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Post by jennifer on Mar 8, 2016 6:40:47 GMT
I was wondering if some people could share what tools they use for sculpting miniatures with polymer clay.
I realize many can be crafted, and I'd appreciate any info on that as well.
I'd really like to read some web pages, or watch some youtube videos, where people share how they make these tools -- preferably step by step would be nice.
Right now I have no tools except for my pocket knives (swiss army knife and mini swiss army knife). And I also use toothpicks.
I saw one video where a guy said he used a guitar G string to make a clay removal tool with sculpy holding that wire onto a piece of copper tubing. Can I use a wooden paintbrush handle instead? Should be able to bake wood for 15 minutes without burning?
So many tools to make, so much to learn. I feel clueless right now.
I am so clueless, I don't even know what to call this tool I've seen: it's used for pressing clay onto other clay.. it has a curved flat side.
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Post by Grey Tower Games on Mar 8, 2016 11:59:48 GMT
If you are looking to make a clay cutting tool similar to a garrote (at least that's what I am thinking when I read your description) I would suggest not using sculpy to fasten the wire to the copper or the wood. I would instead drill a hole in the wooden or copper handles and thread the wire through it. I would think the clay once hardened wouldn't stand up to the stress of cutting the clay and the threaded solution would be better.
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Post by curufin on Mar 8, 2016 13:06:30 GMT
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jubbs71
Paint Manipulator
Posts: 125
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Post by jubbs71 on Mar 8, 2016 13:15:13 GMT
From left to right. Large angle chisel and taper point (size 1 or 2 I think). They are softer and both used for smoothing large areas. Then size 0 firm angle chisel and taper point. I use the taper point constantly. Then a ball point shaper and a needle point, both for detailing. I find I use those six the most. I do have 20+ different tools but most never leave my toolbox. Hope that helps!
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Post by jennifer on Mar 8, 2016 13:23:01 GMT
Thanks, I'll try and track these down.
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Post by jennifer on Mar 8, 2016 14:13:23 GMT
From left to right. Large angle chisel and taper point (size 1 or 2 I think). They are softer and both used for smoothing large areas. Then size 0 firm angle chisel and taper point. I use the taper point constantly. Then a ball point shaper and a needle point, both for detailing. I find I use those six the most. I do have 20+ different tools but most never leave my toolbox. Hope that helps! I see some clay shaper sets. What do you think of the quality of clay shaper?
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jubbs71
Paint Manipulator
Posts: 125
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Post by jubbs71 on Mar 8, 2016 14:16:35 GMT
From left to right. Large angle chisel and taper point (size 1 or 2 I think). They are softer and both used for smoothing large areas. Then size 0 firm angle chisel and taper point. I use the taper point constantly. Then a ball point shaper and a needle point, both for detailing. I find I use those six the most. I do have 20+ different tools but most never leave my toolbox. Hope that helps! I see some clay shaper sets. What do you think of the quality of clay shaper? I haven't tried any other similar tools of a different brand. But I have been very impressed with the clay shaper tools. They are extra firm which I prefer. I'm no pro sculptor, so take my thoughts for what they're worth.
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Post by jennifer on Mar 8, 2016 14:16:57 GMT
Curufin did you buy that Wax 5 tool from Australia? The one for $30
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Post by curufin on Mar 8, 2016 15:44:37 GMT
Curufin did you buy that Wax 5 tool from Australia? The one for $30 No. The Wax 5[ish] I use is from a $7 wax carving set link. I just hammered a gentle curve into the straight edge. 95% of all the sculpting I do is with these 5 tools. The most used is my Wax 5[ish]. The next two are #0 Colour Shapers link. The fourth down is a miniature version of the wax 5 I made by hammering a sewing pin flat, curving it slightly, and gluing it to a dowel. The last is an xacto knife. These are all sculpting tools I made with sewing pins and dowels/old paint brush handles. (except one, which was from a fine point glue applicator) You dont need fancy tools. Just think WWMD. What Would MacGyer Do. A bomb is going to go off in 10min unless you sculpt some tiny clay tablets with writing on them for a Frostgrave library. You can only use what you have around you. What do you do?
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Post by jennifer on Mar 8, 2016 15:54:42 GMT
Ok so, $26 for the color shapers.. that sound right? GOnna buy it along with the $7 set you linked. thanks!
Could I have the $7 set mailed to you and maybe you could hammer that wax 5 just right for me? I'd probably mess it up. I can paypal you the shipping costs. You could also keep any of the other pieces out of it you might need.
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Post by tauster on Mar 8, 2016 16:09:35 GMT
Get yourself some nice bark pieces to make rock texture. See here for details. You can also use bark for texturing monsters - see the links in the 2nd entry of this post and this. I also used a bark-ey piece of willow to make the textures of my flesh terain ( here and here). When you roll the bark over your clay (or whatever material you use), try putting some clingfilm between, so the bark stays clean.
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Post by jennifer on Mar 8, 2016 18:05:57 GMT
Interesting, the "extra firm" color shaper size 0 set is only $18 vs. the $26 amazon wants for the "firm" ones.
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Post by adamantinedragon on Mar 8, 2016 18:29:42 GMT
I only have a few tools I use regularly when scuplting polymer clay. Before the clay is baked I use some very basic clay sculpting tools, very similar to what curufin posted above. I also use a super-sized needle with a fairly blunt point a lot. I use all sorts of things for texturing, including just stuff I have laying around. Once it's been baked I use a collection of miniature files, my Dremel tool and a pin vise for final adjustments. I also have a fine-toothed jewelers saw I've been known to use on occasion. Polymer clay is a pain on files and sawblades though. Really gums them up, and is very difficult to clear out of the file's ridges.
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Post by DnDPaladin on Mar 8, 2016 20:43:59 GMT
Got myself a set of cake sculpting tools. seems like i can do much with them, but i haven't started on sculpting my clay yet...
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Post by curufin on Mar 8, 2016 23:37:08 GMT
Ok so, $26 for the color shapers.. that sound right? GOnna buy it along with the $7 set you linked. thanks! Could I have the $7 set mailed to you and maybe you could hammer that wax 5 just right for me? I'd probably mess it up. I can paypal you the shipping costs. You could also keep any of the other pieces out of it you might need. Sounds right. I paid more. I'd go with the extra firm if it's cheaper. I'll bend up the wax 5 too, if you don't want to do it.
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Post by jennifer on Mar 9, 2016 1:38:34 GMT
Ok so, $26 for the color shapers.. that sound right? GOnna buy it along with the $7 set you linked. thanks! Could I have the $7 set mailed to you and maybe you could hammer that wax 5 just right for me? I'd probably mess it up. I can paypal you the shipping costs. You could also keep any of the other pieces out of it you might need. Sounds right. I paid more. I'd go with the extra firm if it's cheaper. I'll bend up the wax 5 too, if you don't want to do it. darn it's back up at $26 for the extra firm. should i get the firm or extra firm guys? same price.
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Post by curufin on Mar 9, 2016 2:40:47 GMT
Honestly, there probably isn't that much difference between them, but I wish my firm color shapers had less give.
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Post by jennifer on Mar 9, 2016 3:04:06 GMT
Ok, I guess I'll order the extra firm then. The set of tools that has the tool that will become the "wax 5" tool, is an add-on item. So I'll have to have it shipped to me with the other tools. Then I could mail to you and then you could mail back. Probably cost me around $12 or so for the tool (with postage costs). Or I could order from Australia and spend $30 for the wax 5 tool. I have no idea how i'd hammer it, I dont have an anvil or anything like that. ANd I'm too inexperienced with sculpting to know that amount/type of curve to give it.
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