You like Sculptamold?

For many people in the model railroading hobby, Sculptamold is one of the go-to products for creating a scenery base. This water-based paper mache like product is very useful. However, our local hobby shop often doesn't carry it and ordering on line results in high shipping costs because the product is relatively bulky and heavy. The cost can really add up, especially if you need more than a small bag.

I now make my own version which for me works exactly the same as Sculptamold. I can make large quantities for very little cost and I can even vary the amount of time until the material starts to setup, depending on the specifications of one of the two ingredients.

I purchased a basic food processor on sale. I am sure I could have found one for much less money had I searched garage sales but I couldn't be bothered.

I put one part cellulose fiber insulation and one part drywall compound in the food processor and mix for a couple of minutes to make sure the cellulose is well broken up and the ingredients are thoroughly mixed. I purchased a 10 kg (22 lb) bale of cellulose fiber from Lowes for about $13. This is a large bale which will last me for many years. Lowes also sells 8 kg (18 lb) bags of a product called CertainTeed LiteSand Plus 20 (or 30 or 45) for about $25 a bag. The number refers to the number of minutes that elapse before the product begins to harden. I like using the LiteSand 45 because it gives me 45 minutes to work the product before it starts to set.

This mixture can be applied in exactly the same way as Sculptamold and, when dry, it can be painted or otherwise used in exactly the same way. The only difference is that the colour is slightly grey whereas Sculptamold is pure white. It takes roughly the same length of time to dry and, when dry, is as hard as Sculptamold.

Here is a picture of my mixture after being applied to my model railroad and after fully drying.

Here is a picture of the "production line" with the raw materials. A handful of the cellulose insulation is the grey-coloured fist-sized pile beside the white scoop. The food processor is shown with the raw materials loaded in the hopper ready to be mixed. I store the mixture in the plastic container which has an air-tight lid to keep moisture out.

I should add a word of caution. This is one of those situations where you should not ask to borrow the food processor from your kitchen. Also don't sneak it out and use it without asking, thinking that you can clean it thoroughly. You don't want to be explaining to your spouse or mother-in-law as to how on earth their innards got plugged up with drywall compound. As Lucille Ball used to say to her I Love Lucy husband, Ricky Ricardo, "Ricky you've got some 'splainin' to do!".

On the other hand, it might be a good test for the two-week Metamucil Challenge that I keep hearing about in a quite revolting TV commercial which seems to play incessantly these days. No, my waste is NOT weighing me down as they like to insinuate. I need no third-party assistance with excreta nor do I need some sanctimonious woman who whistles every time she says the letter "S" telling me otherwise!