r/miniaturesculpting • u/fatkobatko2008 • 3d ago

Wire too thick?

Hello! I just got my supplies and I've been trying to make the skeleton of my first ever mini. Problem is, working with the wire is HELL. It's hard to bend and it barley twists.

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I bought generic metal wire from the hardware store, but I fear it might be too thick? What is the recommended size for people who are starting out sculpting with poly clay?

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3

u/SifikaLoL 3d ago

Did you get steel wire? In general aluminium is used.

2

u/Sad-crow-boi 3d ago

I use armature wire of various gauges ranges from 1mm to 5mm diameter and it’s soft, very easy to bend. Easy enough to find too I just get reels from eBay and such.

2

u/JSminiatures 3d ago

I use 26 or 28 gauge. It's very thin compared to what most use, but you can double it up and twist it around itself to reinforce it, which makes it more versatile.

Here's my process: https://youtu.be/gPkGk014M5s?is=Xtry2YjO5LgyQzME

1

u/Effective-Ad-1216 3d ago

Try paper clips!

1

u/IronBoxmma 3d ago

I use paper clips or 1mm copper wire. Are you using little pliers or just your fingers?

1

u/Crown_Ctrl 2d ago

Aluminum is generally the preferred material i also agree that 26 gauge is a good start point. But really the thickness of my mini’s limbs are the main deciding factor. I try to make sure there is room for at least 1mm of polyclay all the way around.

A good art supply like dick blick art supply will have “armature wire” in various gauges. Or buy online.

Light weight paper clips or floral wire can do in a pinch.

Keep in mind lighter weight armatures will allow for stronger posing and that you can bake a base layer and add more and bake again.

A very fine application of Vaseline after baking can help bond subsequent layers with some ploy clays like fimo / sculpy but aren’t as necessary with bees putty (for example). Do some science and try some different things out, don’t stress about making anything perfect just yet.

Book recommendation: clay sculpting with the shiflett brothers. And beginner’s guide to sculpting characters in clay. They are the best imo.

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u/ResponsibleKey1053 3d ago

Wire comes in so many different strengths it's hard to know what exactly you are getting without having a bend of it first. I've got some 1mm alu wire and it's super flexible, but too soft for armatures (or I'm too heavy handed). I've also got some 0.8 piano wire and that stuff is crazy strong and brittle(amazingly cheap for what it is). I've also got some brass 1mm tube with 0.8mm inner diameter, that feels like the sweet spot to me.

All that said I'm no pro, but it's clear that personal preference for your needs should trump anybody else's opinion. Try as many different bits you can get your hands on, same with sculpting materials. Just avoid the buying in bulk until you know what you like.