Hey guys. I was in a major chain Craft Store today looking at the $26.00 bag of Celluclay and one bag was torn on the top corner. So being the curious chap that I am I stuck my finger in it to see just what this stuff is before it's transformed. I could not help thinking that it feels like and looks like the paper base substrate that we used to pour over the worms, (earth worms or night crawlers) whatever you prefer, we used to fish with when I was a kid. Does anyone know if this is true, if it is surely I can find some of that stuff cheaper then $26.00. I wish I could remember the name of that paper based substrate but I can't. I do remember though that you could buy it at tackle shops. And you just poured it over the dirt and mixed it up with water. I think that it was used to keep the dirt cool and damp. If any of you have tried this let me know. Thanks, A10lover

I haven't used it in thirty years. Shep Paine used to use it in his dios, so I followed his little guides that came in the Monogram kits.. Even at that young age I realised the stuff wasn't too much more than paper mache. Once I got more into model railroading I found that's exactly what you can use-the homemade stuff works really well.

That was probably a 5 ib bag. I pound bags go for $5 to $7.
Recon

Hi Travis:

That kind of technology, re what Celluclay is used for,
has improved a great deal since Celluclay came on
the market. I used Celluclay years ago, but since then
have found out there are a lot of thing available now
here in the USA that are much better; dry faster, are
stronger and do not shrink one bit. The product I am
speaking about is "Clayshay" from the Aves Studios
in River Falls, Wi. Ask Kevin Gardner, Jackhammer81
what he thinks of it. He has much more prestigue here
than I do. I got him convinced!! Once he ordered a box of
this amazing powder that is paper mache but so much
more, he is hooked. You can read all about it and their
other products on their web site.

www.avesstudio.com

Or call Amber or Erin, the owners two daughters who are
very knowledgable about all the things they make at
PH: 715 - 386 - 9097 for more info.

For order only call their 1 800 number 800 - 261 - 2837.
All their products are first class. I don't work for them
and yes, I was telling the truth, Clayshay does NOT
shrink and it starts to get hard in one hour.

Thanks for the tips Guys. I have a ceramic shop that I think sells generic bags of paper mache. I think I'll stop by on my lunch break tomorrow. BTW, Recon how much area would a 5 to 7lb. bag cover? I need to cover a 12X12" wood base. I am working on a birm for a M-110A2 SPG diroma. And since I never used the stuff before I wanted to experient and use it to cover the whole base. And 18Bravo when our we going to see some more of the M109 pics? The interior photos were awesome. Did you buy all that after market or was that interior made from scratch? I had made one three weeks ago and while I put it under my wife's hair dryer the barrel and lower hull melted. You could imagine my reaction. Lesson has been learned! The following Monday I bought another one and I'll try again.

For the berm I might suggest a model railroader trick: Balled up paper. Just make a rough shape of the berm with balled up paper, lay some wet newspaper strips over it, and then your paper mache. Not only will you save on materials, it'll be a lot lighter.
As for the M109s, I still do one every once in a while. Right now I'm contemplating an upgrade for teh Paladin-a corrrected fume extractor, driver's hatch armor, rear door locking bar, and correct rear stowage boxes.

And in the words of Shep Paine.... make sure you clean your blender properly, else you'll be having papier mache flavoured milkshakes :-) :-)

Interesting thread guys.... papier mache, let alone instant papier mache, is virtually unheard of in SA. The one art/craft store which my missus frequents claims to have taken 5 years to sell a couple of bags of instant papier mache...

I was thinking of ordering Celluclay from DickBlick, but perhaps I'll try Kev & Ricks ClayShay instead

Rudi

For the berm...you could build it from Styrofoam or insulation foam and then just cover it with a thin layer of Celluclay. It will be sturdy and light. Also, since you are using just a thin layer of Celluclay, it will dry faster.

Thats the way I do it but I use Durhams powdered wood putty / filler. Drys fast and very hard (you can drill into it for figures & vehicles). I think Grumpy uses the same thing.

Good Luck,
N E O