Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 21, 1999 06:08pm | #1

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   Peter, go to: http://www.ornamentalplaster.com and see Mr. Ewing's site. He's the one to ask.

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 21, 1999 08:44pm | #2

   *Having just jumped into DIY plastering, you can do it if you have a feel for perceptual things like smoothing concrete. Getting smooth, skip&crater-free consistent radius curves will be tough, but maybe you don't mind a little "character". I suggest starting with something easy (read: flat), study how it turns out, then do something small but harder, etc. The process is pretty easy once you stop stumbling around, but since you have to work reasonably fast and the set plaster is unforgiving (like concrete, and unlike drywall compound) you want to get it right the first time.I hate to be critical, especially since Brian is very helpful and frequents this board, but i found the plaster-over-drywall guide i purchased from his site disappointing. 9 pages for $20, the meat of which i could type up here in a paragraph. i guess i've decided to be critical here...If you'd like more specific lessons from my bumbling emperience, I'd be delighted to talk. Once you start understanding the ,aterial, it really is fun, way better than 'rock.

2. 
   Brewskie | Feb 22, 1999 12:56am | #3

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   Andrew,

   What if the guide was only one paragraph?

   Did you learn anything?

   You say that you can post the "meat" of the guide in one post.

   That may be true. But the value of something isn't whether it can be told in one paragraph or a whole novel. It's what did you gain. If you were using the wrong tool, for instance, would it be expected of me to tell you the correct tool to use without anything in return? Or do you think that because I told you in one sentence what tool to use that the info was useless?

   I don't mind coming to these boards to help people who need the help. But it would not be fair to me to post everything I know would it?

   You gotta remember. I have been plastering my whole life. Why should I give away everything that has taken me so long to learn? I'll help, but the other person is going to have to do his own homework also.

   You know, through buying this guide, that there are always updates to them. And there is a special board you can go to in order to post questions regarding the guides. Why haven't go gone there?

   If the guide taught you how you can effectively plaster over drywall then what's the problem? For 20 bucks you know how now, right?

   There is a new version of the guide that I'll be uploading tonight or tomorrow (a couple paragraphs were hard to understand). I'll be sending out an email to you, and the others who have bought the guide.

   Peter,

   Plastering the underside of a staircase or the ceiling above a staircase is very difficult. Even for me.

   I would suggest you find a pro to do this part of it. If you don't use the proper tools when creating the curves, and if you don't have the experience in using them, the chances are that what you end up with will not look like you want it to.

   Brian Ewing

   OrnamentalPlaster.Com

3. 
   Guest_ | Feb 22, 1999 02:57am | #4

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   It's funny, I went into one of the most combative professions (well, not as bad as boxing) and I hate conflict. I have a heck of a time raising a dispute because no matter how diplomatic I try to be, the other person is likely to respond with anger and defensiveness. Although combat makes me feel ill, it makes my blood boil to see myself shirk the right thing to do just because it may give me a bit of indigestion. This situation is typical: I criticized your guide, you tell me it's my fault.

   Regardless I start with diplomacy and I say, look this is the problem, it's business not personal, and I'd like to figure out what we can do about it. I think I did that here:

   >I hate to be critical, especially since Brian is very helpful and frequents this board, but i found the plaster-over-drywall guide i purchased from his site disappointing. 9 pages for $20, the meat of which I could type up here in a paragraph. I guess I've decided to be critical here...

   A caveat, a compliment, a mild criticism, then a stronger criticism. Prompted not by spite, but the relevance of sharing with Peter my experience after another recommended your site.

   Now you tell me I am confused by the difference between length and value. Nope -- this pamphlet just ain't worth $20. I hadn't even decided whether to contact you to ask for my money back, but I do now.

   No, I didn't learn anything except a tip or two. When I referred to the "meat" of the pamphlet, i meant summarizing everything it said, not what it said that was out of the ordinary. The advice on drywalling and plastering, including which tools to use, can be found on the manufacturer's packaging. I didn't need to pay to have it rephrased for me. I could run on with specifics, but there's no point. I was amused that rather than describe mixing materials, you refered the reader to .. guess what ... another guide of yours.

   If I had glanced at this guide in a store, or even been able to tell from your ad how little there was to it, I'd have never spent $20 for it. Only because you've lashed out and petulantly branded me a jerk disrespecting the professionals (and I sure don't) do I say this publicly. Whether readers decide which of us is right comes down to credibility -- or maybe you'd like to post the guide?

   And I was mistaken: the guide is really only 6 pages. Incodentally, the criticism I've giving here is nothing compared to the shock I felt after I received the guide -- FOUR months after I wrote the check and inquired twice whether you'd received it. Pity I didn't get around to canceling the apparently lost check. By federal law, anything ordered by mail has to be delivered within 6 weeks.

4. 
   Peter_Mitkin | Feb 22, 1999 02:59am | #5

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   I own a 120 year old home and need to replace the plaster on the ceiling above a staircase. The ceiling curves, angles and twists, sharply in some places. This needs to be built up on wire mesh. Does anyone have a source of information on how do DIY? I understand the technique, but am not sure of the tools and application secrets. Any guidance appreciated.