Polymer Clay For Scales?

**jlindy** · 02-28-2010, 09:33 PM

I'm in the process of restoring my grampa's old H. Boker & Son's Red Injun. I'm at the point of considering materials for making some new scales for it. So I'm wondering if polymer clay would make good scales or would it turn out too brittle? Here's a before pic...

the scales were made from a process cheese box (Velveeta used to come in a wood box).

**Leche** · 02-28-2010, 09:37 PM

I haven't heard clay being used but I also would think it would be brittle. You could always try and let us know, however if they fail during use that would probably cause injury or damage that sentimental blade.

**jlindy** · 02-28-2010, 10:12 PM

I haven't heard clay being used but I also would think it would be brittle.

Well that's just it it's not clay per se, it's a PVC goop that you can model like clay and bake in an oven like a Shrinky Dink only it don't shrink. I don't have any experience with the stuff and was wondering if anyone here has. :)

**idleivey** · 03-03-2010, 09:36 AM

I've used poly clay for toy making and I'm not sure it would work very well. It can be fragile if too thin (like scale thickness). You would also have a hard time getting it smooth and uniform as it tends to pickup finger prints, dust and get very soft once its been kneaded. Also when it cooks it will change size slightly, it expands a bit. Of course a block costs like 10 bucks so it can't hurt to experiment.

**jlindy** · 03-03-2010, 05:33 PM

I was thinking of forming the clay into a rough shape then sanding it it's final shape. I've seen 2oz. blocks advertized for $2.00, so it would make for a relatively cheap experiment.
Guess I'll up and take the plunge and give it a go...

**luvmysuper** · 03-03-2010, 05:37 PM

There were some discussions on this topic at the shave den, and the consensus was it would probably work, if you used a backing plate, like thin steel or aluminum or some such.

I imagine that with polymer, you could get some amazing color variations and patterns.

**jlindy** · 03-03-2010, 05:45 PM

I imagine that with polymer, you could get some amazing color variations and patterns.

Yea, I was thinking of trying for a faux tortoise look.

**luvmysuper** · 03-03-2010, 06:07 PM

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Give it a shot and post some pics I say.

**idleivey** · 03-04-2010, 07:08 AM

A backing plate is a good idea. I've never had much luck sanding the stuff but I don't think I've tried a very fine grit. Let us know how it goes I would love to see the finished product.

**jlindy** · 03-16-2010, 03:06 PM

Okay, as a follow on I got a 2oz. block of the stuff at the local crafts store to do some materials testing. The conclusions I came to are, the brand of polymer clay I was using is too soft (Sculpey III), but that there are brands that are harder (just not available to me locally). The harder clays I think would work well with or without a backing plate.

As an update on my restoration project, I found some 1.5mm plywood in a box of good junk out in the barn. Here's a picture of my new scales to date.

Now all I need to do is get the pinning stuff down :P

**idleivey** · 03-17-2010, 07:00 AM

I also found Sculpy too soft so I use Kato polyclay. It's hard to find in a brick and mortar but you should be able to find it online.

**jlindy** · 03-19-2010, 02:54 PM

Another update on the restoration project. Here's a picture of the test fiting.

Here's another showing the balance... I think I got it about right!

**Pete_T** · 03-19-2010, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by idleivey

I also found Sculpy too soft so I use Kato polyclay. It's hard to find in a brick and mortar but you should be able to find it online.

So you've actually used it to make scales, and they worked like they should, and they clay wasnt too soft?

Just to add to the discussion (and maybe save someone some trouble) I tried Fimo a while back because it was supposed to be harder then sculpty, and it didnt work, either.

**luvmysuper** · 03-19-2010, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by Pete_T

So you've actually used it to make scales, and they worked like they should, and they clay wasnt too soft?

Just to add to the discussion (and maybe save someone some trouble) I tried Fimo a while back because it was supposed to be harder then sculpty, and it didnt work, either.

I think he gave up and shifted to plywood.

**jlindy** · 03-20-2010, 10:02 AM

I think he gave up and shifted to plywood.

Yea I did, but all is not lost the clay I have will make some knobs for another project (a cabinet for my fly tying junk).

**Pete_T** · 03-20-2010, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by luvmysuper

I think he gave up and shifted to plywood.

I was actually asking idleivey, he seems he might be saying that hes made scales with Kato polyclay. (I'm not trying to sound stand-offish or anything)

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Another use for the polyclay is making spacers or wedges, it seems to work pretty well for that. Its soft enough to sand easily, but it seems to be able to stand up to compression pretty well.

**idleivey** · 03-23-2010, 07:24 AM

Opps didn't mean to imply I've made scale cause I haven't. Ive use polyclay to make toys and stuff like that and have made things with a similar thickness to scales. Kato is just alot firmer to work with but once its set I don't think its any harder then Sculpy.

**idleivey** · 03-23-2010, 07:25 AM

Opps didn't mean to imply I've made scale cause I haven't. Ive use polyclay to make toys and stuff like that and have made things with a similar thickness to scales. Kato is just alot firmer to work with but once its set I don't think its any harder then Sculpy.

jlindy - Those scales look great! Are you using mostly hand tools?

**Pete_T** · 03-23-2010, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by idleivey

Opps didn't mean to imply I've made scale cause I haven't. Ive use polyclay to make toys and stuff like that and have made things with a similar thickness to scales. Kato is just alot firmer to work with but once its set I don't think its any harder then Sculpy.

Thanks, idelivery, my mistake.