PMC (Precious Metal Clay)

galadduin

galadduin

Joined
Dec 25, 2004
Messages
1,363
Hi all,

One of my friend is a kind of a jeweler, she is running a business with Mitsubishi. She mentioned a method of forming metals in clay form. I was suprised and first i didnt believe. Bu she sent these links. I loved the method, just amazing... (material pretty expensive though :grumpy: and it shrinks bad)

http://www.mmc.co.jp/pmc/english/pmc/index.html

Here is a video:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4869419483192738465&q=argentice+%28site%3Avideo.google.com+OR+site%3Ayoutube.com%29&hl=en
 
This stuff has been around for some time now. Never been cheap but you just charge accordingly.
 
It's "fine silver",... pretty soft especially without any work hardening, but if used right, (with some support and protection), for textures and embellishments,... it might be great! I've been wanting to try some for a while now.
 
I guess I'll give it a try. As it is soft it should be easy to process after hardened and fit on wood handle carvings etc. I'll post a review this month I think.

Wouldn't be good if i.e. 440C steel had a clay form also :D:p. A blade would be finished in minutes or so...
 
Ive used it and like it although it shrinks a little.Rio Grande just released it in bronze and is very affordable but the 17-20% shrinkage limits the possibilties.Once I got a vacuum bell set-up for for doing lost wax it really really improved the final finish,aka no holes and all the nooks and crannies fill in,plus no shrinkage.
 
We have had several threads on this material. Ever wonder why you have never heard of anyone using it for more than art jewelery and beads? Most of the people I know that tried it never used it again. Might work for making menuki or something like that, but its limitations are too great for anything that will see use or wear.
Stacy
 
When I was doing art shows and craft shows it seemed that everybody and their brother who couldn't work metal was making beads out of this stuff and calling themselves a jeweler. Art Jewelry magazine has entire sections on how to use the stuff
There are some people who swear by the stuff, I wouldn't put my name on anything made of it, your mileage my vary.

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You can work harden it by tumbling with steel shot, which will help a little,... but you still need to give some thought as to how you use it and what you use it for. I'd just say that it's more decorative than structural or utilitarian. I wouldn't discourage anyone from trying it, but just use it for what it is.
 
Is this stuff really that much weaker than a silver (or whatever) fitting fabricated from barstock? Is it really brittle and crumbly since it's basically sintered? I would expect some loss of integrity but didn't realize the difference would be so noticeable...

On the other hand, I have a somewhat difficult time thinking it would be that much less durable than say, wood, or a host of other handle materials that are commonly used on knives.
 
I have absolutely no use for the stuff right now, or I would. Guess I was just curious. But you're right; once in a while I should actually contribute something rather than leeching knowledge off everyone else here. :D
 
If you decide to try it, you might consider the "Art Clay" brand silver which shrinks less, only 8-10 percent.
 
A leech drains the blood and weakens the host.
An inquiring poster here may be getting knowledge somewhat parasitically, but he leaves the forum a stronger and more informed place after the interchange ( forty years ago I would have used the word intercourse). Thus he is more symbiotic than parasitic.
Stacy
 
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