epoxy clay, magic sculpt or other?

[naf5058]

I have just gotten back into sculpting and have been working with super sculpey. It is very easy to work with but I want to start using an epoxy clay for finer details. I think I'm going to order some magic sculpt based on reading through the forums and articles, however i'm not sure what color to get as i have heard some are much easier to work with than others. Should I get white or natural? I am not set on Magic sculpt if you guys would recommend apoxy sculpt or some other brand. Also does anyone have experience on ordering form http://www.michael-robertsltd.com? They have the best price for a pound of magic that i have found unless someone can direct me to cheaper. How long does it normally take for an order to ship?

Thanks guys,
Nick

 

[Steve]

Michael Roberts is one of the most reliable dealers of things miniature anywhere. They ship as fast as they can. You will not be disappointed.

 

[redhorse]

Looks like a really good price to me. I've found that I prefer the grey color and Magic Sculpt is my favorite.

 

[Einion]

Should I get white or natural? I am not set on Magic sculpt if you guys would recommend apoxy sculpt or some other brand.

You pretty much have to try stuff for yourself and see how you like it. Each person's opinion of something might be completely different - a few sculptors are perfectly happy making masters with Milliput (including the standard Grey-Green and not one of the finer types) which I pretty much loathed when it was all I had to work with. Of the things I've tried MagicSculp is my personal fav in terms of easy mixing, workability (both 'wet' and after curing), cost and shelf life.

The regular colour for MS is fine for many sculptors but for smaller-scale work you might find that one of the colours will allow you to see detail a little more easily because they're more opaque (although you can easily tint the regular type as you mix if you needed to).

Also does anyone have experience on ordering form http://www.michael-robertsltd.com? They have the best price for a pound of magic that i have found unless someone can direct me to cheaper.

You in the US?

FWIW, I'd go with the 5lb pack since it's so much cheaper ounce for ounce. On the off chance you didn't get on with it you could sell on pounds of it on eBay and make a tidy profit.

Einion

 

[geralds]

Micheal Roberts LTD. Top notch prices and service! You won't go wrong!!!

 

[wesr]

I use super sculpty (which i prefer) and I also got 10 pounds of oil clay which I think might only work for some bigger projects after handling it. I agree you have to test the materials to see which you prefer. A lot of folks I know like apoxy sculpt but to me it's way too sticky.

 

[Einion]

A lot of folks I know like apoxy sculpt but to me it's way too sticky.

I found it way too sticky when I first used it too. You can cut this down quite a bit with talc if you need to, or wait to do most of the shaping work after it has cured a bit and lost its initial paste-like consistency.

Einion

 

[Dan Morton]

Be aware that all the two part air-dry sculpting products have some potential health drawbacks. You need to take precautions. I bring this up only because you mentioned you are a newcomer. I use Magic-Sculp and Kneadtite myself, but with caution. This is a short post I made some time ago on the subject.

Safety and Health Precautions for two part putties​

A hobby shouldn’t make you sick!

These precautions are based on the following products and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) information provided by the manufacturer.

• Rezolin LLC “A+B” or 9900A resin and 9900B hardener, MSDS dated 110102
• Apoxie Sculpt Parts A & B, MSDS dated 090192
• Magic-Sculp resin and hardener, MSDS dated 062294
• Polymeric Systems, Inc., Kneadatite Blue/Yellow, MSDS dated 052505

Rather than describe the chemical components and individual safety and health issues of each product in detail, I’ll summarize the information sculptors need to protect themselves. There are some differences in chemical make-up, but a similar set of precautions can be applied to all of them. In my opinion, none of them are “non-toxic” or harmless. They can all cause health problems, mostly skin and respiratory sensitization allergies.

Uncured products​

Eye protection strongly recommended. Wear glasses or goggles. Keep your hands out of your eyes! These products are eye irritants. If you get them in your eyes, immediately flush with lots of water and seek medical aid. If you experience eye discomfort with excessive blinking and tear production and/or marked redness and swelling, seek medical aid. Existing eye conditions may be affected by exposure.
Skin protection recommended. Wear rubber gloves. I use thin nitrile rubber gloves available from supermarkets. The products are skin irritants and some are sensitizers. If you get them on your skin, wash with soap and water and remove the products completely. Even though I wear gloves, I also wash my hands thoroughly after each session where I mix or sculpt putty. Seek medical aid if your skin forms blisters or reddens. Existing skin conditions may be affected by exposure.
Inhalation protection such as a respirator or local ventilation should not be required unless you have an existing respiratory condition that is affected by exposure. If you use a respirator, get one that fits your face closely and use organic vapor cartridges. Use the products in an area where there is good general ventilation.

Fully cured products​

Eye protection strongly recommended. Wear safety glasses or goggles when you sand, grind, saw or drill. Keep your hands out of your eyes! If you get the dust in your eyes, immediately flush with lots of water.
Skin protection normally should not normally be needed. Wash with soap and water and remove dust.
Inhalation protection such as a respirator recommended when you sand, grind, saw or drill. Use a respirator that fits your face closely and use dust filters. Use the products in an area where there is good general ventilation.

These are broad general safety and health precautions intended for most hobbyist sculptors and may not apply to some individuals. If you have specific questions about the products, contact the manufacturers. Protective gloves, eye protection and respirators may be purchased online from various art product stores. If you have questions about them, drop me a PM.

All the best,
Dan

 

[wesr]

I learned the health issues with super sculpty in art school. I didn't wash my hands once and there was just enough to make a mess of my throat and I'm still getting throat and sinus infections easier than before after that. I also found that a 2 part plumbers putty at a home improvement store actually is basically apoxy sculpt.

 

[Einion]

Same curing speed though? Most of the plumbers' putties I've seen give no more than 10-15 minutes of working time at best.

Einion

 

[wesr]

Same curing speed though? Most of the plumbers' putties I've seen give no more than 10-15 minutes of working time at best.

Einion

It seemed about the same, I was mostly using it to fill seams and gaps in a 1:1 scale Aliens Pulse Rifle kit so i didn't have to shape it all that much.