Making aztec style guitar knob

[Jedi Clampett]

am trying to make an aztec style guitar knob inspired by the aztec stone heads http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=306504 (stone head photo about halfway down page)

I think that filo polymer clay or wood carving is the answer both of which are beyond my ability. Wonder if you have experience making a filo clay or polymer clay guitar knob? and if so what did you do? same thing if you carved wood? or is there other options? I am less concerned about project material as I am in having a functional knob and it will be a little bit wider than standard size so it will stick out.

[Dave Stewart]

I'd just make a round one (you got lots of good advice on how to do that in your last thread, although I didn't see a thank you) and then carve it.

[Jedi Clampett]

Dave Stewart
I can see where you are confused, this is a new topic and the other topic you reference is about guitar knobs using drawer pulls which doesn't apply to this topic. I hope we can stay on topic, because I am interested in making guitar knobs that look like the referenced link. It may be possible to make them in filo clay or to carve them out of wood. It is distracting to reference a topic that doesn't apply and I am interested if you have any experience making guitar knobs out of polymer clay or carving wood, soap stone (which I think will be too soft) to accomplish the look I seek? This is a completely different topic about a different guitar.

[Dave Stewart]

I can see where you are confused, this is a new topic and the other topic you reference is about guitar knobs using drawer pulls which doesn't apply to this topic. I hope we can stay on topic, .......It is distracting to reference a topic that doesn't apply ...........This is a completely different topic about a different guitar.

..drawer pulls??....where did that come from?
In the referenced thread you asked about making knobs without a lathe! You got answers that were relevant ! (So, I'd say it's obvious who's confused..)
My suggestion therefore was do that (out of whatever), then carve it!
You are free to do it differently.

[David Robinson]

Sculpt some fimo, bake it. then make a mould and pull some copies. make an assload of them, sell the extras on ebay.

[Jedi Clampett]

Sculpt some fimo, bake it. then make a mould and pull some copies. make an assload of them, sell the extras on ebay.

Have you done this David Robinson? I have no experience with polymer clay. Just wondering if anyone else has done this? and what their experience is? I am exploring different options for guitar knobs, but people with experience in polymer clay or other medium often have valuable advice. So DR if you do have experience how well did it go and what did you learn?

[Jedi Clampett]

For the record not interested in a pissing contest, but am interested in making guitar knobs out of polymer clay and hope we stay focused on this subject since I bet it is interesting to others besides me.

We can have a valuable discussion here and I hope that anyone that can contribute will not be distracted from the posted topic.

[John Sonksen]

Hey Jedi, this question isn't really easy to answer. I've sculpted polymer clay before, and I've had some art training. Do you have any experience carving anything or sculpting anything? If you don't, then anyone else's personal experience with it may not translate to your ability to do it. Do you have a plan for how to carve the face? Generally this would include a frontal view as well as a profile, and you'd sort of combine those two elements in three dimensions to get a realistic looking face. Really though, it can be complicated or it can be simplified, it can be abstract or it can be detailed, you can build up material to do it out of clay or you can start with a lump of it or a lump of wood and remove the negative parts from it by carving. I think you should just get some fimo clay and try it, until you get it in your hands I don't think anyone here can provide an answer that's going to satisfy you. I felt like Dave Stewart gave you a perfectly reasonable response as far as an approach you could take, (Since you had mentioned carving it out of wood in your post...), and you kind of jumped on his case about it and turned it into something that it didn't have to be. So, I'd say you're kind of spinning your wheels here asking a bunch of guitar builders about sculpting sculpy or fimo clay into knobs as it totally disregards the variable of experience and background. Do I think you could sculpt a face out of the stuff? Sure. Do I know anything about your artistic skill? Nope. Would I expect you to make something you're happy with the very first time you use the stuff? Not likely. More than anything you'd benefit from just trying some stuff, seeing how it turns out and practicing a lot at it. Most artists spend a long time honing their skills, but maybe it'll come quick to you.

[Jedi Clampett]

John
I would prefer we keep this on topic, do you have any experience making knobs with polymer clay? or ideas? I think if you John are not interested in this subject or any other subject, best to keep mum and your politics out of it.
The only thing I am interested in is polymer clay as a material and learning what to expect when trying to make guitar knobs? My only interest is in building electric guitars and that is what most of us are here for. I ask you civilly to stay on topic if you have something to contribute and if not, mimf has email and you can say what you will in private.

[Jedi Clampett]

BTW some very good advice in your post John and I give you credit for that, no I have not tried it yet and not sure it is a suitable material for guitar knobs. The wonderful thing about this forum is that there may be people who have done it and are knowledgeable. Ultimately if I think it will work I will try it and learn. kind of like when Thomas Edison was asked about the 10,000 failed experiments before inventing the light bulb, he told the reporter, they are not 10,000 failures, they are 10,000 things I know don't work.
I figure with the body of knowledge here someone has tried this.

[John Sonksen]

to answer you directly then, no I have not made a guitar knob out of fimo or sculpey clay. I provided salient information to your endeavor and was reprimanded by you like the other people who've contributed to the conversation. Adios, and good luck. Maybe in the future when people step up to offer helpful advice you shouldn't try and make them feel wrong for doing so, because they'll probably just want to stop helping you...

[Peter Wilcox]

For the record not interested in a pissing contest, but am interested in making guitar knobs out of polymer clay and hope we stay focused on this subject since I bet it is interesting to others besides me.

We can have a valuable discussion here and I hope that anyone that can contribute will not be distracted from the posted topic.

John
I ask you civilly to stay on topic if you have something to contribute

Jedi, it seems you are not familiar with the courses that internet threads can take. I suggest you be patient and refrain from aggressive control of the topic - as you can see it turns people off.

I have carved half-assed heads from wood for head stocks and figures, but not as small as knobs, using a Dremel tool and bits. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/t ... -bits.html

I think there is no easy way. Whether you carve from wood or some other material, you'll need to practice, practice, practice.

[Jedi Clampett]

very nice

[Art Davila]

I don't have those skills but I have been comic book conventions where people make elaborate costumes and have a side business in make costomes for other people. they have the artisick ability to make one off items out of a variety of matierials. you might try looking at cosplay forums for help there as well as here. I have seen remarkably acurate reproductions of rings and weapons ect. and have used resins and pewter and other materials.

[Steve Koons]

I used some sculpey many years ago.... It's very soft, I think fimo fires up a quite a bit harder (sculpey can be flexible if it's thin). The colors can darken considerably when fired, especially if you fire too hot or too long. It doesn't carve particularly well once fired, and can crack or break under pressure. I'd think you'd have to use a metal insert with a set screw to make a knob, and would likely have to rough up the outside surface of the metal so the clay would adhere firmly. Haven't seen it in a while, but I made a two inch easter island statue (head).... it came out ok, but those don't have much detail at all. Oh... I think the surface is prone to pick up dirt and oils from the skin if handled a lot.... a coat of wax or acrylic varnish helps prevent that.