LandWhale
Cardboard Collector
Kharloar
Posts: 43
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Post by LandWhale on Dec 24, 2013 10:39:39 GMT
I have what I think may be a helpful tip for the community: apparently Crayola Air Dry clay in a 2.5 pound container is less expensive than a tiny pouch of Model Magic, also from Crayola. The reason I claim it to be better is because I read on Crayola's website that the Air Dry Clay drys harder and is less flexible when dry than the Model Magic, which may or may not be what some of you are looking for in a no-mix clay. (Google 'difference between air dry clay and model magic'. 1st result crayola.com) Air Dry clay on AmazonI'm going to be picking up a pound 'o dice, the D&D Essentials starter 4e (first experience with a tabletop rpg!) and a tub of this clay, so watch out for a haul/unboxing video sometime after the holidays. I want to at least use a tiny bit of the clay to make my own version of DM Scotty's Purple Worm, but getting such a huge tub for so cheap seems irresistible to me.
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dmbrad
Paint Manipulator
Posts: 166
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Post by dmbrad on Dec 24, 2013 12:31:20 GMT
The air dry clay is much heavier and will shatter if you drop it too hard on a hard surface. I have used it for smaller crafted items that I dont really care if they get broken but I would not want to use it for something that I have spent lots of time on like a purple worm.
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Post by sgtslag on Dec 24, 2013 14:51:04 GMT
Not to hi-jack your thread, but there are better dice deals than Pound-o-Dice. Check Amazon for the alternatives: better selection than Pound's 'random' collection; better quality? Check customer reviews.
I bought a Pound-o-Dice some years ago, when there were few alternatives. It was OK, but the other options available now, would have been better (the random collection of the Pound package, seemed to favor a select few types of die, which really was less than satisfying for us). YMMV. Cheers!
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Post by DMScotty on Dec 24, 2013 14:54:01 GMT
The air dry is very economical but can crack and break as dmbrad says. The model magic can be good if you want a light object as the air dry is much heavier. I also love sculpey.
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Post by adamantinedragon on Dec 24, 2013 17:20:13 GMT
I probably push Sculpey too much, but I just LOVE that stuff. And Super Sculpey is even stronger than Sculpey. There are other brands that are sometimes on sale for even less, like Fimo. If you want a strong, durable result that holds paint well and can even be filed or sanded, it's hard to beat Sculpey.
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LandWhale
Cardboard Collector
Kharloar
Posts: 43
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Post by LandWhale on Dec 24, 2013 17:31:36 GMT
Alright, thanks for all the feedback! I literally haven't used any type of clay since before I can possibly remember so it's good to know about different qualities before I buy anything
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Post by miltonmurphy on Dec 24, 2013 17:49:09 GMT
Alright, thanks for all the feedback! I literally haven't used any type of clay since before I can possibly remember so it's good to know about different qualities before I buy anything My thought is that it's good to have a bit of all materials on hand. Model magic is light and airy so good for things that go "on the walls" (as others have said.) I use the air dry clay for things that I'd like to be substantial but not too complicated. Sculpey I typically use if I need something durable or detailed (since I can work it without it drying out.) Some air dry clay examples I've posted before... *** SPOILERS *** Eye of Avarice (Rise of the Runelords) (pieces that go on the set.) Canopy Bed (the lion's head.) Final: Bottles (bottles on the table are all air dry clay.) Cheers, MM
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LandWhale
Cardboard Collector
Kharloar
Posts: 43
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Post by LandWhale on Dec 24, 2013 17:56:14 GMT
yeah, that makes sense.
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Post by bloodchoke on Dec 24, 2013 19:05:16 GMT
Since the clay question got straightened out, let me chime in on the 4e essentials. I personally think the Essentials line is the best material made for 4e, but I found the Red Box to be pretty unclear and confusing. It's a nice place to start, but be ready to pick up either Heroes of Fallen Lands or Heroes of Forgotten Kingdoms as well as the DM Guide pretty soon.
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LandWhale
Cardboard Collector
Kharloar
Posts: 43
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Post by LandWhale on Dec 24, 2013 19:40:34 GMT
Since the clay question got straightened out, let me chime in on the 4e essentials. I personally think the Essentials line is the best material made for 4e, but I found the Red Box to be pretty unclear and confusing. It's a nice place to start, but be ready to pick up either Heroes of Fallen Lands or Heroes of Forgotten Kingdoms as well as the DM Guide pretty soon. Indeed. I've made a separate Wishlist on Amazon for RPG stuff that includes those two you mentioned specifically. I'm not sure if I'm trying to be a DM just yet, but we'll see.
