Talc (1 Viewer)

[Peter Reuss]

As a new caster, my son is having a great time. Problem is, he's running through his talc in a hurry. He wants to know if baby powder is a substitute.

 

[thebritfarmer]

I believe they are the same as Baby Powder is a brand name is it not?

 

[theBaron]

Hi, Padre, yes, it is. I use an old container of Johnson & Johnson's baby powder.

It doesn't take a lot, and you don't necessarily need to powder the molds on every cast. I usually pour a little in the mold cavity, clap the halves together and turn them around a little, and then also use an old paintbrush as necessary to work the powder into any details that didn't pick any up.

Hope that helps, prosit!
Brad

 

[Martin Tabony]

You might find an old woolen sock works, fill it with talcum and then roll it in on it'self to make a pad. This is how we apply lime to horses feet and it works a treat. It also helps keep down the layer of talc that will settle on everything. My casting shop has a layer of dust on everything and one time when I decided to clean up, I had the vacume of blow instead of suck, it was half an hour before I could see the door!

Martin

 

[trooper]

You can also use a spray can of silicone based furniture polish. Make sure you only spray LIGHTLY and work it in with a brush. Handy if talc brings on breathing problems.

 

[Obee]

Yes, I agree with Brad, babay powder is fine. I use an old can that my Mum didn't like, it smells a bit 'girly' but does the job and its cheap too,

John

 

[Martin Tabony]

One other thing to bare in mind, whatever you lubricate the mould with, will be on the waste metal when you re-melt it. So be careful of fumes!!!! WELL VENTILATED!!!!!!!!!!

 

[theBaron]

One caution on baby powder--make sure it's made of talcum, and not corn starch. I've just read that baby powder can be made from corn starch. Not that it's toxic, but I suspect that it doesn't react under heat in the same way that talcum does, since talcum is a mineral and relatively inert, compared to the organic molecule that is corn starch.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Martin Tabony]

One caution on baby powder--make sure it's made of talcum, and not corn starch. I've just read that baby powder can be made from corn starch. Not that it's toxic, but I suspect that it doesn't react under heat in the same way that talcum does, since talcum is a mineral and relatively inert, compared to the organic molecule that is corn starch.

Prost!
Brad

If it smells like pancakes, you've got the wrong stuff.

Martin

 

[Peter Reuss]

We'll give it the sniff test next time out