thenothing13
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Registered: 10-2008
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LIfecasting question
Hey guys.
I'm planing to do a full body lifecast to build my costume on. I'm 5'6" and 150 lbs. How much alginate and plaster bandage should I get? I'm doing my head as well.
Thanks
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9/14/2009, 10:29 pm
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pollyestergrimm
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Registered: 01-2008
Location: Boston
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Re: LIfecasting question
Scientifically speaking,
you'll need a f*** ton.
:lol
If you've never done it before, you'll need two partners, and at least 3 boxes of alginate, and for good measure, get a big box of plaster gauze. If your head comes out good, do the body separate. You're also gonna need a LOT of plaster.
Good luck, bro! :up
--- "I want...my PHONECALL, i want my phone call...i want it..."
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9/15/2009, 11:47 am
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NewBat
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Re: LIfecasting question
Do the head and body seperate. For the head, if your doing a full head and shoulders you'll need about 4-5 pounds of alginate and two cases of plaster bandage.
For the body, you don't need any alginate. I've assisted in full body casts at ADI (an oscar winning FX company in LA) and all you need to do is wear very little, like a pair of briefs or something, cover yourself in vasaline to protect the hair (I know, sounds gross but I'm serious here) and then you just go straight to the plaster bandage. You make this in three peices, creating a flange out of the bandage at the seams. There should be a full top and bottom front piece (1 piece) and then the back is divided into top (2) and bottom (3). This allows it to be taken apart and allows you to get out. Then you brush in a release or a shilack or the like to keep whatever your casting out of it from gripping. We pop fiberglass bodies out of these. If you'd like you can brush in a thin layer of alginate, we've used silicone but very very thinly, so it shouldn't cost you too much. Then you can clamp the two back halves together, run your material and then clamp the whole thing shut while it's curing.
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9/15/2009, 12:55 pm
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jedicoral
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Re: LIfecasting question
you only need the alginate if you want to capture skin detail, witch for a life cast you don’t.
when the plaster is going off it can generate some heat so make sure you know what you are doing. it often isn't an intense heat and only some skin redness occurs.
if it is your first time learn all you can about doing it before you start. doing a full body cast can be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing.
---
Check us out at heroes4kids.com.au or on face book
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9/15/2009, 7:01 pm
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thenothing13
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Re: LIfecasting question
thanks for the great responses. For the amount of alginate for the head, is that 4-5 pounds pre mixed? That's great that I don't need it for my entire body. Thanks again.
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9/15/2009, 9:49 pm
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thenothing13
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Re: LIfecasting question
.....and where's the best places to get the boxes of plaster bandages?
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9/15/2009, 9:51 pm
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BatDemon
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Re: LIfecasting question
alginate is "just add water" don't get the dental variety and for sure as hell don't get anything that is flavored.
any good medical supply or old time pharmacy should carry plaster bandages. for the body especially you'll want medical grade, not hobby, there's more plaster content. ans the gauze might be a tighter weave. this will cut down the number of layers.
--- - BatDemon
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9/15/2009, 10:27 pm
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NewBat
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Re: LIfecasting question
I get all my stuff from Alcone Company, they're great! However, it depends where you are located... They're in Long Island City and I'm in Long Island so it works swimmingly! They do ship but if theres someone closer to you they'd be better. Where are you located, perhaps I can help you out with a supplier?
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9/15/2009, 10:35 pm
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jediweapon
Registered: 02-2004
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Re: LIfecasting question
Quote: thenothing13 wrote:
.....and where's the best places to get the boxes of plaster bandages?
http://orthotape.com/plaster_bandages.asp
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9/15/2009, 10:36 pm
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thenothing13
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Registered: 10-2008
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Re: LIfecasting question
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm in Hamilton, Ontario.
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9/16/2009, 2:00 pm
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