Cynthia Semel on mon 24 jun 96
I am having my first house built and want to make some decorative tile for
the kitchen and bathrooms and maybe even patio tiles. Because it seems
important that the size is consistent with the other manufactured tiles, I'd
like advice on how much shrinkage to allow for. I have ^10 b-mix clay as
well as Sandstone Buff (also ^10). I'll be using a small electric kiln
firing to ^6 as I have been told that is the highest I should go. I could
use other clay if that would be better.
Cynthia
Paula Coleman on mon 24 jun 96
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I am having my first house built and want to make some decorative tile for
>the kitchen and bathrooms and maybe even patio tiles. Because it seems
>important that the size is consistent with the other manufactured tiles, I'd
>like advice on how much shrinkage to allow for. I have ^10 b-mix clay as
>well as Sandstone Buff (also ^10). I'll be using a small electric kiln
>firing to ^6 as I have been told that is the highest I should go. I could
>use other clay if that would be better.
>Cynthia
Here is a simple shrinkage test:
Roll out a small slab of the clay in question - about 2x5 inches
should be sufficient. Using a metric ruler, mark a line in the clay exactly
100mm. You may also want to label it with the cone you plan to fire it to,
as the shrinkage will vary with different firing temperatures. Do not move
the slab once it is marked, as this may stretch your 100mm line and give you
an inaccurate test. Fire the dried slab to the cone you will be using for
your project. After it is fired, measure the line you marked. Subtract the
new measurement from 100mm. The difference is your shrinkage rate. For
instance, if it measures 90mm, 10mm less than what you started with, your
clay shrinks 10%. Your shrinkage test will look something like this:
Sandstone Buff - cone 6
|---------------------|
100mm
Once you know your shrinkage, use this formula to determine the wet
size of your tile: If you want to make a 6 inch tile, and your fired test
measured 90mm, *divide* six inches by 0.90. That will give you a wet size
of 6.67 inches. *Do not* multiply by one plus your shrinkage rate (6 x
1.10). This is a common mistake and it will not give you the correct wet size.
In answer to your question about which clay to use, I would not
recommend using ^10 clay fired to ^6 for a tile project, especially for
outdoor tiles. The finished tiles would be too porous and not very strong.
Standard Ceramic Supply Co. makes at least 2 clays that I know to be
suitable for tile work. They are #153 stoneware, ^4-10, and #104 red clay
with grog, ^06-4. I recommend firing the 153 with a glaze on it because
it's not very pretty without. The 104 looks nice without a glaze.
____________________________________
Paula Coleman
Ceramic Artist
Email: potter@comcat.com
Web: http://www.comcat.com/~potter/
Teri and Bill Seeley on mon 24 jun 96
Cynthia Semel wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I am having my first house built and want to make some decorative tile for
> the kitchen and bathrooms and maybe even patio tiles. Because it seems
> important that the size is consistent with the other manufactured tiles, I'd
> like advice on how much shrinkage to allow for. I have ^10 b-mix clay as
> well as Sandstone Buff (also ^10). I'll be using a small electric kiln
> firing to ^6 as I have been told that is the highest I should go. I could
> use other clay if that would be better.
> Cynthia
If you need an exact match, you'll have to determine the shrinkage
of your clay experimentally. The easiest way is to create a test
tile and put two marks on it exactly 10 centimeters apart. Fire
the tile to final maturation and measure the marks again. The
difference between the first and second meaurements in centimeters
is the percentage of shrinkage of your particular clay body.
Bill
--
Theresa and William Seeley 410 486-3171 (voice)
Villa Nova Pottery 410 484-6273 (fax)
4015 Buckingham Rd. Baltimore, MD 21207
"186,000 miles/second is not just a good idea - its the law!"
David Harmony on tue 25 jun 96
Cynthia Semel wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I am having my first house built and want to make some decorative tile for
> the kitchen and bathrooms and maybe even patio tiles. Because it seems
> important that the size is consistent with the other manufactured tiles, I'd
> like advice on how much shrinkage to allow for. I have ^10 b-mix clay as
> well as Sandstone Buff (also ^10). I'll be using a small electric kiln
> firing to ^6 as I have been told that is the highest I should go. I could
> use other clay if that would be better.
> CynthiaI have tiled a few tables and I expect a 10-11% shrinkage. Do a few tes
tiles first, measure before and after. I personally like the fact that
they are not identical. Along the same note, does anyone know where to
get tile cutters ? I have looked though all the magazines I know and I
can't find any.
Eric Lindgren on tue 25 jun 96
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Cynthia Semel wrote:
>>
>> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>> I am having my first house built and want to make some decorative tile for
>> the kitchen and bathrooms and maybe even patio tiles. Because it seems
>> important that the size is consistent with the other manufactured tiles, I'd
>> like advice on how much shrinkage to allow for. I have ^10 b-mix clay as
>> well as Sandstone Buff (also ^10). I'll be using a small electric kiln
>> firing to ^6 as I have been told that is the highest I should go. I could
>> use other clay if that would be better.
>> Cynthia
>
>If you need an exact match, you'll have to determine the shrinkage
>of your clay experimentally. The easiest way is to create a test
>tile and put two marks on it exactly 10 centimeters apart. Fire
>the tile to final maturation and measure the marks again. The
>difference between the first and second meaurements in centimeters
>is the percentage of shrinkage of your particular clay body.
>
>Bill
>
>--
>Theresa and William Seeley 410 486-3171 (voice)
Depending on your clay and forming method, you may have to account for
different shrinkage "across" and "lengthwise" on your tiles. For example, a
machine-made slab will shrink differently in two directions due to particle
orientation. It's just as bad with extruded tiles. Also keep moisture
consistent.
