Question: has anyone tried this, and how big a roller did you make?
I tried to make a 4 in (100 mm) wide strip around a 1 abd 1/4 inch dowel.
This seemed to dry too quickly to peel from a ceramic tile to put around the dowel.
Will try again smaller.
Dave
If you have trouble sourcing air-drying 'clay' you can make it fairly easily out of cornstarch and white glue plus a little oil.
The recipe I use is a cup of cornstarch to about 8 fluid ounces of white glue. Use a whisk (or whisk mixer) to blend them together until smooth with no lumps. Then add 2 fluid ounces (or 4 tablespoons if you want to use that measure) of cooking oil and stir in. I was also taught to add a couple tablespoons of lemon juice, but don't know the actual effect on the chemistry with the glue. Microwave this about 30 seconds, take it out and whisk it to distribute heat, then 30 seconds more. Pour this on parchment (cooking) paper that has some cornstarch sprinkled on it an gently knead it around until it isn't sticky to the touch.
When I used this for molding, I would let it air dry and then gently bake it a bit, then spray the front with a good varnish to seal and make it less likely to stick. Sprinkle a little talcum if it still does.
You may find it useful when rolling material that needs a consistent 'cross section' to use guide rollers either side of the formed 'roller' that run on rails of wood stock on either side cut and leveled to the right height.
I used this general technique to make 'top down' concrete roadbed profile complete with rolled-in ties and other detail for outdoor modeling of long mainline stretches; you can use both horizontal and vertical templates for curve transition spiraling with correct superelevation with a little care.
Michaels sells it
Joe Staten Island West
That looks pretty good.
.
I realized today that I NEED tunnel liners, and this might be a way to do it fast and easy.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Amazon has it. In colors too
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
DAS clay was availible in Canada 25 years ago. Check hobby supply shops.
Air drying clay, there's plenty of them.
Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:
My Railroad
My Youtube:
Graff´s channel
Interesting. Any idea what products in the US would be equivelent to DAS clay?
Thanks for sharing.
Richard
Hi all!
I made a tool for embossing stones in DAS clay.
The tools and stuff needed. DAS clay, an empty sugar dispenser, rolling pin, knife, glue and a good supply of small pebbles.
Roll out some clay with the rolling pin, it should be large enough to cover the plastic tube and be around 1/8" thick.
Emboss the clay with the pebbles.
Wrap it around the plastic tube, seal it together by pressing it. Then emboss stones at the seam.
When dry, seal the clay with varnish.
Roll out some DAS clay and then roll the stone tool over it, firmly!
Then lay it to dry.
You can drape it around objects to shape it while drying.
Next installment will be painting it.