Question about modeling compounds ie: Play Doh

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A user is seeking a compound to create a mold that will securely hold a camera in a specific position when placed face down. The desired material should have a clay-like consistency, not be overly sticky, harden within a day without significant shape change, and maintain its form for at least a year. Suggestions include using Sculpey, a polymer clay that can be baked, which is available at craft stores and is certified safe by the Art and Creative Materials Institute. Concerns about toxicity can be addressed by consulting the manufacturer's website. An alternative method involves using aluminum foil, which can be shaped and densified to create a temporary mold, although it may not support heavy weight.
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I'm making something I can rest a camera on, face down, that needs to hold it in the same position upon being taken out and put back in. The camera has a "streamline" type design so I've decided to use some sort of molding that will fit its contours. I am at a loss as far as knowing what compound should be used for this.

In short, I'm looking for a compound with the consistency of clay that isn't too sticky and will harden in less than a day without changing shape significantly, and stay that way for at least a year.

thanks
 
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Well you could try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sculpey" , if you have access to an oven. It's great stuff, easy to work with, plus it comes in all sorts of colors.

It's available at arts and crafts stores.
 
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hey you're about to have 1000 posts
 
I'm not too sure about putting that stuff in my oven, sounds unhealthy
 
Capt. Obvious said:
hey you're about to have 1000 posts

Wow, I am! Too bad posts in GD don't count, I'd be way over 1000 by now.
 
rootX said:

Nice :smile:.

Well Capt., if you're concerned about toxicity, you can consult the company's web site.

Polyform Products Company is a member of the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI), the leading authority on art and creative materials. Through this membership, all of our products undergo rigorous toxicological testing before they are allowed to bear the ACMI certification seals. These seals let the consumer know that we conform to ASTM D 4236, the chronic hazard labeling standard that is now part of the US Federal Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act (LHAMA). For more information on ACMI and certification seals, go to www.acminet.org.

http://www.sculpey.com/faq/safety"

But if you still are skeptical there's an alternative that I've used in my lab, for when I need a "thingy" of a certain shape (wedge, shim, spacer...that sort of thing). I take a large piece of aluminum foil and scrunch it into what I need. I use a small hammer to densify it so it's not too flimsy. Of course it won't hold a lot of weight, but for a cheap, quick "thingy" it sometimes does the trick.
 
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Capt. Obvious said:
I'm making something I can rest a camera on, face down, that needs to hold it in the same position upon being taken out and put back in. The camera has a "streamline" type design so I've decided to use some sort of molding that will fit its contours. I am at a loss as far as knowing what compound should be used for this.

In short, I'm looking for a compound with the consistency of clay that isn't too sticky and will harden in less than a day without changing shape significantly, and stay that way for at least a year.

thanks
Go to a hobby shop, they'll have whatever you need, but it it remains soft, you'll have to do a bit of reshaping everytime you replace the camera, obviously.
 
lisab said:
Nice :smile:.

Well Capt., if you're concerned about toxicity, you can consult the company's web site.



http://www.sculpey.com/faq/safety"

But if you still are skeptical there's an alternative that I've used in my lab, for when I need a "thingy" of a certain shape (wedge, shim, spacer...that sort of thing). I take a large piece of aluminum foil and scrunch it into what I need. I use a small hammer to densify it so it's not too flimsy. Of course it won't hold a lot of weight, but for a cheap, quick "thingy" it sometimes does the trick.
aluminum foil, should have thought of it myself
 
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