Inanimate Objects » Tools & Materials

Where can I purchase Alumilite?

Some art and hobby stores will carry Alumilite. However, I have been known to order directly from the manufacturer, alumilite.com. (read more...)

What materials do I need to start customizing?

There is no simple answer to that question, and every customizer will answer differently. Some basics include: X-acto knife & mat knife Superglue Acrylic paints Paint brushes Sculpting medium Sandpaper Pprimer Ultimately, one could get by with the above list. However, in the interest of sanity, I highly recommend some (read more...)

How do I make a mold for casting?

I am lousy at making molds! I cannot do this question justice. But the internet is chock full of information about. (read more...)

What is a an X-acto knife and mat knife?

These are both fairly common tools, found in hobby, art, and hardware stores. An X-acto knife is a small, fine blade. (Available in a variety of sizes and shapes.) It’s excellent for sculpting and slicing small parts. A mat knife, sometimes called a utility knife or box cutter, is a (read more...)

What are “various sharp pointy things?”

When sculpting, you’ll find the best tools are whatever you have at hand. The truth is, you never know what you might need. I keep a selection of old dental picks, pens, letter openers, tooth picks, etc. on hand whenever I’m sculpting. (I recently discovered computer supply stores sell packs (read more...)

What is a Dremel?

A Dremel is a marvelous, multi-use tool available in most home improvement stores. It’s a small rotational motor. Dremels are designed to be used with numerous bits serving different purposes. It can act as a drill, a sander, a grinder, a small saw, a polisher, etc. It’s great for eating (read more...)

Where can I purchase raw vinyl?

Clear raw vinyl can usually be found at better fabric stores. It’s usually pretty darned cheap, too, especially if you buy the scraps. It’s available in varying thicknesses, so get a wide selection. (read more...)

What is a Dremel box?

A Dremel box is an ingenious apparatus that allows you to drill and sand without making a huge mess in the room you’re in. Depending on the material being altered, drilling and sanding can produce a lot of debris and dust. A Dremel box keeps most of that contained. I (read more...)

Why would I need access to a computer?

Why, for all the great Inanimate Objects downloads, of course! You can print emblems and costume details, as well as some Inanimate Objects playsets. I’ve also used Photoshop to test ideas by making “virtual” customs. I’ll lay a figure on a scanner and scan an image of the (limb/head/chest/etc.) that (read more...)

How can I sand figures to a smooth finish?

Every substance has its own qualities, be it ABS or PVC plastics, Magic Sculpt or Alumilite, styrene or wood. If I need to remove a large mass of something that can’t simply be cut off with a mat knife or saw, I’ll reduce that mass with the large, coarse sanding (read more...)