Hi All! I’ve been teaching a Silver clay classes at an art center.
One of my student’s came across an ad for Art Clay. I checked out
the site to see what they had to offer. Just wanted to get other’s
feedback and see if anyone has worked with their clay before. They
have a starter kit that includes a butane torch for an option for
firing. I’m not too sure about this myself, any thoughts? Also,
does anyone know of any other discount options for buying PMC? Rio
just raised their prices a bit, and I am trying to shop and compare,
not really any other options out there that I can see.
I saw the same add and finally went to their web site. I found a
list of certified teachers and e-mailed one of them. I was very
curious about the torch. After about five “back and froths” I got the
impression that small peices can be torch fired by holding them at
annealing temperature. I have never used the torch that they sell or
provide but it seems to me that if I can solder and anneal with my
Presto-Lite, I could fire their metal clay. I think that a few years
ago I ws told that it is less dense than PMC. I have used the PMC and
was less than impressed with my results. I found the very small
amount of clay to be intimating. From what all I have read, it can be
worked very much like the poly clays. PMC used to have a web site but
I haven’t looked for it recently.
You can torch fire either one with a butane torch from the hardware
store. The piece has to be small, not have a combustible core or
stones in it. Art Clay sells a video that shows the process.
Torch firing is possible, but I always wonder if it’s really “cooked”
all the way and prefer to use a kiln.
Hi, Katrina and Marilyn – I am a Sr. Teacher with Art Clay and have
done a little work with PMC. I find they work much the same. I think
the Art Clay results in a denser product (perhaps more comparable
with PMC II). If you want more details, let me know – I would be
glad to share more info.
I don’t know that the price structure is a lot different than PMC.
There is a discount for certified teachers and an additional discount
for Sr. Teachers, but no discount for quantity purchases.
Probably the biggest difference I have seen between the Art Clay and
the PMC thatthe Art Clay fires at 1600 degrees F for 10 minutes and
I know the PMCtakes substantially longer.
Small Art Clay can be torch fired, but the result is not as dense as
the kiln firing. It results in a slightly more brittle piece (more
air pockets)and it is more difficult to solder on. I prefer to use
the kiln, but if I torch fire, I think the result is better with the
Presto-Lite, as you can use a larger tip and it is easier to hold the
piece at 1000degress F for the time needed to burn away the binder.
Please let me know if you have any other questions. I would be glad
to let you know what I know about the Art Clay.
You can torch fire either one with a butane torch from the
hardware store. The piece has to be small, not have a combustible
core or stones in it. Art Clay sells a video that shows the
process.
Though I agree that one shouldn’t torch fire anything with a
combustible core, I’ve torch fired several pieces with stones set in
place with no trouble. Absolutely do not quench the item afterwards,
however, as it will likely cause the stone to break (just as with
kiln firing stones in place).
FYI, I only torch fire with my cheap propane torch. My oxy/acetylene
torch has proven to melt items rather easily.
There are a couple of tangible differences between the two, but more
things are similar than different. Both are 99.9% silver in clay
form. Both can be fired with torches or in kilns or with the
"hotbox". In addition, Art Clay has a couple of other varieties of
clay that PMC does not, including Slow Dry, which dries 5 times more
slowly, for extruding and detailed work; Art Clay 650 low fire, which
fires at 1200 degrees F., good for glass and firing with sterling;
650 Overlay paste, which is formulated to fire on porcelain and
ceramics; oil paste, which was originally intended for repairs, but
is recently being replaced by the Overlay paste. Our Paper Type,
which is like PMC’s Sheet type, is 10 grams and thicker than PMC’s.
Our educational systems are a bit different and our discounts are
different.
Why would you choose one over the other? Pepsi and Coke. I’m biased,
so I can’t offer an objective opinion. However, I CAN say that it’s
worth looking at both. Look at the pricing, how it does what you need
it to do, how you can use it, customer service and discounts. An
informed choice is the best choice. Ain’t a free capital system
great?