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Sculpting Tools for Greenstuff/Milliput/Whatever else


Haywire

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So. With Christmas looming, I need to write a Christmas list (Yes, I know I'm too old for Christmas lists for Santa. No. I don't care. I'm still a child at heart, dammit!)

 

An upcoming project of mine (Hahaha!) will involve a fair amount of fine detail work with greenstuff, most likely. At the very least, greenstuff or other epoxy resin-type things will be used within it. To that end, I have a single question for those folks out there who are vastly more experienced than I am.

 

When it comes to the sculpting tools with the greenstuff, what sort of tips do I want? I remember reading somewhere previously on the forum that rubber-tipped tools are the better ones to use for sculpting greenstuff because they don't stick to it as much... or something like that. Is that actually the case? If not, then yes... as asked above, what sort of tools should I put down on my list for Santa to bring for me?

Personally I wet my improvised metal tools (screwdriver set, tweezers and modelling knife) to avoid needing the more expensive tools.

 

As for actual choices of ranges, well I've always improvised them, looking for anything with the right size and shaped edge.

So. With Christmas looming, I need to write a Christmas list (Yes, I know I'm too old for Christmas lists for Santa. No. I don't care. I'm still a child at heart, dammit!)

 

An upcoming project of mine (Hahaha!) will involve a fair amount of fine detail work with greenstuff, most likely. At the very least, greenstuff or other epoxy resin-type things will be used within it. To that end, I have a single question for those folks out there who are vastly more experienced than I am.

 

When it comes to the sculpting tools with the greenstuff, what sort of tips do I want? I remember reading somewhere previously on the forum that rubber-tipped tools are the better ones to use for sculpting greenstuff because they don't stick to it as much... or something like that. Is that actually the case? If not, then yes... as asked above, what sort of tools should I put down on my list for Santa to bring for me?

 

I've never used the rubber tipped tools, but some folks swear by them. One friend of mine uses them and says they're great for smoothing rough shapes, and sculpting flowing, organic shapes.

I personally use the all metal three-tool set from Army Painter. I simply grease the tools with Chap-Stick and they never stick to anything.

I practically swear by clay shapers. I bought a set of them about two years ago and the only one I don't use often is the cup chisel.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Colour-Shaper-Black-Tip-Clay/dp/B0043GWDQ6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418225916&sr=8-1&keywords=clay+shapers

 

I also use metal tools on occasion, but generally the above set is an excellent starter kit.

I use some dentist's tools, some wax carving tools and a handful of clay shapers. Made the odd thing here and there myself when I needed something specific like a stamp or something like that.

Clay shapers are great for smoothing stuff out. Put a bit of water on your finger and you get the same effect though, you won't get into tight places with them though. If you really want to sculpt something they are - only by themselves - not the right tool for the job imo, but they are a great addition to your toolset, especially for cleanup and to smooth larger surfaces.

I've worked as a full time sculptor for some time, hopefully this will help.

 

I use 'Pro-create modelling putty' or grey stuff rather than green stuff these days, it's easier to use and less sticky.

Tools wise, I use clay and colour shapers and hardly use anything else, so I'd certainly recommend starting there. I used to keep a cup of water next to me when using greenstuff to dip a tool into, although since changing to pro-create I don't need the water. Instead, I'll now and then lick the tool to reduce friction, although be careful not to ingest any!

 

I use size 2 white (the softest type), flat chisel and size 1 grey (medium firmness), flat chisel and round point for large flat areas like armour.

For 90% of what I do, I use a size 0 grey flat chisel. A size 0 black flat chisel (the firmest) which is cut in half for tiny bits where a regular size 0 won't work. I have a set of size 0 black tools but I have never used the 'cup' shaped one.

 

I occasionally use a really old gw metal sculpting tool for things like fur and scales, but I generally find them too harsh for anything else. I use a modelling knife for lettering.

 

I agree with BFeeder and ShinyRhino, between the Army painter kit and that clay shaper kit you'd be able to do just about anything. Add to that a size 1 grey flat chisel for large flat areas like armour plates (if  you intend to do some) and a modelling knife (which you probably already have).

I use rubber and metal.

I find metal quite useful for 'fleshing out' the shapes as they're a lot harder so easier to push the GS around, I'll refine with rubber.

There're all sorts of little tools that you can improvise which are really useful. At the moment I have a needle - fairly rounded tip - jammed into a biro, which I use when I'm sculpting more freehand shapes like aquilas etc.

Xacto knife, with lots of blades - GS blunts stuff like no other

vaseline

 

Most importantly

 

PATIENCE

Everyone mentioned tools already. The one that I read a while back and have been very thankful for? Nivea cream. It's a skin moisturizer and I use it in place of water. I suppose others might work but I'm not sure what's in them. The one I found is perfect because it's in a round tin with a lid. I highly recommend it over water or saliva.

Alright. Thanks for all the replies, guys. A lot of very useful information there - certainly a lot more than I was expecting!

 

The Christmas list to Santa has been updated accordingly. At some point in the early parts of next year ( I hope ), I'll get some pics and shizzle up in the WIP section to show what I'm (I hope) working on!

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