Why Cornstarch...

[+G-Squad]

I have noticed in the forums the general recommendation is to use corn starch to highlight the bench mark. Although the cost difference is negligible, what property does cornstarch have (or not have) that makes it better than flour for this use? Just curious is all.

[+2oldfarts (the rockhounders)]

Being the tightwad that I am, I use a common free substance that is readily available out here in AZ. It is called blow sand!

 

The trick to using the sand is to get the disk damp and sprinkle some light colored sand on it and wipe off the excess.

 

I think the corn starch is of a finer texture and will probably fill in the smaller lines better, but that is just speculation on my part.

 

John

 

edited to add a picture of a disk with sand in the lettering.

 

Edited January 17, 2005 by 2oldfarts (the rockhounders)

[+2oldfarts (the rockhounders)]

An update about flour use. If you mix water and flour you get the paste used for paper mache' and that means it will be a pain to clean up after the pictures are taken. If you don't clean it up it will harden and look like doo-doo.(family jargon)

 

John

[mloser]

The same thing will happen in whatever container you keep it in. Flour attracts moisture much more than corn starch and will become goo much faster. Also, if corn starch gets wet it will dry and become a powder, and therefore usable, again (not that the cost is an issue). Finally, corn starch will just wash off the benchmark and not become caked on dough.

[holograph]

I have to admit to succumbing to the reputation of cornstarch -- I tried it this weekend. Clearly there is a technique involved, my first experiments resulted in much whiteness on self and countryside , but it does do a good job of bring out the stampings. The advantage I see? It washes off easier!

 

My wife is convinced I'm going to be nabbed as a terrorist, though. She thinks I'm slightly wacky -- this from someone who thinks getting up on top of a big @$^$ horse and running hell bent at big &^%$ fences is fun!

 

KV1214 - one of the fun ones that keeps me looking.

 

[+BilboB]

I dont use anything when I take my photos. I guess I like the "realistic" look. There are those times though where the photos really come out crappy. I should really think about something like this.

[evenfall]

I prefer Cornstarch over Flour as I feel it makes a smoother, lighter sauce or gravy.

 

Rob

[+BuckBrooke]

Always make sure to simmer your benchmarks until soft, before eating.

[+ddnutzy]

I just carry a small container of baby powder in my pack to highlight bm's that need it. It is also handy to make a mark or a arc when measuring from one point to another. It's not good in the snow though.

[+ddnutzy]

baby powder at work.

 

[+AtoZ]

Corn startch breaks down faster then flour. For one and I guess any other reason someone has mentioned.

cheers

[+Renegade Knight]

I have to admit to succumbing to the reputation of cornstarch -- I tried it this weekend. Clearly there is a technique involved, my first experiments resulted in much whiteness on self and countryside , but it does do a good job of bring out the stampings. The advantage I see? It washes off easier!

 

My wife is convinced I'm going to be nabbed as a terrorist, though. She thinks I'm slightly wacky -- this from someone who thinks getting up on top of a big @$^$ horse and running hell bent at big &^%$ fences is fun!

 

KV1214 - one of the fun ones that keeps me looking.

 

Don't worry, chalk white and covered with corn starch isn't in the terrorist handbook they passed out to me. A little black lipstick and nail polish though and you will at least look the part of a Goth.

[mrh - terre haute]

Anybody tried silica sand?

[+Skyboy01]

I use chalk to highlight the benchmark id letters/numbers. Just rub the piece of chalk across the letters a few times and wipe across the surface with a folded paper towel. Easy to carry, easy to use. Skyboy01