Materials and Formulas 205 



inside diameter). It is obtainable at electrical supply houses 

 and comes in 10-foot lengths. 



For shipping to distant areas, I cut it into 5-foot lengths and 

 bind the pieces together into packages which can be handled 

 easily. Then I wrap the individual bunches of pipe with burlap 

 sacks. Be sure to insert each end of the package into a sack so 

 that the individual pieces of pipe will not slip out. 



Plastics and Resins 



There are a wide variety of synthetic or plastic-like materials 

 on the market today which can be used for casting, and anyone 

 interested may find it worthwhile to experiment. A search into 

 the advertising section of telephone directories will produce 

 names and addresses of companies dealing in plastics and resins. 

 Write to them for information concerning self-setting plastics. 



Nearly all boat supply dealers carry polyester resins. These 

 resins, combined with Fiberglas, are used extensively for re- 

 pairing and reinforcing boat hulls. The same resins— usually 

 packaged in gallon containers— are also excellent for producing 

 casts of fishes. The resin, when mixed with a small amount of 

 "hardener" or "activator" in a separate container, will set hard 

 in about 20 minutes. There are different brands on the market. 

 A gallon will go a long way. Directions for proper mixing are 

 printed on the container labels. Any dealer in boat supplies will 

 gladly give you all the necessary information about the resin he 

 carries. 



Another product which can be used for experimenting in 

 casting fishes comes in paste form and can be troweled directly 

 into the mold; it is usually referred to as plastic paste. 



I use a product called "Hysol" which is produced by Hough- 

 ton Laboratories Inc., Olean, New York. It is packaged in 

 liquid form and when mixed is self-setting; no heating is re- 

 quired to set it. For casting all types of fishes, I have found it 

 extremely satisfactory. When mixed with some whiting or 

 asbestos, it forms a composition that is hard and yet easy to work 

 with a tool. 



