sculpting a figure - gauge of wire

[hobbylady]

I had bought an 8.5 inch female resin figure off of e-bay a couple of months ago and realized that I can cut it down to what I need,i.e, torso and pelvis to sculpt my own figure.
I need your advice as to what type of gauge wire to use as I'm not sure what would be best.
Still bendable but not too thin.

 

[bonehead]

Get thee down to a local arts & crafts store and look for aluminum armature wire. The 1/16th inch size should be perfect for this scale: heavy enough to maintain its shape, but pliable enough to allow for easy positioning.

Good luck!

 

[hobbylady]

Thanks Mike I'll do that!

 

[diamond cutter]

I very rarely use wire anymore, even for the most extravegant poses. Tryin to carve thro it is a ball ache!! Think of anatomy and compensate with putty, it's better in the long run

 

[closerlookbooks]

Mike, may I ask what gauge wire you recommend for 54mm figures?

 

[closerlookbooks]

Mike, may ask what gauge wire you recommend for 54mm figures?

 

[bonehead]

Mike, may ask what gauge wire you recommend for 54mm figures?

I use copper wire for smaller figures. I have no idea of the "gauge". I get it from radio Shack who sell it in a package of three reels of wire. The heaviest of the three is the stuff i use for small scale armatures. I hope that helps...

 

[Anders Heintz]

Try 18 or 20 ga. copper wire for 54mm figures.

 

[theBaron]

I use florist's wire, I picked up a spool of it at a craft store (Michael's). I don't remember the gauge offhand, but it's like the wire used in older radios, etc. When I need it to be thicker, I can twist a couple strands together, and it's very pliable, very easy to work.

Prost!
Brad

 

[closerlookbooks]

I did not intend to ride on the coat tails of the initial post. Thanks to Anne for posting the question for me to think of asking my question here. And thanks to each one for your advice.

 

[Einion]

Not to overlook an everyday source of wire, don't forget about paperclips.

Einion

 

[Anders Heintz]

Paper clips are nice, but if you ever run into a problem where the wire is too close to the garment and needs to be sanded down you are in a bit of trouble. Copper wire is easily sanded down should the need arise.

 

[diamond cutter]

RE above post: Using the Putty you are sculpting with for the armature solves that particular problem

 

[Anders Heintz]

Pete,

Absolutely, but I like to see the finished pose of the figure and play with the pose to ensure a natural pose before adding putty. A wire armature allows me to do that, while a putty one wont.

 

[neill]

LAte entry, but I also find Aluminum Antenna Support Wire at Radio Shack or similar stores works great for armatures and to articualte figures. Cheap too!

Neill

 

[martin tabony]

I keep electrical cable off cuts and strip off the sleeveing.

Martin

 

[Einion]

Paper clips are nice, but if you ever run into a problem where the wire is too close to the garment and needs to be sanded down you are in a bit of trouble. Copper wire is easily sanded down should the need arise.

I prefer the stiffness over copper or aluminium in thinner gauges.

As for sanding mild steel down, it's no problem if you're fully kitted out

RE above post: Using the Putty you are sculpting with for the armature solves that particular problem

I find getting the post just right much harder this way since the putty will try to slump under its own weight. Do you have any particular trick for overcoming this tendency?

Einion

 

[Anders Heintz]

I prefer the stiffness over copper or aluminium in thinner gauges.

As for sanding mild steel down, it's no problem if you're fully kitted out

Sure, strength can be an issue with copper wire, which is why when needed I'll use a heavier duty type or wire for the legs. Usually the arms are the only issue with needing sanding anyways, and they seldom need a whole lot of strenght so copper is fine. Now if the arms were to support lets say another figure or something, then I'd either go with a hevier duty paper clip or piano wire.

 

[diamond cutter]

I generaly use a bit of putty from say the shoulder to the elbow in the right position, dry it off solid under the lamp then do the sam from the elbow to the wrist. I usualy leave a lump of putty to carve into the hand which i do first. if you support the putty as it drys it works ok.

 

[amcairns]

I also use copper wire.Its fairly inert (if thats the word)because it will set the pose and not spring back like some brass does. For 54mm figures(new to this scale)i have some 0.8mm wire for armatures ,and 1/16 figs ,something like 1/16 about 1.5mm.I ve pretty much nothing new to say.
Cheers
Andy