Socket Duplication Procedure

After wrapping some flexible rubber or plastic around the top of the socket, fill the socket with your alginate. Remember that alginate will not stick to NON-POROUS surfaces but will stick to porous ones like cloth. A release like Vaseline should be used on these types of surfaces. Alternately, a plastic bag can be used to line the socket. The bag will be pushed outward quite effectively against the socket and keep it from leaking and keep the alginate from sticking.

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Remember you have a limited amount of working time. Be sure to have your mounting pipe ready and place it into the alginate well before it begins to set. The mounting pipe must have some sort of way to mechanically attach to the alginate. One method is to use spray adhesive to wrap a layer of terry-cloth to the pipe. Here we are using two pieces of wood (paint stirrers) taped together at their ends to act as a holder for the pipe. Make sure the pipe is long enough to extend to within about 3 inches of the bottom of the socket.

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When the alginate sets, wait an additional 5 minutes for the alginate to achieve a firmer set prior to removal from the socket. If you cannot proceed immediately to the next step, wrap the alginate in a wet paper towel and encase the whole thing in a plastic bag to minimize evaporation. It is, of course, still advisable to continue immediately.

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Wet your plaster bandages and begin wrapping the alginate slug. It is advisable to do at least 3 layers of bandages. Try to conform to the shape of the alginate as closely as possible.

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Do some layers of bandage vertically and some horizontally. Remember that the stronger your plaster bandage casing is, the less likely you are to deform it during processing.

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To remove the plaster casing, slit it with a sharp knife and work it off.

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Repair the slit with another plaster bandage and your mold is nearly ready.

THIS NEXT SENTENCE IS IMPORTANT. Remember to coat the inside of this mold with a release agent like Vaseline before pouring in your plaster. This is the only way you will be able to separate them later.

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Placing the plaster mold in a bucket of sand will stabilize it during pour-up. Mix some gypsum cement and pour.

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After the gypsum cement is set (minimum one hour), slit the plaster bandage mold and pull it off your finished form. Small positive air bubbles (outies) can be easily cut or scraped off before the stone reaches its final set strength. Small negative bubbles (innies) can be filled with more gypsum cement.

Use this form to fabricate your duplicate socket.

Large Sockets

The only difference between a large and a small socket is that you'll have to mix more alginate and you'll have to have a longer pipe.

You may also want to use a longer setting alginate like our 570-PGV so you won't run out of time.