Making my own case

[Sgood1971]

Hi all,

I have a battery that I want to build a case around. I am looking for ideas on clay like substances that can be molded, and shaped to my desire. Once solidified they can be sanded, painted, tapped, drilled, etc.

If you have any links to how-to's for for crafting things of this nature that would be great. Like do I need to build a frame out of some other material first and so on.

Basically any ideas you have would be awesome.

 

[MastiffMike]

Epoxy putty! There's different types (each with it's own "work time" and hardness/properties). It can be drilled and sanded once set up/cured.

It's easy to work with (like playdough, just slightly sticky so keep a bowl of water on hand and wet your fingertips if needed).

For shaping, you could just make a big blob and then drill/sand it as needed but this way will take longer to dry and will waste more. I'd suggest starting with something that's approxiamately the size/shape you want hollow inside and then coat it with putty. Depending upon the shape you want you might just use a hunk of tin foil, or wax paper wrapped old batteries, or pieces of appropriately sized pipe, or....???

Here's some example "how-to's": Hirst Arts Sculpting Page Keep in mind that some of the examples are using a "bake to set" type putty.

And here's some info on different types:
The Compleat Sculptor - Quik Epoxy Page
(click "more info" under each type to see work time and strength info)

And another link for info:
EpoxyGator.com - Epoxy Putty Repair Sticks

 

[Sgood1971]

OH WOW !!!!

Thank you, that's exactly what I was looking for but didn't know how to ask.

 

[Connman]

Cool glad you asked and thanks MastiffMike for that info there.

And to think playing with all that play-do was really just training at a young age.

 

[Lisbeth]

Also polymer clay, aka 'Sculpey' and 'Fimo'

Google 'Polymer Clay Altoids' to get a raft of ideas. It's a bake clay with a smooth, sandable finish that can be drilled as well.

 

[Sgood1971]

I went with Mighty Putty for the first one as it was what I had on hand, but that looks awesome, thanks Lisbeth.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/modders-forum/86978-my-first-real-mod-mighty-putty.html is my first attempt. I'm thinking I'm going to have an airbrush artist hit it up if I ever feel it's sanded enough