Hi Mike,

I agree with your comment...

> I have a slight fear before you make a form box to contain the mortar form
> mix. If you noticed on some prior posts, Dave Blodgett made a seat from a
> sand mold contained in a wood box, but subsequently posted that his feet
> and whole legs were falling asleep. My take on this is that the front of
> the form box must be kept low so that no hard edge or line is made just
> under your thighs thereby cutting blood circulation.

Take a look at my first post and follow the link to the picture of the mold. The wood front of the form is cut to allow for the legs.

> I'm intrigued by the bluejeans approach (this would be for a low or medium
> high sided seat form), but I hear what you are saying, Hank, about the
> mat'l having a loose weave so the plaster will get through.( like burlap )
> But everybody's got some old tightish pants so how to make it work?
> Firstly maybe use 3 pairs ( cut off w/ say 4" legs) Maybe light cloth
> pants would be best, or flannel underwear. If you are brave, cover your
> wetsuit w/ 'Hank's Recipe'? ( will this kill wetsuits - or use a roll of
> saran wrap and keep wrapping) Hey Hank what's that recipe again? Cover the
> front of the pants w/ the recipe so its easy to cut yourself out after 15
> min. We need a simple approach. I like the plaster cause it sets up fast
> and would be easy to sand, cut and shape.

I don't think that the homemade mold release will harm a wetsuit(it contains no petroleum products and there is not that much lye in the soap. I am going to try the "mortar-in-a-bag" approach and use saran wrap as a "release". The saran would be very quick - no mixing, no drying - apply and go. I don't know how well the saran would cling to hollows in the mold but we will find out.

Hey Mike - you gotta try that bluejean thing - and please, take pictures.

Hank