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 Can I make buildings out of clay?
I've been making buildings, bridges and houses for my layout using clay. If you have access to a kiln, or art class. Use thin carboard patterns. Clay slabs about 3/8" thick. Thin carboard patterns are placed on and used as a cutting guide. You can layer up cardboard for press-in windows/doors. I've made tools to impress brick patterns, windows, doors.
Make sure to fire it to at least Cone 5(temp) You can use latex, or just leave it the clay color(it comes in various colors). Have held up for years. Might check it out. I just figure out a building from photos or imagination. I use 1/2"=foot. Most walls would be about 5" tall, doors 3 1/2, etc. For brick patterns there are two methods.
1. Carve a piece of wood for your brick size(I have several) and impress it in a piece of clay. Press it in several times in a brick pattern. Then, fire the piece of clay(I make a handle). After it is fired, you use the tool to impress the brick pattern.
2. Impress your pattern in a coil of clay, punch a hole thru the middle. After firing, thread a coat hanger thru for a handle and roll out your pattern.
You can use the press method for makling doors, windows, textures, etc.
Jerry Barnes, Lexington, NE
December 21, 1998
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