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Anyone tried to use metal clay for pipe silverwork? I just found a book on this in the library and it looks very intriguing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_clay

It's bit pricey but the flexibility it offers might be worth the extra money. Any comments?

Karol

Wow, that is some amazingly cool stuff! Yeah, I'm thinking this would be a perfect way to make decorative bands, etc.

Says you can even fire it with a butane torch.

The only downside to keep in mind is that it shrinks like 8-10 percent, so we'd definitely need to factor that in: make it like 10 percent oversize, fire it, and then size the pipe according to however the ring turned out.

But it seems like it should make silver work considerably easier for regular folks.

Definitely gonna have to try me some of that stuff.

Thanks for posting.

Really cool! I think I may try that stuff too!

I recall reading about it awhile ago. It sparked my interest at the time. A bit pricey, but easier to shape & size than silver bands.

This place looks like a good supply source: http://www.pmcsupply.com/

from my brief googlestigation it's about 3 times more expensive than "normal" 99.9% silver. which is a lot... but then again there is no need for an anvil, hammers, ring mandrel, soldering stuff and everything else that would be required to get the basic jewelers corner going. stuff that can be found on Internet is very inspirational too:

http://images.google.co.nz/images?q=met ... a=N&tab=wi

If you can make it work, more power to you. I picked up a couple packets, and after two days of struggling with it, I tossed it all in the trash. My hands don't know how to work clay, apparently, and all I did was make a mess.

You might try making the stuff you want with regular clay before spending the cash on metal clay. Get the real clay - the stuff that comes out of the ground, it has a similar texture and behaves the same way when it comes to hydration.

KurtHuhn wrote:...You might try making the stuff you want with regular clay before spending the cash on metal clay...

great idea, will give it a go!

/karol

VERY expensive. Be prepared to waste a lot. FWIW, after much fiddling, I found it easier just to have a jeweler make me some thick, plain silver bands to specific ID sizes and carve on the silver myself, rather than trying to mold anything with PMC.

Trever... completely off-topic question for you. Not knowing a lick of French, how does one correctly pronounce Ligne Bretagnes??

Matt

hazmat wrote:Trever... completely off-topic question for you. Not knowing a lick of French, how does one correctly pronounce Ligne Bretagnes??

Matt

LEE-nyuh Bruh-TAN-ya

I get asked that so often it's actually the first question in the LB FAQ

http://www.talbertpipes.pair.com/bretagnefaq.shtml

At the beginning, I was very tempted to dub them the Brittany Line, which would have saved lots of questions, but at the dubious cost of sounding like some cutesy pop star's clothing line.

TreverT wrote:LEE-nyuh Bruh-TAN-ya

That's what I thought. Thanks!

TreverT wrote:At the beginning, I was very tempted to dub them the Brittany Line, which would have saved lots of questions, but at the dubious cost of sounding like some cutesy pop star's clothing line.

What? You have a problem outfitting pipes in plaid school-girl skirts?? I kind of figured if anyone could make it happen, it'd be you.

Karol wrote:Anyone tried to use metal clay for pipe silverwork? I just found a book on this in the library and it looks very intriguing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_clay

It's bit pricey but the flexibility it offers might be worth the extra money. Any comments?

Karol

Sorry to resurrect such an old thread, but I work pretty extensively with clay silver so this thread peaked my interest. Anybody tried this stuff yet? I think this would look as good on a pipe as it would on my finger.
[img][img]http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr54 ... IM1909.jpg[/img][/img]

Anyone interested on some custom rings for pipes just PM me and I'd be happy to make them for you at cost of materials ($20-$30) a ring. I would really like to see this stuff incorporated into some of the great pipes that you all make. Maybe someday I will be skillful enough to use it myself...

I'm diggin' the texture on that ring! I bet you could make a few of those in what may pass for "standard" (or shall we say "usable") pipe band sizes and sell 'em. While it's harder to make a pipe to fit a ring, it can be done. Especially for a ring like this where one would want the texture to stand a bit proud of the stem/shank junction anyway.

Alan L wrote: While it's harder to make a pipe to fit a ring, it can be done. Especially for a ring like this where one would want the texture to stand a bit proud of the stem/shank junction anyway.

The material actually shrinks very predictably. I could do the ring whatever inner and outer diameter the maker wanted. It really is cool stuff.