpose of the sleeve is for a 27 inch long, 1 inch diameter stainless steel rod. The plan for the rod is to go approximately 17 inches into the center of the bottom of the Memorial, and as a result(Continue reading)
roy, My first thought is, will the memorial be balanced so that it will stand upright , on it's own? If is leaning, and needs a pin to hold it upright, then you need better advice then I can give. Assuming that your project stands on it's own, I'd say you have a good plan regarding the sleeve and pin size and length. Having the foundation raised a couple of inches above grade will do a lot to keep water from getting at the bottom of the piece. Making sure the foundation has a smooth and level top will make sealing the piece to the concrete much easier. The traditional way to set a monument in a cemetery is to put 1\8 or 1\4"spacers under the stone, near the outside edge, and then put a large roll of setting compound under the outside edge of stone. Then set the stone down so all the excess it squeezed out. All the weight is on the spacers, and the setting compound seals out water and snow. finally, you take a knife and cut away all the squeezed out compound. Another way is to set the piece on the spacers, and then use a caulking gun to seal up the joint. You will need to tape all around to keep from making a big mess. The main point is to have a space between the stone and the foundation so you can get a good, flexible, sealing compound underneath. I used to be in the monument industry, and have set many stones in the Buffalo NY area. I have never heard of anyone setting a stone in a bed of cement as a final setting method. A 4 foot deep foundation should be more than enough to stay below the frost line. Check with your local monument company , or cemetery for advice. Also setting a stone can be very difficult, and you should talk to someone in your area to see the tools they use and how they do it. I just gave you a brief description. Every job is different! Where in northern Indiana is the piece going? I know that area pretty well. Good luck, George Graham(Continue reading)
George, Thanks for all the advice! Yes, the memorial is balanced. The lean is accentuated by the shape/curve at the base of the trunk and is counterbalanced by a branch. Recently we had an earthquake in the area (west of me in south/central Illinois) and the Memorial actually shifted/rotated when the S wave came thru. I didn't realize it until the night after the quake when I noticed my chisel marks in my wood base showing it's previous location. A thankful day to say the least. I will make sure the base at the cemetery is above grade, smooth and level, as you indicated =96 thanks! I really appreciate you explaining the traditional way of setting a monument. Can you give me a specific product name for 'the roll of setting compound' and the caulk type? Also, do you have a recommendation on an epoxy type product for cementing the stainless steel rod? As fate would have it, I used to work at the cemetery that will receive the Memorial. My old boss still works there and is able, willing, and happy to assist. However, as he told me, setting larger memorials is contracted out to the monument makers that make them. It is in LaGrange. Do you know that area? I may end up hiring a monument company to transport to the cemetery and lift the stone, in order for me to set as described above. Thanks again! If I can figure it out, I'll post some images on my gmail (email server) account.(Continue reading)
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