A Homemade Scratchboard Tool!!!!

[brushandknife]

I feel bad- I told someone along time ago (on WC) that I used a needle but never thought to tell how I used it- I have mine in a dowel. But I want to try the pencil thing- that one sounds great to me. Also the sandpaper thing. Do you use special steel wool or can I just use the 0000 from the hardware store?
Carol

[Diana Lee]

Terri, I dug this Thread up from several months ago.

Diana

[tanianault]

Originally Posted by brushandknife

<snip> Do you use special steel wool or can I just use the 0000 from the hardware store?
Carol

It's best to buy your steel wool from a craft or art store, usually they have it in the woodwork, sculpting or clay section.

Almost all steel wool bought from the hardware store will have oil on it (to reduce friction and, therefore, the fire hazard when using it for it's original purpose - as a way to abrade another metal surface). This oil will ruin the surface of Claybord.

- Tania

[Rodman]

I have used hardware store steel wool but, i washed it in alcohol VERY WELL before using..

[Pierre St. Marie]

Believe it or not, there actually were tools made for Scraperboard renderings. I have a set at the studio in town and I'll get my son to take a picture for me on monday. They were made in Germany in the 50's and I discovered how they made the specialized tool allowing the artist to do clouds, skies and multilined areas depending on how the tool is held. I'll post pictures with descriptions on moday since verbal descriptions of this particular tool are difficult.

P

[Pierre St. Marie]

So you don't misunderstand, I meant solid steel tools, not like the Blick tools at all.

P

[Celticelf]

I'm having so much fun with the tool threads! Thanks all. The needle in the holder works great, but how do I cut the head off a straight pin?
My contribution isn't a tool, but makes holding the exacto knives much easier. A library patron hand surgeon told me rather than use tape or those soft spongey cushie type holders around my pens to buy the triangular solid pencil holders for an easier grip on arthritic fingers. They really are much better, but sometimes hard to find. When you can buy a bunch for they are cheap and seem to disappear in my house along with scotch tape and remote controls. Terri

[Diana Lee]

Terri, Other disappearing items are pencils and back in the olden days of my younger years I would have added bobby pins to your list of missing items. Try looking in your couch.

Diana

[Pierre St. Marie]

I'll come back later or in the morning at the latest and give you some illustrations of how to form your own very controllable Scraperboard tips. Its easy to do.
Later..............

P