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#1 ·
Modeling tools - for clay blog

Modeling tools
for clay

I have to many things going on, one of them is the clay, I love the contradiction between the clay and the wood, one need to be cut, one so soft that it needs only a touch.
In the wood we have the rigid set of rules that we try to bend to give it beauty, in the clay it's all bend and we need to try and put some rules to make it speak.


On Wednesdays I do nude model clay croquis.
It's difficult, really, two times twenty minutes for each pose, no more no less and so you just need to be done when the model leaves. I love it and hate it - right from my heart!
When doing this I used to use my hands a lot for modeling, now I use almost only the palette knife and wire tools for shaping and then different modeling tools for details and difficult spots to reach.
I have a bunch, but needed out of love to make some my self.


This is what we are talking about, my box of clay tools.
I will tell more later, just needed to show a picture so you know what I am talking about.


Some scrap wood, here a arm from a hardwood parasol.
Cut to length on the table saw.


Then to shape on the band saw.
(Forgot to take the picture before final shaping, so put it back to show you).


Shaping on the Supersander wheel, like I do with my knifes.
I love this process.


Flat areas on the disc sander.


Finish up with scrapers and sand paper.


Then I burn my brand into them.


Here a little selection from that day.


Danish oil and wax.
On the right a bamboo knife and spoon I converted.


So here they are ready for use.


Bamboo or any wood spoons, forks and knifes can be converted easy.


Even chopsticks.


Great for tiny details.


You can never have to many, but really you need only a few.
(A look into my box).


Here a set I made as a gift for a kind woman at croquis, she brought me home made snaps, so I thought it was fine to make her a little gift.


The latest I have made, now in new colors also. ;-)_o


Here some of my other stuff, little Japanese inspired clay toubako boxes, been told the Japanese call this clay discipline cabinet making…


Work in progress.


Mr & Miss.


Demon of vanity - who have given up hope.

You might also be interested in my Clay rolling and cutting board: http://lumberjocks.com/projects/99038

Hope it can inspire others to make tools.

The best of my thoughts,
Mads
 
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#12 ·
Hi,
Just realized I never got to comment back on this one sorry.
Tyvekboy, yes it is way less force demanding, but your brain will get no rest.
Rayan, I had no training in this, actually I was surprised my self to learn that my hands liked the clay as if they had been there before… rebirth…
Sergeich, I am still fighting to figure that out… Am I an artist or just a man trying to express what I fell…
Ian, it's never too late, he will be happy for some tools from your hand.
Jim, dear Jim, yes it kind of hat to be like that, when I worked with the bought tools I realized I could make some that would suit my demands more.
mcoyfrog, I think you use a good word there rewarding, that is what it really is.
kiefer, thanks, yes they do feel just right and I use these most, so I guess our hands know what they need.
Greg, I should give it a go just for you. I did try in a French baguette and that was possible.
Mike, thank you from my heart.
MadJester, the deamon came are one of a series, they all represent feelings I have been through, especially the one I wrote you a mail about. ;-) I shape the tools from what I think I need.
Thank you all.
Best thoughts,
Mads
 
#16 ·
Personal clay tools, cutter, wire and new handles

Personal clay tools
cutter, wire and new handles

I had some bad quality Clay Ribbon Cutters and was tired they bended also a cutter wire but with useless handles and this was why I got going.


This is what it is all about, making a simple personal wire clay cutter and a Clay Ribbon Cutter.


My wonderful daughter gave me this set for Christmas, after I had made the new cutter, so now I have a fine selection and can trash the cheap cutters completely, what a lucky dad I am.
(Andy I burned them, here because they have a tendency to fly away where I go with them, smiles).


Spin the lathe…


Shape away.


Ends fitted to the brass ferules, used the size I had.


Here comes the fun part.
Inside a car window washer there are a long thin stainless steel bar, this is really cool for many projects and can be found in the trash at almost every gas station.
This one I bend to the desired shape with pliers.


Drill a hole in the handle, so I can make sure my version will never fall out as the cheap once I had.


Cutting a dado for the cutter.


Now I can let the ferule lock the cutter in place.


Like this…


Here we are, a cutter.
I also epoxy the ferule in place, but basically that is not needed.


To make it really sharp I now shape the cutting edge and the cutter are ready for use.


