Tip on removing original sculpts from Elasticlay molds

Hi all,

I discovered an easy method to remove original polymer sculpts from Elasticlay
molds while lessening the distortion that often comes from having to pry the
original out by the edges. (This applies mainly to one-sided objects with a
flat back).

Before baking the original, use a 1"-2" long screw to carefully make 2-3 holes
in the backside. I prefer placing the holes near a deeper or more angled or
complicated part of the piece. Create the holes by turning the screw; do not
push down or use force in any way (although you might wish to make them a hair
wider to accomodate any shrinking that happens during the baking process). The
idea is that you will be able to screw the screw back into the hole after the
piece has been baked.

After the Elasticlay has been placed around the finished original and chilled,
twist the same screw into a hole and use it to carefully pull the original from
the mold. This way you are pulling the original from its center instead of
trying to pry it out from the edges. Molds should then be placed open-side
down on a piece of clear Pyrex glass for baking; this way you can see from the
underneath if any distortion has taken place, and correct it accordingly.

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