How do you build custom sculpting tools?

[hestan101]

hi all
im about to embark intot he world of scultpting, and i need to make my own tools. how? ??? let me explain, i need to make an impinting tool that makes hexagonal imrpints (on 28mm scale) how would i go about doing this? as far as i know i know it has something to do witjh using paint brushes?
thanks, he\'stan

 

[freakinacage]

i have used a cheap multi tool kit and refined the head shapes myself. heresy do some niceones. i like the gw tool too

the best i have though are an old sewing needle filed down and two old knitting needle things. i think they ae for cross stitching or something. i ground them down to the shape i wanted then sanded them smooth

i\'d highly recommend some clay shapers too

for hexagonal imprints, i would use some plastic rod and file it. or just buy hex plastic rod

you can also make little tools from wire and use a pin vice as a handle. this is good for travelling kits where size matters!

 

[sg2009]

i agree with what freak said but for stuff like hexagonal imprints i have an immensely small allan key which works, but i dont know where they sell them i got mine from a friend, i dont know what they use them for wither ???

 

[Shawn R. L.]

I\'m endlessly making new sculpting tools. Some cheap (key word) materials that are easy to form are heavy gauge copper wire. Don\'t know the proper gauge numbers but I like roughly 1/8 inch copper wire - the kind the house is wired with (U.S.) and smaller sized aluminum knitting needles are good. Over 1/4 inch and they are made of tubing. Cheap and easy enough to make. Have some 800-1500-2000 grit sand paper handy for polishing. Toothpaste on denim/canvas makes a good polishing surface.

 

[rextalon]

I purchased dental tools from a local supply store, but I had to reshape some of them with a file.

Here\'s a helpful hint if you need to reshape anything with a file...

USE A WHET STONE. The file marks in your metal tools will rust. They will also stick to your sculpting medium more and make uneven surfaces unless you polish the metal.

 

[nick232]

Originally posted by sg2009
i agree with what freak said but for stuff like hexagonal imprints i have an immensely small allan key which works, but i dont know where they sell them i got mine from a friend, i dont know what they use them for wither ???

meccano!

 

[Rastl]

I\'ve pounded out the ends of sewing pins and T-pins into some pretty cool sculpting tools. Add a Sculpey handle and you\'ve got some fun.

Note - most of these pins are plated so you\'ll have to file off the plating that flakes after pounding the heck out of them but that\'s a minor thing.

 

[Legacy Account]

Courtesy of Cyril Abati\'s site:

Use allen keys and Milliput to make the press moulds

 

[Dragonsreach]

Originally posted by Spacemunkie
Courtesy of Cyril Abati\'s site:

Use allen keys and Milliput to make the press moulds

Oh Scott you little minx. lol
I owe you for that, cheers mate.

 

[Legacy Account]

It\'s one of the most useful tutes I\'ve found on the web and none of it\'s in English and you can\'t bloody link to the page!!!!

I wish he\'d post a translation here on CMON....

 

[freakinacage]

if i were making a press mould, i would use gs as it has more flex, which is hand when releasing the pressing

 

[Legacy Account]

The Milliput moulds are for press moulding heated sprue to get plastic impressions!

 

[Sjakkie]

Not directly in answer to your question, but related and interesting: this site by Ming-Hua Kao has a lot of useful tools on it http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v490/minimaker/Mini sculpting-Tools/

Good luck!

 

[freakinacage]

Originally posted by Spacemunkie
The Milliput moulds are for press moulding heated sprue to get plastic impressions!

ooh interesting. got a link to the article?

 

[Sonnyslayer]

http://www.reapermini.com/TheCraft/27