Clay tools depend on the type of clay you are using. If you are using clay to make figures, jewellery, figures, etc, it is modelling clay. So, there are different types of tools for each type of clay.
Clay tools are mainly two types- the air dry clay tools and the oven dry clay tools or the polymer clay tools. In air dry clay tools or natural clay tools you have cutting tools, texturing tools, Sgraffito Tools, Sculpting tools, etc. In polymer tools you have cutting tools, rolling tools, shaping tools, baking tools, etc.
Choosing the right clay and the right clay tools for your project is one of the most important things. In this post, first I will give brief information of different types of clay. And then I will explain the different types of clay tools.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CLAY
Basically, there are two types of clay-air dry clay and oven dry clay. In addition there is a third category of clay-plasticine. It is a oil based clay. Let us see them in details
Air Dry Clay
This type of clay dries in open air at room temperature. It takes at least 24 hours to dry. It also might take a few days to dry depending on the thickness and weather condition. You can add water to this clay to soften it and reuse it.
Natural Clay
Natural clay is also known as Sculpture Clay or Natural Clay or Shadoo Clay. You can buy this clay or make it at home. To make this clay you have to use ceramic powder and glue or white cement and glue.
Paper Clay
Paper Clay can be easily made in your home. It is ideal for your big projects. Beasuse, does not crack or shrink musch and is very strong. Moreover it is lightweight.
Homemade Cold Porcelain Clay
This clay shrinks 20-25 % after drying. So, you should not use it for sculpting. It is best for making small models and figures. It can be used for flower making, jewellery
Oven Dry Clay
Oven Dry Clay needs baking in the oven to get it hard. At room temperature it remains soft. Due to this property of oven dry clay you can work on it for a long period.
Polymer Clay
Polymer clay doesn’t shrink or crack. You need an oven to dry it. After curing or baking this clay in over, it turns like a plastic material.For making models and figures using this clay you need special tools.
Detailing work can be done over this clay. You can paint over it. This clay is best for jewellery and figuring.
Salt Dough/ All Purpose Flour Clay
Salt Dough clay is made using all purpose flour, salt and water. It is mainly used for kids projects and Christmas ornaments.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CLAY TOOLS
You have seen that there are basically two types of clay- air dry clay and oven dry clay. Based on the type of clay you have to use different tools.
In the section below I will explain the different types of clay tools one by one base on the type of clay you are using to make your clay model.
Clay Tools for Air Dry Clay
There are a lot of clay tools available for Air Dry Clay. These tools will help you make beautiful clay models. I am going to list all the tools available for Air Dry Clay.
Cutting Tools
Cutting tools are the most basic and essential clay tools. Clay Cutting tools are mainly used to cut the clay dough and the clay model you are making.
Clay cutting tools are made of plastic and metal. It comes in different sizes, shapes and types.
Some of the clay cutting tools are wire cutter, plastic cutter, round cutter, plastic cutting strip,etc.
Texturing Tools
Texturing Tools in air dry clay are used to make texture on the surface of the clay model. You can use these tools to make different textures on the surface of the clay model. These tools add depth and design the model you are making.
The texturing tools for air dry clay are mainly made of plastic.
Embossing Tools
If you want to make a raised design or pattern, then you have to use an embossing tool. One of the common embossing tools is the dotting tool. It is a small pen but the tip of the pen is a ball-like structure.
Embossing tools come in different sizes and styles. You will find a pointed ball embossing tool and a big ball embossing stick. Mostly you will find double ended embossing tools.
Shaper Tools
These clay tools are used to give shape to your model. Shaper Tools are usually made of wood and plastic. But these tools can be made of metal also.
Some of the shaper tools are smile tools, roller, Silicone Pen Shaper, Ribbon Tool, Paddle Tool.
Sgraffito Tools
Sgraffito tools are used to scratch the surface of the clay model you are making. Scarting the layers of clay brings contrast to the surface of your model.
Sgraffito tools come in various shapes. It is made of hardwood as handle and the main tool is made of stainless steel attached to the handle.
Sculpting Tools
Clay sculpting tools are the most essential tools needed for your clay model. It is used to create smooth edges and curves to your clay mode.
Clay Sculpting Tools are either made of metal or hardwood. They come in different shapes and sizes. Each sculpting tool has its own purpose.
Some of the common clay sculpting tools are ribbon tools, needle tools, loop tools, etc
Painting Tools
After making your caly model, you have to paint it to give your final touches. So, to paint it you need painting tools.
The most common painting tools for clay models are brush. Mostly art brush of size #0, #00 and #000 is used.
Clay Tools for Oven Dry Clay
Clay tools for oven dry clay are different than air dry clay tools. They are more specialized than air dry clay tool. Let me explain the different types of clay tools for oven dry clay in details.
Work Surface Tools
To work on polymer clay, setting up your work surface is very important. The working surface should be non-porous. Because polymer clay has a lot of oils in it and if you just lay it on any surface, it is going to leach out into the surface. Moreover, when oil is absorbed by any surface your clay will become stiffer.
The best work surface tool is a teflon mat or glass piece.
Rolling Tools
The most essential rolling tool for your polymer clay is Acrylic rod. Its length of the rod is usually 8 inches long and 1-2 inches of diameter.
The best thing about acrylic rod is that it is non-porous and non-sticky. You should using other materials like wood and plastic. Because these materials react with polymer clay.
Brayer is also a polymer clay rolling tool. It is an acrylic rod with a handle to roll the rod. Pasta Machine can also be used to roll polymer clay into thin sheets.
Polymer Clay Cutting Tools
To cut your polymer clay, you need some cutting tools. Some of the baic cutting tools are exacto knives, razor blades, polymer clay blades, super slicer, etc
Polymer clay blades have blunt ends rather than sharp one. Polymer clay blades can be either made of plastic or metal. You can also use a polymer clay blade to remove clay stuck to your working surface.
Clay blades come in varying flexibility and shoes. Flexible blades are used for cutting curves. Clay blades come in wave shape also called wavy blades. All these type of blades can be used to lift the polymer clay sticking to your surface.
Polymer Clay Shaping Tools
There are a whole lot of shaping tools for your polymer clay model. Most of the tools are known as sculpting tools. They are either made of plastic, silicone or metal. Some of the common shaping tools are discussed below.
Silicone Modelling tools have two silicon tips at the end of the plastic handle. It is used for attaching small pits of clay to another surface. It can also be used to flatten the surface of clay. Basically it is used to give shape to your polymer clay model.
The tools used by dentists are widely used in polymer clay modelling. These tools are used for creating texture. It is also used to attach tiny bits of clay to another surface.
Ball Tool
Ball tool for polymer clay is one of the basic tools for polymer clay modelling. It is made of hard wood and metal end. It is like a double ended pen. Nibs are attached to both ends having ball like structure.
Ball tool come in many different sizes. You can use a ball tool to create the eyes and mouth of your polymer clay model. It can even be used as a texturing tool.
Baking Tools
The most important baking tool to bake your polymer clay is an oven thermometer. The next is obviously your oven to bake your polymer clay model. Moreover you need a tile to put your polymer clay model on to the oven and an aluminium foil basket to cover it.
Oven thermometer is used to keep track of temperature while baking your clay. If your polymer clay model is under-baked or if the temperature is’t high enough, your clay will be brittle and break. If it is over baked it will be scorched.
CONCLUSION
Summing up, you have now known that there are different clay tools for each type of clay you are using. Air dry clay has different clay tools and oven dry clay or polymer clay.