Author Topic: Clay type in casting nose caps (Read 2084 times)

Roger B · « **on:** August 25, 2019, 02:46:46 AM »

What type of clay do you guys use in making "dams" when casting nose caps? I've read the recent strings about nose cap casting, but dont remember anyone naming a favorite type or brand.
Roger B.

elkhorne · « **Reply #1 on:** August 25, 2019, 07:54:00 AM »

Roger,
Look up the thread “clay for pewter pour” by smallpatch dated June 01, 2018. I think it has the type of clay you are looking for. Good luck.
elkhorne

msellers · « **Reply #2 on:** August 25, 2019, 08:19:35 AM »

After reading tutorials and discussions on here I bough Sculpey bake clay for doing pewter work. It can be had cheaply at Walmart. Need to play with it some more, but so far am happy.
Mike

elk killer · « **Reply #3 on:** August 25, 2019, 02:04:49 PM »

I have used kids silly puddy with good results many many times

Dennis Glazener · « **Reply #4 on:** August 25, 2019, 02:29:35 PM »

Quote from: elk killer on August 25, 2019, 02:04:49 PM

I have used kids silly puddy with good results many many times

I tried using some clay/putty that my wife had for a group of kids she had in a church group. It melted! Caused a big mess. Pewter ran down into the barrel channel and somehow got into the tennons/cross pins I had a huge mess and it took me forever to get the barrel out of the stock. Best test whatever you are going to use before actually using it.
Dennis

Mauser06 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 25, 2019, 02:55:03 PM »

Learn from my mistake. Make sure it's the right clay!!

I thought I had the right clay....I've never seen such a mess. I even used black....it basically turned I to lava. All over the stock.

Wish I could remember what I used...

westbrook · « **Reply #6 on:** August 25, 2019, 03:19:36 PM »

Some good ideas here....

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=49522.msg490847#msg490847

jerrywh · « **Reply #7 on:** August 26, 2019, 02:05:24 AM »

The best clay is obtained from a pottery supply. The dime store stuff is not real clay.

Darkhorse · « **Reply #8 on:** August 26, 2019, 04:09:20 AM »

I use the stuff bought from Walmart. I found it in the hobby department, I think it was Sculpey oven bake clay, white. I'll try to remember to look in the shop tomorrow. Anyway I tore off a piece and held a torch to it just to see if it would melt.
It works good.

Goo · « **Reply #9 on:** August 26, 2019, 04:11:32 AM »

Using anything with water base moisture content will create steam silicon base putty would probably work but as Dennis said previously test it first. There is the heat resistant silicon sealer in tubes designed for use in chimneys.

Roger B · « **Reply #10 on:** August 27, 2019, 03:32:50 PM »

Thanks, guys. This is gonna git ugly!
Roger B.

45-110 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 27, 2019, 05:15:27 PM »

Over the years I have poured many pewter caps. I always used tablet backer cardboard. Wrap with fine wire and used wooden match sticks wedged in the 2 corners where the barrel and forearm meet. Try to leave the wrap oversize (slightly funneled) to finish up the pour flush with wood. When pewter is hot enough to scorch a match stick its ready to pour. Make sure the tight dowel is in place. Clay might or might not work, but this method does and no staining of the wood from any oils the clay might have. Also some clays may off gas...bad for the casting.

smallpatch · « **Reply #12 on:** August 28, 2019, 02:37:02 AM »

Roger,
I used oven hardening clay that I got from Hobby Lobby. Don't remember the name, but it doesn't melt under heat, it hardens. Thin pieces just kinda scrape away.

Robby · « **Reply #13 on:** August 28, 2019, 02:49:49 AM »

I use plumbers putty. Never had a problem and It lasts for ever.
Robby

Ky-Flinter · « **Reply #14 on:** August 28, 2019, 03:19:31 AM »

Some "clay" is actually plastic. It melts. Like Smallpatch said, real clay hardens with heat.

-Ron

Darkhorse · « **Reply #15 on:** August 28, 2019, 03:29:03 AM »

I checked the clay I used, I have a few extra sticks still in the box. As I thought, it is Sculpey oven bake white, I bought it in the hobby section of Walmart and it works great.

Dphariss · « **Reply #16 on:** August 29, 2019, 06:26:40 AM »

Don't use clay.
Plug RR hole.entry pipe if needed with a dowel.
Cut slivers of wood at the barrel channel hold with tape.
I usually wing it on the area around entry pipes. But anything that contains water will cause issues. I would just roll up some duct tape, card stock etc to fill the gap. I secure the mould 3-4 layers of cardstock, with surgical tubing. It will pull the "mould" tight to the forend.
Make sure the metal cannot run down the barrel channel. If the fit is not good put some masking tape in the barrel flats. You done want it keying the barrel to the stock.

Dan

Scota4570 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 29, 2019, 04:53:37 PM »

cardboard, tape, dowel, aluminum foil. No clay.

John Shaw · « **Reply #18 on:** August 30, 2019, 06:22:52 AM »

DPhariss is right. Forget the clay and use heavy paper. I tried plaster of Paris once a long time ago. Might have worked if I'd have let it dry longer. An old geezer, must have been in his sixties, told me to use paper, carefully cut pieces of wood, and masking tape. It worked like a charm.

JS

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Author Topic: Clay type in casting nose caps (Read 2084 times)

westbrook