Armature Design Calculator

Calculate internal armature dimensions, rod sizes, and base plate specs for clay or wax sculpture.

Sculpture height (in)

Sculpture width (in)

Sculpture depth (in)

Form type

Sculpting medium

Tab to move between fields

Main rod diameter (in)

0.25

Secondary wire (in)0.15

Armature height (in)20.9

Total rod length (ft)6.1

Armature wire (ft)15.2

Base plate width (in)14.4

Base plate depth (in)12

Base plate thickness (in)0.25

Armature weight (lbs)13.3

Est. clay/wax needed (lbs)58.5

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the sculpture's overall dimensions: height, width, and depth in inches.
Select form type (figure, abstract, bust, animal, or relief) and sculpting medium (clay, foam, wax, etc.).
Review recommended main rod diameter (in) and secondary wire diameter for the armature.
Check total rod length (ft) and estimated armature weight for transport planning.
Use a welded steel armature for large works -- epoxy connections are suitable only for small sculptures.

What each input means

Sculpture height (in): Overall height of the finished sculpture in inches.
Sculpture width (in): Maximum width of the finished sculpture in inches.
Sculpture depth (in): Maximum depth (front to back) in inches.
Form type: 0 = human figure, 1 = animal/quadruped, 2 = abstract form.
Sculpting medium: 0 = water-based clay, 1 = oil-based clay (Chavant/Roma), 2 = sculpting wax.

Main rod diameter (in): Recommended diameter for the primary vertical support rod.
Secondary wire (in): Recommended diameter for limb/extension armature wire.
Armature height (in): Internal armature height (~87% of sculpture height).
Total rod length (ft): Estimated total steel rod needed including all supports.
Armature wire (ft): Aluminum armature wire for bulk building.
Base plate width (in): Recommended base plate width for stability.
Base plate depth (in): Recommended base plate depth.
Base plate thickness (in): Recommended steel base plate thickness.
Armature weight (lbs): Total weight of steel armature and base plate.
Est. clay/wax needed (lbs): Estimated weight of sculpting medium needed.

Identify Input Parameters
4 parameters
Sculpture height (in) = 24, Sculpture width (in) = 12, Sculpture depth (in) = 10, Form type = 0 = 5 input(s) provided
Calculate Main rod diameter
Main rod diameter
0.25 = 0.25
Calculate Secondary wire
Secondary wire = mainRodDiameter * 0.6
0.15 = 0.15
Calculate Armature height
Armature height = sculptureHeightIn * 0.87
20.9 = 20.9