Homemade Bronze And/or Copper Metal Clay

by wiggins8472

8.3K7412

Intro: Homemade Bronze And/or Copper Metal Clay

This video has the instructions on how to mix your own copper or bronze metal clay from ingredients that are available online. The cost per 100 grams is about 1/4th the cost of commercial pre-mixed metal clays.


Mixing and Firing videos to follow!

11 Comments

rycres 10 years ago

is this the same type of clay you can fire with blowtorch?

Sugarimp 4 years ago

Yes you can. You need to cover the top part of your piece with flux (like handy flux), place it on a bed of activated charcoal, and then fire it to dull red for a few minutes.

Logan Jewelry 6 years ago

Anyway know how to make art clay copper? I love artcay copper but its only addviable in 50 gram pack.

wiggins8472 10 years ago

Unfortunately, no. A programmable kiln is required as you have to fire in a "reducing environment." This means that you have to limit the amount of oxygen that gets to your piece. Bronze and Copper have to be fired in activated carbon in order to produce this type of environment. Silver does not need to be fired with less oxygen present and can therefor be fired with a torch.

Bruchhaus 8 years ago

Hi I made this and the clay was wonderful. But it didn't sinter. It crumbled like sand. Could someone tell me why?

Cat00x 8 years ago

Hi Wiggins, I hope you make your next instructable soon, so we can all learn how to mix it and use it. Thanks.

kynac 10 years ago

I should say I set the temp to 1785 F held for 2 hours 22 min

kynac 10 years ago

​I bought all the ingredients, and the clay turned out beautiful. It was excellent to work with, ...But , the firing was a total flop. I have the Rio Grande kiln like you have in the video. Set the temp and held it for 2 hours and 22 minutes. The pieces crumbled like sand when I took them out. From what I have read, it means they didnt sinter...so back to the drawing board. Any suggestions Alan ? Did you have this problem at some point in your experimentation ?( PS thanks for sharing your metal clay knowledge :) )

kc8hps 10 years ago

Hey wiggins. I just fired copper with a torch ill share more with you about my recipe if you contact me. Put Metal Clay in the title so I dont miss it :)
Pease Bryan. To_late2snooze at y hoo. Thx

Dorkyruski 10 years ago

This is unbelievably helpful to someone who's interested in PMC but doesn't want to spend as much, thank you!
How would you make it into actual clay? Adding water?

kc8hps 10 years ago

I watched your video on YOUTUBE several days ago then I found you here.

Have you tried to use any other inert other than Methyl Cellulose? I have found it to be quite expensive. Do you have a source, link to the 1lb container you referred to in your video? You can reach me at to_late2snooze at yahoo if you would.

Bryan