1. Where do you buy this in bulk nowadays? 2. Whats the conversion rate of grams of powder to gallons of slime? 3. I've seen people use other similar compounds like hydroxyethylcellulose, what (if any) are the differences?
I get it from amazon. And I mix it to a 3-4% solution by volume, so about 40ml of methylcellulose to 1l of liquid (usually a mix of water and paint). To stop it clumping I stir it into about half the desired volume of boiling water, then add the same volume of cold. It makes a suspension in the boiling water, then thickens when you add the cold.
No. 2 will change a lot depending on if you like thick or runny. I buy the thick gunge from MS, and mix it extra thick so I might only get ~6 Litres out of a 10 litre pack. If you like it more runny that same pack might mix to ~15 litres.
Reiver2 said: To stop it clumping I stir it into about half the desired volume of boiling water, then add the same volume of cold. It makes a suspension in the boiling water, then thickens when you add the cold.
Just a heads up for anyone doing this and wanting to use it straight off the bat; if you mix half boiling and half cold, your final mix will be very hot. (About 60C if your cold water is at room temp. And you'll still be at ~50C if your cold is literally freezing.) Go 3 parts cold to 1 part boiling, and you'll get something around hot-tub temperature (~40C).
The conversion rate or amount of powder to water will vary depends on the grade of Methyl Cellulose the same as it would with Hydroxyl Ethyl cellulose. HEC will mix easier, all of the thickeners such as HEC MC or CMC all kind of do the same thing with slightly differing results. We've used many differing grades and types over the years including Xantham and Guar Gum as well, again all differing results.
Bulk quantities wise, I used to buy it by the pallet then pass the savings on but I guess it would depend on what you call bulk and where you are based.
I still have around 500kg of various gunge powders and had been advertising bulk prices at £1 per kg collected on larger quantise of a weaker grade of Carboxy Methyl Cellulose. There is a VERY remote possibility we may be shooting again soon so will probably need to keep some until we know what's happening but may have some to spare.