Hi there
 I originally posted this question under another older discussion but probably it went unnoticed. I much appreciate the forums here and the expertise that others are so willing to share, so thanks to all of you in advance for any help offered.
I am still a total beginner and in the stage where I'm planning and doing some small kits whilst our house still undergoes some refurbishment. So it's going to be a while before I can actually get started on my first layout.

I have  been wondering about trying out some modelling clay. I often see  many  refer to DAS which is a bit more expensive than some others sold in bulk for  educational purposes. Does anyone know if some of the more ordinary educational air dry  modelling clays are just as good as DAS? Would DAS be formulated somehow  differently? Most comments from users of the other educational clays  say that the stuff can be re-softened and remodeled with water after  drying. Is that the case for DAS too?
Appreciate any advice on this - but will definitely check out the Works to see if they have any DAS at present.
Thanks.

I must admit I've been trying to fit in giving this stuff a try as the finished result is probably a lot better then the flat stone papers I have used in the past, as well as being better than some of the embossed plasticard sheeting.
I bought a pack of the one that the Works were selling about three or four years ago and when I checked it yesterday it still seemed flexible. Admittedly it has remained unopened. I might just give it a try over the holidays, the weather seems to be stopping any other activities. I'll let you know how it goes.

Hi John, I will start by saying that I have had very little experience of using modelling clays but I do have some DAS in the shed that I intend to use for infilling the trackwork on my O gauge layout some time in the future after re wireing, I have used it as a filler on a bridge I have built and found it to be fairly easy to use, I don,t think it will soften if rewetted (is that a word?) and it has stayed soft in the packageing because it is well sealed, other mediums I have seen used is fire clay and it looks good see Allan Downes posts on his buildings I have seen other models made with it you do have to heat it to get a proper hard finish, I believe Allan bakes his in the microwave! as for the kind of clays that schools use I imagine they would work but I have never seen any reports of models built using it, I suspect it may take a little more care when it is drying to keep cracking to a minimum but there are a few different fillers out there to do patching up, basically I think it boils down to you pays your money and you takes your choice.


Good luck mate just have fun, Pete.  

I've found the cheaper alternatives perfectly ok. The Cider Yard area on Much Murkle was done with cheap air drying clay sold for craft purposes in stores like Hobbycraft. It has been in place for 3 or 4 years now and withstood being transported to 10 exhibitions without any problems.

Thanks for those comments much appreciated - now I will need to get some and think of a small project to try it out on!
Ray

Not used it myself (yet) but watched a demonstration at an exhibition by a guy from Derbyshire who makes freelance buildings and scenery using DAS. His method was to coat the base material with a little PVA, wet his finger tips with the same then knead a small amount of DAS pressing it firmly onto the base - bit like pressing putty into a window frame. He lets the prepared model dry thoroughly and then scribes it with a blunt scalpel blade - very impressively I might add.

His tip… to save it cracking… was to do it small sections at a time in thin layers…

No idea about alternatives but the PVA assists both kneading and sticking to whatever it is you are covering and, apparently, also helps prevent cracking or crumbling…..