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savageworlds β Lasting Impression
Published: 2009-04-29 03:50:45 +0000 UTC; Views: 2497; Favourites: 30; Downloads: 49
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Description
Inspired by the amazing polymer clay creations of =ValerianaSolaris , I have designed an experimental set of 'stamps to use for creating patterns on polymer (or other types) of clay. The tools were cut from 1/8"(3mm) acrylic plastic, using a narrow angle engraving bit on a Gerber 3-axis CNC router. Next step will be to try similar designs on the CO2 laser.Related content
Comments: 39
You force DA to make an "art tools " category ! ( yeah that will pop right up..lol )
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I like to swear, especially into large sewer pipes! ( don't tell your mom ok ? )
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LOL I think I can make a tool to fix that.
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"When the only tool you own is a hammer, every problem begins to resemble a nail."
- Abraham Maslow (1908-1970)
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These are pretty amazing Tom! I bet the precious metal clay people would love these.
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You are probably right about the PMC folks (and perhaps even the ceramics crowd) I need to do some serious thought about developing this.
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Thanks, Jeff! Now if I can find a little time to use them.
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i hear ya, you're welcome
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Thanks for the compliment!
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What the!? I could use these for airbrushing...
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That might be an interesting idea! I may try cutting a few for airbrush stencils.
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Those look like a lot of fun, I love the designs you create.
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Thanks, Jeff! Half the fun is coming up with the patterns.
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These are wonderful, great work man
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Thanks! I'm beginning to have second thoughts about putting too many designs on the same tool. It gets in the way of doing repeated end-to-end stampings. I may just do short segments as single stamps.
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Gosh! I am really stunned now! I canΒ΄t wait to get these and start working with them!! Oh, and thanks for linking to my site
The only thing that just worries me right now is what kind of plastic it is. Polymer clay has a tendency to eat up other plastic due to the plasticizers/diluents that keep it smooth before baking.
The handle of my pasta machine which I frequently use to condition the clay is slowly but surely falling apart, and I had to cover my workplate with Saran wrap because the tiny pieces of clay that dropped onto it while working started eating little holes into it if I left them on.
Maybe it would not be a problem if the tools get thoroughly cleaned after use.
There is a site called glassattic [link] , she usually has all the answers to every question one has regarding polymer clay, and I will try to find out which plastic is safe after work today.
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Glad you enjoyed the preview. I was blissfully unaware of the reactive nature of the polymer clays. I will conduct some tests immediately. I had originally thought to make the tools from aluminum, but the time (and cost of engraving bits) pushed me this way for the first round. Thanks for digging up that info! It tells me that polyethylene will perhaps be a better choice for the production run than acrylic (plus, it's more flexible).
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Oh yes, I enjoyed it very much! I even dreamt of your tools 
"Real" acrylic might indeed not be a problem. I know acrylic rods are used for working with clay. I guess my workplate is not acrylic, but some other kind of plastic, so hopefully everything goes well with your test. A (cheaper?) alternative might be wood. I also use rubber stamps for the clay, as well as silicone stamps, and had no bad effects yet.
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Great! Those were among my next choices, especially wood (primarily for the laser) and silicone (which is in use in our mold-making department)
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Impressive tools. Loving the designs. You are so talented, Tom.
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Thanks, Cheri! Now I just need a good business manager to market my ideas while I'm off on the next adventure.
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Making the tools you need is often as much fun as the project they're for.
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You are absolutely right about that, Rick.
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Thanks, Lee! The configuration (multiple patterns on the same tool) presents some difficulties, but the individual stampings are remarkably crisp. I may try lexan for more flexibility if these work out well. Cost to produce a set this way (with the router) is prohibitive, but I could probably have them stamped or cast for mass production.
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aye, these would do really well in in the craft market should you decide to cast them
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Thanks for the vote of confidence! I'm wondering about using something more flexible like silicone rubber or even just polyethylene plastic. Might make it easier to work on curved surfaces.
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Oh, you mean making the molds themselves more flexible? knowing a few folks who work with sculpey, most wouldn't mind peeling a piece of sculpey off a solid nicely crafted mold, then laying it onto a flat surface to regain shape (if thats what you're meaning). If i was to make a texture with one oer a curved surface, I'd go and press one flat, then use that piece and lay it acrodsss the curve, or "roll" the mold onto the curved surface
think that "as is" n a mold format would actually suffice for most folks
wow, hope that made sense
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Perfect sense. I see what you mean. I may have another 'wrinkle' now though. =ValerianaSolaris just clued me to the fact that polymer clays actually react with and degrade certain plastics.
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oh snap, completely forgot about that 
maybe finding out what material press in molds that are available are made from might help!
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Good news. Three days of direct contact with acrylic shows no effect, same for polyethylene (Tupperware).
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ooo awesome! usually when it has a problem, it'll be within a few hours that it would stick to things...
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