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Tips for using epoxy putty
elph
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Seoul, Korea / 대한민국
Member Since: November 13, 2005
entire network: 319 Posts
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Posted: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 - 03:21 PM UTC
I'm using a Mr happy epoxy putty similar to miliput. I don't have a lot of experience using it. I find it hard to handle it especially getting it to stick to the model without it sticking to my tool or finger. I've used it for weld seams and minor gap filling. I use water to prevent it from sticking when rolling it into a long weld seam, but if I cut it into a particular shape it sometimes sticks to the bench and distorts the shape. I read using talcum powder helps, but haven't used it. Should I wait until the putty hardens a little before applying it to the model? Will the talcum powder affect the putty? Also, whats the best way to roll it flat without it breaking or tearing. Any advice using it would be much appreciated.
CMOT
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ARMORAMA
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Member Since: May 14, 2006
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Posted: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 - 05:25 PM UTC
Milliput responds well to the use of water and extends your working time while giving you a better/smoother finish, however I don't know how the product you are using is responding to it. If you use a powder it wont stick to the work surface and wont want to stick to the model either, is a cheese wire or fine scrapper an option to free up your work, remembering to keep them moist so that the shape isn't dragged with the tool as you free it from the work surface. Hope this helps.
HONEYCUT
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Victoria, Australia
Member Since: May 07, 2003
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Posted: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 - 08:58 PM UTC
Hey Brett
It depends on the exact use for the putty in question. You can apply in a lump and smooth on the model, letting it cure for a while before slicing/removing some of the mass or before adding detail.
You can roll long worms of putty between your fingers, and then add to the seam (for example) before using a blade/tool for detail that has been wetted with saliva or water. I have never gone the talc route to prevent sticking, but this isn't to say it won't work. Just find the method best for you. What is the putty you are using?
Brad
Andronicus
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Member Since: March 13, 2007
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Posted: Friday, September 05, 2008 - 11:34 PM UTC
Hi,

I have been using Milliput for years and I swear by it. What you are describing is one of the trickiest things to attempt with putty - to sculpt your shape on your desk and then apply it to a model while it is still soft. It is miles easier to apply the putty to the model - having roughly got it to the shape and size you want first and then fine sculpt it once it's on the model, cutting away excess etc.

For this I use all sorts of odds and ends, dentist's pick, neetles, bits of wire, plastic sculpt tools etc. I have to say - unhealthy as it probably is - my preferred lubricant is saliva!

(To make specialised sculpt tools I actually use milliput itself---a blob on the end of some wire sculpted and sanded to whatever shape I need - it's a handy and cheap way to get the perfect tool for that specialised job.)

I have only occasionally tried using talc but haven't really got on with it as a method. When I have wanted to make a flat/long shape on my workbench I wrap clingfilm round a flat piece of scrap wood - sculpt my shape onto that, let it set completely, then unwrap the wood and peel the clingfilm off the back of the sculpt. I used this method when making a Thomas The Tank engine style face for a truck I was building for my son.

Milliput does have some flex to it once cured--- esp if it's a long thin shape so if you prefer you could create miles of weld seams using the clingfilm method - letting it cure then cut it to size and glue onto your model and keep the rest back for other projects.

Cheers

A

elph
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Seoul, Korea / 대한민국
Member Since: November 13, 2005
entire network: 319 Posts
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Posted: Sunday, September 07, 2008 - 12:15 AM UTC
Excellent ideas all round (don't know about the saliva). I'll try using the cling wrap, sounds like it fits the bill for what I want to do.
Andronicus
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Member Since: March 13, 2007
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Posted: Sunday, September 07, 2008 - 12:40 AM UTC

Cool. Glad to be of help---give it a go and see how you get on.

A
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