Eric Lindgren
lindgren@muskoka.com
June Perry on tue 25 jun 96
Check Ceramic Review, the British ceramic publication. Also, you may want to
check the New Zealand and Australian publications.
I don't remember, it's been a few years, but I ordered a tile cutter from one
of these. I think it may have been from England but I'm not sure.
These publications have ads for catalogues that you can send for.
Good luck!
June Perry
EMail: Gurushakti@aol.com
PJLewing@aol.com on tue 25 jun 96
Save yourself doing the math for shrinkage tests entirely, and just make a
ruler out of the clay you're going to use. Make it 12 inches, or 25
centimeters, or any handy length, mark the inches or centimeters on it while
it's wet, fire it to the temperature you'll be firing the tiles to. Then
when you want to make a piece of any size, by that technique (rolled clay
will shrink different amounts than the same clay extruded) just lay a real
ruler next to it, and read off the size. If 6" on the fired ruler lines up
with 7" on the real ruler, make it 7" and it willshrink to 6". No math.
Paul Lewing, Seattle
Cynthia Semel on thu 27 jun 96
Thanks for the advice. I'll try it out.
At 10:35 PM 6/24/96 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>>I am having my first house built and want to make some decorative tile for
>>the kitchen and bathrooms and maybe even patio tiles. Because it seems
>>important that the size is consistent with the other manufactured tiles, I'd
>>like advice on how much shrinkage to allow for. I have ^10 b-mix clay as
>>well as Sandstone Buff (also ^10). I'll be using a small electric kiln
>>firing to ^6 as I have been told that is the highest I should go. I could
>>use other clay if that would be better.
>>Cynthia
>
>
>Here is a simple shrinkage test:
>
> Roll out a small slab of the clay in question - about 2x5 inches
>should be sufficient. Using a metric ruler, mark a line in the clay exactly
>100mm. You may also want to label it with the cone you plan to fire it to,
>as the shrinkage will vary with different firing temperatures. Do not move
>the slab once it is marked, as this may stretch your 100mm line and give you
>an inaccurate test. Fire the dried slab to the cone you will be using for
>your project. After it is fired, measure the line you marked. Subtract the
>new measurement from 100mm. The difference is your shrinkage rate. For
>instance, if it measures 90mm, 10mm less than what you started with, your
>clay shrinks 10%. Your shrinkage test will look something like this:
>
> Sandstone Buff - cone 6
>
> |---------------------|
> 100mm
>
> Once you know your shrinkage, use this formula to determine the wet
>size of your tile: If you want to make a 6 inch tile, and your fired test
>measured 90mm, *divide* six inches by 0.90. That will give you a wet size
>of 6.67 inches. *Do not* multiply by one plus your shrinkage rate (6 x
>1.10). This is a common mistake and it will not give you the correct wet size.
>
> In answer to your question about which clay to use, I would not
>recommend using ^10 clay fired to ^6 for a tile project, especially for
>outdoor tiles. The finished tiles would be too porous and not very strong.
>Standard Ceramic Supply Co. makes at least 2 clays that I know to be
>suitable for tile work. They are #153 stoneware, ^4-10, and #104 red clay
>with grog, ^06-4. I recommend firing the 153 with a glaze on it because
>it's not very pretty without. The 104 looks nice without a glaze.
>____________________________________
>Paula Coleman
>Ceramic Artist
>Email: potter@comcat.com
>Web: http://www.comcat.com/~potter/
>
>
Cynthia
AYAGODA@aol.com on mon 1 jul 96
Dear Cynthia,
Tile cutters are usually available at tile specialty stores. some even let
you borrow them. Maybe even Home Depot has them. Good luck,
Anne Yagoda
Stephani Stephenson on sun 21 apr 02
You know ,mel, I sure hate making tile too!
I always advise people not to waste their time hand making or hand
pressing acres of flat tile
BUY it if you can. Call Laird or Jonathan or someone to RAM press it for
you if you can.
you've better things to spend your time on.
now I am neck deep in this project where I am making 2,500 flat tiles
and all kinds of trim
just to show off my smarty pants rustic finishes and design for a
project.
And yes , I am doing them by hand ,( don't ask)
but I must admit, I am learning O so very much
one thing I am learning is that , though I grimace at the thought of
hand pressing that much tile,
I feel instead like I am baking little loaves or pastries. It is VERY
much like baking.
And though the thought of making 2500 flat tiles bores me to tears
the thought of baking 2500 lovely little loaves of bread doesn't
bother me at all.
Strange how a mind trick makes so much difference.
So I am out in back of the studio , pretending I am about to cater a
large wonderful banquet.
I am every day making da specialty ofa da house for each ofa the people
at the banquet. Mebbe you beyoootiful Clayart people weel come , no???
Tile...I groan. Loaves, rolls, I sing arias. Anyone have a chef's hat I
can borrow?
As for the quarter rounds I am extruding.... delicious specialty
sausages, you weel love them veddy much too.
mamma mia, whatever works,yes?
Stephani
steph@alchemiestudio.com
Marta Matray Gloviczki on mon 22 apr 02
Stephani Stephenson wrote:
>You know ,mel, I sure hate making tile too!
stephani,
making several thousands of them, oh my god!
i just made a handful, but i am frustrated by them...
i didnt know it is so difficult-
some time ago i promised to send one tile to janet for
the potters path, but my tiles dont want to turn out
to be good enough.
btw, janet said that many clayarters promised her tiles
long ago... now i understand-
but, we have to help her with this wonderful project,
so: let`s make them and send them!
(i am talking to myself too)
marta
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