Polimer clay: Going to do some experiments.

[Gunsmith Fiamma]

Hello fellow turners,

I had this 2 blocks of polymer clay hidden in a corner of a drawer for some years.
I was going to trow 'em in the bin, but I just wanted to try something new.
Why not making some blank out of it? After some poking, kneading,rolling and twisting(it's was very old polimer clay, so it's almost hard as rock and very dry), i got this 2 blanks:

As I expected from old clay, it developed some cracks during the baking process, but i will still turn it in to pens.
The lighter color is pearlescent and I'm pretty sure it will show a good contrast once properly turned.
The square one will be a gold european, and the round one will be a gold Fancy.
Since its almost impossible to bring this brand of clay to a shine, it will be finished with CA.
If the cracks will show in the turning I will fix it whit CA before the finishing process.
I will start next week and will see what will come out.

Stay tuned
Francesco

 

[Bill Mooney]

Best of luck, I look forward to your postings of the pens.

 

[Jim]

Good luck with the project Francesco, we look forward to seeing the results my friend ..

 

[paulm]

No matter what Francesco, its better to have tried and failed than not tried at all.

Hopefully it won't fail and you'll make some lovely pens from it.

 

[Penpal]

Francesco I think the method of use I have heard is to knead it roll it out flat fix it to the brass tube press decorations in and bake then turn but whatever mate have fun.

Peter.

 

[Woody]

I have done a few but the way Peter said cutting it in slices and press them on the tube and roll it then bake and turn that way there is very little waste but I hope your way works well for you

 

[wm460]

Look forwards to seeing the end result.

 

[Gunsmith Fiamma]

Francesco I think the method of use I have heard is to knead it roll it out flat fix it to the brass tube press decorations in and bake then turn but whatever mate have fun.

Peter.

Indeed mate, what you said is the correct method, but since I want to obtain a Mokume effect, I tried to form a blank. I'm not so skilled, with this kind of medium and the 2 blocks of clay, where part off a gift that I received from a ex girlfriend. She was very skilled with polymer clay and she did some 1/35 figure for my plastic models.
I did want to start turning those tonight, but tomorrow I have to wake up very early in the morning and I have to drive 300 Km, because of a gunsmithing fair here in Italy.

Cheers mate
Francesco

 

[Gunsmith Fiamma]

I have done a few but the way Peter said cutting it in slices and press them on the tube and roll it then bake and turn that way there is very little waste but I hope your way works well for you View attachment 14263View attachment 14264

Vic,
the one on the left is amazing!!! It will be a perfect gift for a teenager.

Thanks for the amazing photos
Fracesco

 

[Woody]

That one was done by twisting the 4 colours together rolling it out cut in half and repeat then cut slices of and stick them to the tube and roll n bake

 

[Buckeye]

I look forward to seeing how they turn out, I have been trying a mokume effect, but haven't produced anything I am happy with, yet.

Peter

 

[Gunsmith Fiamma]

First attempt at turning a pen........ Failed.........

Sadly, the effect is very good, but the medium is too brittle and cant take the CA glue very well

Tomorrow will try the square one, but I'm not expecting a better result.
Gonna scrape away the brass tubes and dip them in Acetone to get rid of the glue.

 

[Dalboy]

The blank may have failed but you did not, as without failure we can't move forward and find the success. Well worth the try which is a shame as the blank looked really good

 

[silver]

Well I'm tuned in to the next episode..... Looking forward to the square blank next..

 

[Gunsmith Fiamma]

2nd attempt.........

Hello mates,
I managed to turn the second blank and it came out decent.

This time it was a little rubbery and it was pretty easy to turn.
The blank, was full of air pockets in the twist sections, but the CA finish took care of it.
Gonna try it again with fresh clay of good brand (will try Premo), but not now, better when is a little warmer in the shop.

Thanks for following this post
Francesco

Ps: Took the photo with the Iphone, i will use my reflex camera again when I get ahold of a new light tent.

 

[Jim]

Got to agree with you Francesco, it sure did turn out nice my friend ..