Plaster bandages are very versatile as they easily conform to any shape. This makes plaster bandages ideal for the orthopedic casting of limbs or making an amputee limb mold to produce a prosthetic. They are also used in the art hobby community to make many mother molds, ridged shells, and other mold-making projects.
Plaster gauze bandages were first used in the early 1800s as a splint for a broken or injured limb, according to Wikipedia. Plaster is produced from mined gypsum and heated to about 300 º F to produce plaster of Paris. The best way to use plaster bandages is by dunking them in water and squeezing them. Make sure the center becomes wet as well. You can then find the edge and begin wrapping the gauze around the item you wish to mold or cast. For projects such as plaster face masks the ideal size to use is 2-inch or 3-inch plaster bandages. For pregnancy molds, the best size to use is 6 inches or 8 inches as it covers a larger area.
