Replies

1. 
   Piffin | Oct 30, 2006 10:01pm | #1

   Yes, I have had this happen with open bags before too. My theory without knowing is that it takes on some moisture from the air so the reaction is already on the launch pad...

    

    

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2. 
   JeffBuck | Oct 30, 2006 10:59pm | #2

   by paddle do U mean chucked in a drill?

    

   mixing too fast speeds up the set time.

   Jeff

    

   just reread ... bags are old ... all this time they've been sitting and taking in moisture. Either work faster or spend a few bucks on new. If it's gonna sit after open ... plastic bucket with airtight lid.

       Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

1. 
   ToolFreakBlue | Oct 30, 2006 11:28pm | #3

   Welcome Back!   You've been missedTFB (Bill)

3. 
   Jer | Oct 31, 2006 12:32am | #4

   By "hot mud" do you mean the setting type like Durabond? Hot mud usually means stuff that goes off in about 3 minutes like a fast mised batch of pur plaster of paris. Yes, sometimes you get a bag and it has already started to hydrate and has moisture in it so it sets faster. You don't like it, buy a new bag from a different store-batch.
   Don't mix that stuff with a paddle and a drill unless you can slather it on in about 5 minutes. You mix plaster this way...

   Pour in your water, then sprinkle in the powder and let it sift into the water and soak. When it has soaked in as much as it can slowly stir it with a stick or paddle adding powder or water as the mix needs.

   Pure Plaster of paris when soaked in cold water this way can sit ready to use for a good 10 minutes. It's called "neat" in the plaster world.

4. 
   RichMast | Oct 31, 2006 01:14am | #5

   I sometimes use a few capfuls of vinegar to retard it some.  Makes it dry harder, I think, though.

   Hope this helps.  Rich.

5. 
   IdahoDon | Oct 31, 2006 03:29am | #6

   That's interesting.  I've never heard of it setting fast because it's old, but it seems to make sense, or at least I don't doubt that it happened if you say so.  We live in a low humidity area so it's probably not as common around here.

    

   Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.

6. 
   JHOLE | Oct 31, 2006 03:45am | #7

   The temperature of the water that you use will also effect the set up time.

   I've used 20 with scalding water for immediate set when needed.

   I haven't noticed a shelf life.

    

   Remodeling Contractor just on the other side of the Glass City

7. 
   pinko | Oct 31, 2006 05:16am | #8

   Yea, there is a shelf life for hot mud. It does indeed set faster w/ age. Hi-Set brand even had a table printed on their package indicating how much the set-time was sped up for each month of age past the 'use date'. 2 years old?..sets MUCH faster. Throw it out, buy some fresh Durabond 45 and go to town.

1. 
   PenobscotMan | Oct 31, 2006 04:31pm | #9

   Thanks (and to all who responded).  Maybe "hot mud" is the wrong term -- I was referring to Durabond 90.  I was storing the bags loosely sealed in a cool but humid cellar, and there must have been some uptake of moisture.  Last night I tried a fresh bag of Easysand 90 and it was fine - smooth, no lumps, adequate working time.  My goal was to avoid having to buy a bucket of mud (even a small one) every time I want to do a bit of patching, like around a new electrical box.

1. 
   Tomrocks21212 | Oct 31, 2006 07:15pm | #10

   I have a few buckets that I keep dog food, charcoal for the grill, open bags of Durabond, etc., anything I want to keep dry. I bought (I think from Duluth Trading about 10 years ago) screw-off lids with adapter rings for 5 gal. pails. They have an O-ring seal, some I had were even food grade. Mine were made by Gamma-Seal, can't find a website.

1. 
   Catspaw | Nov 03, 2006 03:09pm | #11

   I also use the screw on lids (available from Lee Valley).  If you can find 3 1/2 gallon buckets, they are the perfect size for a full bag of setting compound.  They take the same lids as 5 gallon pails but are shorter.

2. 
   BillHartmann | Nov 03, 2006 06:52pm | #12

   http://freckleface.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/gammaseals.html

2. 
   rasconc | Nov 03, 2006 07:30pm | #13

   We have five cats and use the litter from Sams.  It comes in square buckets and recently they are a little shorter than the usual ones.  I put products like this in a garbage bag and twist tie it and put it in these buckets.  I take one of the small plastic shopping (t-shirt style) bags over the top and put the lid on.  I take a Sharpie and write product and date on it.  You could take this one step farther and put job size batches in zip-lock style bags too. 

   I have been keeping my eyes open for pool chemical buckets that are screw on lid type.  The chlorine ones usually have a gasket.

   Have you seen the roll product for dw repair? Looks like it may be interesting.

   http://www.hydetools.com/New_pdf/Wet-and-Set082503.pdf

   Bob

1. 
   PenobscotMan | Nov 03, 2006 07:47pm | #14

   I definitely need to try to keep the compound dry -- that seems to be the consensus here.  Thanks for the link to the Hyde site -- I like the picture of the hole in the wall, broken lath etc.  That's how the walls in my 100 year old house look!

   I have used large sheets of self-adhesive FG (comes on a roll), but the Hyde product looks more advanced.

1. 
   rasconc | Nov 03, 2006 07:55pm | #15

   I have not tried it, just saw it in several magazines recently.  I have used the stick on metal patches before.  This does look like it would be good with some fast setting compound.  I usually keep an old hair dryer in one of the tool boxes on the truck to speed things up on small jobs.