NEW to the World of Precious Metal Clay (PMC)?
Thursday, 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.
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.


