Guess my latest project (pic included)

[PHArchivist]

Scroll down for a pic. Some folks have already narrowed it down...


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Anyone know if there is a way to cure Sculpey withut baking it?

I have a Sculpy form that has other plastic materials affixed to it that would melt in the oven.

 

[KidL]

You might be able to slowly cure it with a hair-dryer or heat-gun.

 

[Prefect42]

KidL read my mind.

I've used the hair dryer successfully many times. If you have heat settings set it on medium. I've done this with plastic underneath and have had no problems.

The only down side to this method is that the sculpy cannot be too thick. I've done pieces up to maybe 1/2 inch thick with this method.

The heat gun works well too. It obviously gets hotter and will scorch the sculpy rather quickly if held in one place for any lenght of time. The scorch mark isn't a problem if you paint. But the sculpy can also bubble.

Good luck.

Ted.
Prefect42.

 

[KnightAsylum]

I have used a hair dryer for this many times, and it works well. Although it is true it can't be too thick.
I would also say that time also works. Not that I use this method myself, but I had some new Sculpey in a closet for about 3 years, and somewhere along the way it harden up all on it's own. Not my recomended method, a bit slow.

 

[Jumpin Jax]

Better yet, PH, boil it.
Yep, I said it. I've been customizing figures for a while and the key to curing the stuff without melting is boiling it. It will penetrate thickness, just leave it in a little longer. Plenty of water and depth, try to not weigh it down so it won't sit on the bottom. Works everytime.

 

[KnightAsylum]

I never would have thought of boiling. So crazy, it just might work.
I am sure it does actually, nice suggestion, I will give it a shot sometime.

 

[PHArchivist]

Boiling wouldn't work for this application, but the hair dryer may be perfect.

 

[propsculptor]

Also leaving it in the sun or on a window ledge will bake it without burning it (Unless you are in a very cold climate)

 

[PHArchivist]

I forgot to ask -- how long with the hair dryer? My item is only 1/8" thick, and the hair dryer is rated at 1250

 

[Prefect42]

The hair dryer I use is rated at 1600 watts. As mentioned above, I run it at the low settings. (It only has high and low.) I hold the dryer about 4 to 6 inches from the piece and move the dryer back and forth. Let it blow on the piece for about 3 minutes and then VERY CAREFULLY touch it to see if it is hardening. The sculpy starts to look dry and dusted with white. It almost looks like a light dusting of baby powder has been applied. I just check it every couple of minutes and see how it is firming up.

Best of luck. And please let us know how your work turns out.

Ted.
Prefect42.

 

[juno]

I put it in a lower temperature oven for a longer periord of time. Works fine. I also use Sculpey III which has the lowest firing temp of any of the polymer clays.

 

[PHArchivist]

So far so good. Seems to be working well. In response to the tip, here's a glimpse of the project.

 

[hoverboy]

What is it gonna be?

 

[PHArchivist]

Oh, someone around here will guess what it is.

 

[dropshipbob]

Looks like a gunpowder pouch.

Just last night, I was trying to cure some sculpey pieces without the use of an oven. The sculpey was on a plastic surface too, I tried using a heatgun, but it didn't seem to set the clay all the way through...but I only kept the heatgun on it for a little while...got impatient. I then tried pouring boiling water over the clay a few times, and this cured it to a point. I then just pried off the clay and boiled it the rest of the way.

 

[mtsbspidey]

i use sculpy on my custom toys all the time...i used to use a hair dryer...but lately i've taken to putting them in front of a space heater for a little while...skott

 

[PHArchivist]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dropshipbob @ Feb 6 2007, 03:43 PM) [snapback]1413133[/snapback]</div>

Looks like a gunpowder pouch.

[/b]

VERY close.

 

[SmilingOtter]

I've seen some leather water bottles that looked much like that.

 

[PHArchivist]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SmilingOtter @ Feb 7 2007, 04:54 AM) [snapback]1413579[/snapback]</div>

I've seen some leather water bottles that looked much like that.
[/b]

Closer still.

 

[gunnerk19]

A chicken pot pie with an emergency escape hatch?
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:lol