NEW to the World of Precious Metal Clay (PMC)?
March 11th, 2010For PMC beginners the most confusing thing is, “What tools do I need?”, so here are a few suggestions to help you along the way:
PMC Suggested TOOLS:
A roller – used for rolling out the clay
A rolling surface – Non-stick as possible e.g. a glass board or polished tile
Spacers or playing cards – for getting the depth of the clay even
Cutting blade, scalpel – For getting straight edges and making your shapes.
A small lidded pot – to put filings & tiny offcuts into so you can save them for making silver clay paste or slip
Various grades of sanding pads - or get a 4 way nail filing block and strip the sides off.
Badger Balm or Olive Oil for stopping the clay sticking to your hands and tools.
Tools for Precious Metal Clay
FIRING METHODS:
For Hob firing, stainless steel mesh with protection net.
Torch firing – Handheld torch and a firing brick (asbestos substitute not a household brick )
Kiln – If you can get access to a kiln then use it, the metal is normally denser and the results more consistant.
Stainless steel or brass brush – for brushing off the white post firing and leaving you lovely silver.
Silver polish & Cloth – for getting the final buffed up shine.
Some Optional Extras:
For ring making – A sliding ring guage, A wooden ring mandrel, and ring papers (to stop clay sticking to the mandrel).
For Better finishes – A small set of metal files for neatening edges quicker than sanding them down.
Long Tweezers – For holding / moving the pieces when firing
Liver of Sulpher – For antiquing or bringing out fine detail
Burnishers & ultra fine sanding pads – Post firing for a REAL shine!
Cutters & Shapers – Using pre-shaped cutters e.g. hearts will same time and give you more consistant shapes
Tiny drill bits – you can twist them in your fingers to drill through the unfired clay & make jump ring holes & hanging points.
Texture Mats/plates – Roll the clay out on these and you’ll have fabulous patterns straight away!
Letter Stamp Set – For stamping words into unfired (rubber stamps) or fired clay (metal stamps).
Why not check out our ready-assembled Starter Precious Metal Clay kit packed with everything you could possibley need to get started with PMC. Alternatively, if your not a PMC novice click here to view our full range of silver clay kits including our Art Clay kit and complete silver clay accessories kit, tumbler kit and tool kit.
Starter Kit for Precious Metal Clay
