Question for all you pro effects guys out there

I was practicing with some alginate for first time tonight. I mixed with water but it remained quite lumpy and there was no point using it till it was a smooth consistency. I was furiously stirring this stuff trying to work the lumps out but ran out of time and it set whilst still in the bucket I thought it would be a good idea to practice before I tried the actual model and looks like I was right LOL

Any advice for me would be appreciated:

As a rule of thumb what is the mixing ration of water to alginate. I read that it is generally 1 part alginate to 3 or 3.5 parts water by weight. Does that sound right?

I am using 1KG of powder as I am trying to mold a hand and arm so should I be using a powered tool to stir the mix or just a big wooden spoon.

I have ordered some more alginate anyway and have gone for a slower setting one (3-4 minutes apparently)

Cheers

Darren

I personally mix it by volume and feel, not by weight. 2-3 plastic cups full of Alginate to the same amount of water. I usually put in a little less water at first, then mix with my hand, not with a tool, until I get a feel for if the ratio is right, or if it needs more water.

Hope that helps!

_________________
-Spat

Just remember to watch out for the words "Mechanically Bonded" in the instructions, Darren!

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Cheers Spat, so your saying roughly a 1:1 ratio yeah?

I will have to try with a smaller amount first next time and see if that works out. Presumably if I mix it roughly 1:1 and it's OK then regardless of how much I increase the amount of alginate the same ratio should hold true.

Cheers

Darren

Roughly 1 to 1 is right. It all depends on what you're doing. Sometimes you may want a little more water to get a flowy mix, or you may want a little less water sometimes to make the Alginate a little easier to control.

It just takes practice.

Also, be sure to seal up the bag of Alginate when you're done really well. Keeping it in something that's not air tight, especially in a humid environment can cause the Alginate to absorb the moisture and start gelling on its own before you even get around to using it.

_________________
-Spat

Thanks for the tip Spat. The alginate comes in an airtight tub but I think I will be using all of it anyway.

Cheers

Darren