The wire cutter handles are turned and I drill a hole through the center.
One side just a wee bit smaller than the wire and half way through from the other side, with a bigger drill for the securing.


Then loop around a wee piece of spring, to secure it and tighten in.
Here you can also make a knot if you use fishing sting instead of wire.
(The advantage of wire are that it is more easy to untangle.


So that's it folks!
My Personal tools, it is a extra joy to use something your own hands have made, at least for me.


I also use these painters tools a lot for the clay, but did not like the bad quality lacquered handles, so I decided to upgrade them while I was at it.


First the old handles had to go.


One of them got a new handle same shape, but a wee bit bigger to fit my hand better.


Like so after oil, polish and wax.


The other I wanted to be a palm fitted tool, so it got a small round handle.


Here they are in my clay tool box.
I have been using the tools for a while now and are really happy with them.

You might also be interested in my Clay rolling and cutting board: http://lumberjocks.com/projects/99038

Hope it can inspire others to make their own tools or bring more life to existing once.

The best of my thoughts,
Mads
 
#17 ·
Your burning is forgiven Mads, they came out great. Whenever I see the tools you create, I find myself wanting to use them and venture into new realms of creativity with new materials. I haven't modeled clay since I was at school. I have used a lot of plaster and filler though. Does that count? Probably not.
 
#24 ·
Mafe's clay tools - spatulas from hack saw blades

Personal clay tools
spatulas from hack saw blades

Some of you know that I also work with clay, this is kind of a sharpening method for me.
Clay croquis are a really intense way of sharpening your; eye - brain - hand interaction.
To try and make an interpretation of what you see and stay out of the perfectionist trap.


Here a clay croquis figure I made.
(The black and pink vase and bowl are also mine).

As with every thing we work with, we learn more and more about the process and so we get preferences in material and tools, so just as with the wood tools I like once I get the hold of the process, to make my own tools that suit my way of working.

For the clay croquis I found out that a spatula are a real favorite of mine, it makes me more free in mind, since I can't get to detailed and then focus more on the shape.
The only problem I have with the spatulas that can be bought are that they are too rigid, and I like it to have more spring.


The one steel I could think of being cheap and easy to get, was hack saw blades.
These comes indifferent hardness and rigidness, some are even called flexible.
So with a Dremmel tool the blades are cut to shape, on the right you can see the first one I made.


All shapes you can think of are possible.
On top you see a small knife tool, these blades are excellent for that also, just don't burn the metal, then it will become to soft, so dip in water often.
The reason I choose the shape I did, was to make a thin neck, in this way you can make it flex even more.


Also I mad the round blades, these are for making intersection points for casting in plaster of Paris.


Here you can see that in the back ground, behind a cast I did.


So here comes the wood part…
A ferule for a handle, just match up the size with your caliper.


And make what ever shape makes you happy.
The one to the left are for my teacher at casting class, the one of the right for me, guess you can see my wood reference.


A saw cut made.


Fine fit.


And it can lock the cut.


Sanding of the extra wood to make a tight fit to the ferule.


No the round blade can be mounted.
If the fit is not perfect, then use epoxy. ;-)


Casting tools are ready.


I like to keep some of the paint on the blades, this to add a small story to the tool.


Now time to put a handle on the clay spatula.
Some natural string.
Form a loop as I do.


Then roll up.
Here you see why I kept the teeth, they provide good grip for the string.


Roll up until you reach the desired length, then put the string through the loop.


And pull in the other end, like this the string will be locked inside the handle.
Quick and easy!


Cut of the ends.


I choose to burn of the threads.


White glue.


Rub it in.
And leave to dry over night.


Clay spatula.


Together with all the other tools.
(Yes I know, I have too many tools).


Also made one with a tunable blade for the knife / saw.
Like this the cutting part can be stored in the handle.


This was the inspiration, a casting class with an amazing Danish artist and me making this casting of one of my little demons.

Two of the spatulas became gifts for friends there and the teacher seemed happy for his little tool also.


This is the notes from my sketch book from the casting work shop.
(Writing in Danish).


Like this I can remember the process.

You might also be interested in my Clay rolling and cutting board: http://lumberjocks.com/projects/99038

Hope it can inspire others to make their own tools.

The best of my thoughts,
Mads
 
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