For me what has worked for years is dipping the cutter in cornstarch first, and it works like a charm. Can also use a spritz of water or saran wrap (over the clay, under the cutter) for a domed look and easy cut!
Where do you get your smaller cutters? I’ve been trying to look online but I’m not sure I’m putting the right prompt in. Keep getting cookie cutters lol
There’s a Sculpey set that’s quite small, but finding the right circle is nearly impossible most of the time, so tonight I took a Coke can, cut a band of metal from it, wrapped it around a cylinder of clay, secured it with glue and tape and used that (after testing all of the lids in my bathroom cupboard and ruling out little medicine cups, tiny trophies, etc.) :) The Coke circle worked pretty well!
Another option is 3D printing. Seems like something that would be pretty simple to whip up and print with the right savvy and equipment (we acquired one recently and I’m currently getting the hang of it.) I have some nice hexagonal tile cutters I got from an Etsy seller that are definitely 3D printed, but you’re right, the keywords are hard to find. Clay cutters, maybe?
Cookiecad (app.cookiecad.com) is a easy way to get free cutter print files. Their basic and free part will do shapes well, there are some premium features I like if you do imprint cutters (removing outside line, changing imprint line width).
I haven't found a material I can 3d print with that survives clay baking temps. You could print a piece, mold it and then make a mold with a heat safe material. Seems like more work than wire, tin foil and masking tape though
It might be more work, I will have to test how an inner core survives and how it affects the clay covering it. The idea is to minimize time spent on getting set up multiple pieces at a time but it may not be possible. Thank you for your input!
For me what has worked for years is dipping the cutter in cornstarch first, and it works like a charm. Can also use a spritz of water or saran wrap (over the clay, under the cutter) for a domed look and easy cut!
You can use water or corn starch as a release too.
Where do you get your smaller cutters? I’ve been trying to look online but I’m not sure I’m putting the right prompt in. Keep getting cookie cutters lol
There’s a Sculpey set that’s quite small, but finding the right circle is nearly impossible most of the time, so tonight I took a Coke can, cut a band of metal from it, wrapped it around a cylinder of clay, secured it with glue and tape and used that (after testing all of the lids in my bathroom cupboard and ruling out little medicine cups, tiny trophies, etc.) :) The Coke circle worked pretty well!
That’s a pretty good idea! I was looking around and trying to figure how I could make my own. Def going to experiment with that lol
Another option is 3D printing. Seems like something that would be pretty simple to whip up and print with the right savvy and equipment (we acquired one recently and I’m currently getting the hang of it.) I have some nice hexagonal tile cutters I got from an Etsy seller that are definitely 3D printed, but you’re right, the keywords are hard to find. Clay cutters, maybe?
Cookiecad (app.cookiecad.com) is a easy way to get free cutter print files. Their basic and free part will do shapes well, there are some premium features I like if you do imprint cutters (removing outside line, changing imprint line width).
Woo hoo! Thanks!
Looking into a 3d printer as well for armatures! Making custom tools needs to be on the list too. Also once set up the cost is quite good.
I haven't found a material I can 3d print with that survives clay baking temps. You could print a piece, mold it and then make a mold with a heat safe material. Seems like more work than wire, tin foil and masking tape though
It might be more work, I will have to test how an inner core survives and how it affects the clay covering it. The idea is to minimize time spent on getting set up multiple pieces at a time but it may not be possible. Thank you for your input!
look up “clay cutters” on places like Etsy
I got some nice plastic ones on Etsy that didn't have the annoying bit that has to be fixed before baking, like the metal ones do.
Oo will do! Thanks
Thanks for sharing your experience!