[TheForge] Fwd: "Modeling Dough"

[jerry Frost]

You can only do gross pattern weld development with modeling clay. Roll high
contrast colors thin to make the billet and forget about doing a lot of
folding, it'll homogenize in a couple. Think of it like a low res sketch of
the pattern. It's good for setting you on the right road, it won't take you
home.

I've found if you use hard and chill it, it'll behave more like hot steel
modeling complex (fiddly) pieces. 

I've never messed with other clays, doughs, etc. as forge models but its a
good way to rough map a new process or illustrate what forging means to new
folk.

Frosty The Lucky.

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Mike Spencer
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2019 8:24 PM
To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [TheForge] Re: Fwd: "Modeling Dough"


> If I understand it correctly, modeling clay is dry clay mixed with oil.

I it was either Dimitri Gerakaris or Chris Ray who put me onto using
plasticine.  The art stores in Halifax looked at me as if I had two heads
when I asked for it.  (People at the NS Art College must order from away or
do without.  Huh.)

At a/the big art store in Boston, they said, "Yes, Sir.  Hard, medium or
soft?"  What they had was made in Italy.  I've used it in demos when touting
the plasticity of iron in the smith's hands or previewing a lengthy process
such as making a dragon head.  But I've found it most useful to work out a
difficult shape, such as a seed pod or animal/beast head, to have a clearer
idea of where I'm going with the metal.

Seems to last forever although the surface may become hardened and have to
be scraped off of a lump stored for several years.

I did once try "pattern-welded plasticine" with multicolored kiddie stuff.
It didn't really behave the same way welded metals do.

FWIW,
- Mike

-- 
Michael Spencer                  Nova Scotia, Canada       .~.