Polymer Clay Questions

[THarvey]

I have a co-worker ask me about making a pen using polymer clay. I know some of you have done this. What is the best way to work with the clay?

Do you form the clay around the tubes?

What is the consistancy of the clay after baking? Is it turnable after hardening (similar to acrylic)?

Any other words of advise appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Russianwolf]

Hey Tim,
Not that I'm an expert yet on the subject.

So far I've made pens by wrapping the clay around the tube once I get the pattern in the clay that I want. I've read that some make blanks that they drill after baking also ( I may try this shortly).

After baking the clay is hard, but not brittle. You can indent it with your finger nail, but the indentation will disappear after a bit of time. So if you drop a pen, it won't shatter like pottery. After forming the clay around the tube and baking it, I've had no problem with turning it with regular tools.

The only thing to look out for is if you have an air pocket in the clay from folding it, you may have a bad spot on the barrel if its at the wrong depth. Practice helps with folding so that you don't trap air so I'm told.

 

[nava1uni]

I have done it both ways. It is much easier to build it around the tube since the heat transfer from the tube ensures that it is cooked entirely throughout. Making a blank requires a lot of sculpey or fimo and then requires a lengthy ccoking time to ensure that it is done throughout. I learned this from making other things out of this media.
I have turned the blank like any other, just sharp tools and light cuts.

 

[BigguyZ]

How would you finish the clay? Natural, or with CA or some other film finish?

 

[nava1uni]

I sand it until it is quite smooth and then I use acrylic lacquer for several coats using steel wool "0000" between each coat and wiping clean. It finishes nicely. I think you can also use CA, just never have done it.

 

[randyrls]

If the color is important, When baked darker clays become a bit darker. Add some white to the clay to lighten it up. Bake longer, if necessary, but do not use higher temperature. The clay will burn and turn much darker. If you get into this in a big way, use a dedicated oven not used for food. If a one-time thing, you can use the kitchen oven, but enclose the clay in disposable aluminum pans.