Polymer Clay Question

[G1Pens]

Not sure where to post this. Figured it was closer to casting than anything else.

I am trying to make a "blank" out of polymer clay. I have two different things going on. One is wrapping the clay around a Sierra blank. and the other is making a blank to drill and turn.

I have put the clay in the over at the temp on the instructions for the appropriate length of time.

What should I have at this point? Is the clay supposed to be hard, like rock or hard like rubber with some give to it?

 

[G1Pens]

Well....guess I jumped the gun. Once it cooled down completely it is now good and hard.

 

[bobjackson]

I bake mine at 275 for 30 minutes. Turns out hard when it cools down.

 

[navycop]

Do you wrap the clay around the tube or do you make a "blank" and insert the tube?

 

[G1Pens]

I wrapped mine around rhe blank. I mde it pretty thick and then turned it. Turning wasnt the easiest. Tools need to be very shsrp. It is probably better to get it close to the right thickness and sand it down

 

[clapiana]

correct let it cool and it will harden but dont overcook the clay otherwise it will end up being fragile.

when i make my pens i wrap the tube with a very thin "skin" of a solid color clay and then i apply my cane slices which are cut very very thin. the thinner the cut the better in that it will then blend into the solid clay. if you cut the canes to thick you will end up seeing "grooves" around each pattern.

i dont use any tools outside of some fine sand paper and i finish with acrylic polish.

blessings!
craig

 

[Fibonacci]

There is a really good tutorial for doing this in the library.

It was by Toni someone, I think.

 

[TomW]

There is a really good tutorial for doing this in the library.

It was by Toni someone, I think.

Not in the Library, but here.

Tom

 

[navycop]

I seen that, but i more of a hands on guy. I need to see pictures or video.