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LandWhale
Cardboard Collector
Kharloar
Posts: 43
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Post by LandWhale on Dec 25, 2013 7:28:00 GMT
Not to hi-jack your thread, but there are better dice deals than Pound-o-Dice. Check Amazon for the alternatives: better selection than Pound's 'random' collection; better quality? Check customer reviews. I bought a Pound-o-Dice some years ago, when there were few alternatives. It was OK, but the other options available now, would have been better (the random collection of the Pound package, seemed to favor a select few types of die, which really was less than satisfying for us). YMMV. Cheers! I think Wiz Dice pack of 100 might be the way to go. $19.99 on amazon instead of the $19.99-$25.99 range depending on the seller, and they claim to use only 'factory first' polyhedrals instead of the factory second dice in the Chessex Pound O' Dice. Wiz Dice also includes a matching set of 7 D&D polyhedrals with every pack of 100 just like Chessex does. But in defense of Chessex, they do seem to have a lot more variety and interesting colors and inks than the Wiz Dice pack.
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Post by thedmg on Dec 25, 2013 11:59:13 GMT
I always think what I can use that I dont need to buy or, if I have to buy, how do I spend close to zero.
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slurpy
Paint Manipulator
Posts: 197
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Post by slurpy on Dec 25, 2013 14:24:29 GMT
I think the Air Dry also shrinks more than Model Magic, if that is a concern (or desired). Not sure about Sculpey, having never used it.
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Post by sgtslag on Dec 25, 2013 14:33:04 GMT
Sculpey does not shrink at all. It sets through a chemical reaction by applied heat -- it has no moisture to lose, like traditional clays. It takes paint exceptionally well, it can be sanded, carved, and it is waterproof. It's only downside, besides price, is that it must be kneaded properly before shaping it, then it can be baked. When it comes out of the oven, it is still soft -- handle it carefully until it cools, which is when it permanently hardens. Cheers!
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Bael
Room Planner
Posts: 288
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Post by Bael on Dec 26, 2013 13:44:08 GMT
I probably push Sculpey too much, but I just LOVE that stuff. And Super Sculpey is even stronger than Sculpey. There are other brands that are sometimes on sale for even less, like Fimo. If you want a strong, durable result that holds paint well and can even be filed or sanded, it's hard to beat Sculpey. Super sculpey is great. I need to get some friggin batteries for my camera already and to show off my Super Skulpey Shoggoth. It's Call of Cthulhu and not D&D but still pretty sick. It's 5 or 6 years old and still looks great and holding up.
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Post by drathirbarrastudios on Dec 27, 2013 14:47:17 GMT
Oh please post your Shoggoth! I have a small collection of fall pieces I made 10 years ago out of sculpy and they still look fantastic! I have had a few that did break over the years but they were mostly very thin pieces (like the leaves on an ear of corn).
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odinist
Paint Manipulator
Posts: 105
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Post by odinist on Dec 31, 2013 18:24:00 GMT
Not to hi-jack your thread, but there are better dice deals than Pound-o-Dice. Check Amazon for the alternatives: better selection than Pound's 'random' collection; better quality? Check customer reviews. I bought a Pound-o-Dice some years ago, when there were few alternatives. It was OK, but the other options available now, would have been better (the random collection of the Pound package, seemed to favor a select few types of die, which really was less than satisfying for us). YMMV. Cheers! I think Wiz Dice pack of 100 might be the way to go. $19.99 on amazon instead of the $19.99-$25.99 range depending on the seller, and they claim to use only 'factory first' polyhedrals instead of the factory second dice in the Chessex Pound O' Dice. Wiz Dice also includes a matching set of 7 D&D polyhedrals with every pack of 100 just like Chessex does. But in defense of Chessex, they do seem to have a lot more variety and interesting colors and inks than the Wiz Dice pack. The WizDice bags are great. I've bought two, and some of my players have bought them as well. Definitely the better of the two choices. Also, even though WizDice only promise one matching set, all of mine in both bags I got were matching sets.
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