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06 February 2007

What can I use for a Sculpey clay core? [More:]
I wanna do a beasty with a head at least 4" diameter. Okay, so his/her head can't be pure Sculpey or Fimo, it has to have a core. For some reason(s) I hate using aluminum foil as a core. Can I use a wooden sphere bought at a craft store? Or make a core out of plaster (but not vinyl spackle, as that shit has all kinds of nasty chemicals in it)? Or can I use scrap plastic? See, it has to be baked in an oven..! Suggestions? Thanks! Awww, I love alla youse...
;-)
BTW, I'm trashed on Bombay GnTs. But still want a good answer.

And, not that I'd say this to any of you, but what does the phrase " k'off " mean to you? You reckon I just relieved my congested chest? Just wondered if the phrase is still in curculation.

Tks!

Also BTW, the disc Republic by New order doesn't suck. When you're trashed on GnTs, anyway. Just realized that now.
posted by shane 06 February | 23:50
Wire or aluminum foil are pretty much your best options. Why don't you want to use Aluminum foil?
posted by jeremiahbritt 06 February | 23:50
Why don't you want to use Aluminum foil?

I dunno. It doesn't "sculpt" as well as I like. I want to sculpt a reguler ol' skull for my beasty's flesh. And, have you ever left aluminum or aluminum foil exposed to moisture for long? Ever see that sickly residue that forms on it *eeeew* ? Doesn't that someday leech out thru' the porous clay? I KNOW rust leeches out thru' plastilene if you're stupid enough to use iron as an armiture...
;-)

Okay, shit, Republic sucks half-way thru'...

;-)
posted by shane 06 February | 23:59
Why can't you use sculpey for the whole thing? I'm just wondering...
posted by dersins 07 February | 00:02
Why can't you use sculpey for the whole thing?

I think Sculpey (& Fimo, etc.) specifies that you use a core or armiture--not use it at thicknesses past maybe 1/2 inch or something like that,'cuz it doesdn't bake alla way thru', no? Anyway, everyone uses cores or armitures when it gets too thick...
posted by shane 07 February | 00:07
Could you use a wax ball? Parrafin has a melting point somewhere around half that of the Sculpey's set temperature. You could melt the wax out prior to baking the clay.
posted by Mitheral 07 February | 00:48
Could you use a wax ball?

Damn good suggestion! Kudos! Lost wax method for the 21st s./Sculpey generation!
posted by shane 07 February | 00:56
fuckin' 'k-off' ¿ Nah. GnT's, ¿Que ... WTF¿
You talkin' about vitaminK¿

Fuck Aluminum foil.

Wire frame. Make 3D outline of face and fill in with structural bracing and dimension.
Pliers.
Then cover with burlap strips dipped in ]watery[ plaster. Form face. Use thumb.
Sand smooth when dried or not. Paint with a Primer coat & ...
posted by alicesshoe 07 February | 01:07
lol aliceshoe! comment on mecha more often whydont'cha, eh? rock on with old skool art... and fling plaster on studio (or apartment) walls whilst sculpting and it'll all be beauteous someday...
posted by shane 07 February | 01:19
ok shane, great idea.
posted by alicesshoe 07 February | 11:30
(I played with Sculpey a LOT when I was in middle school, and got into some pretty advanced stuff.)

If you could find a cardboard shape of approximately the right size, that would work. I like the lost-wax idea but I'd be worried that the shape left behind wouldn't have enough structural integrity.

I don't think you'd need to melt the wax out before baking. If the Sculpey layer were thick enough, it'd have enough strength to hold itself together while it baked and the wax melted at the same time. Make sure to support the sides with something, though--crumpled parchment or index cards or something. Don't use a paper with a gloss finish. You could also see about filling the Sculpey shape left behind with some kind of epoxy resin for more support after you'd baked it.

But my instinct would be to go with the cardboard (or wooden, I guess) ball/shape.
posted by Fuzzbean 07 February | 13:27
Sorry, I'm not familiar with Sculpey or Fimo...thought the old school method would sufficeth.
posted by alicesshoe 07 February | 16:36
before the record company decided to turn them into linkin' park... || OMG! PENGUINS

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