Talbott on mon 3 mar 97
After the "ageing of clay" thing we decided to use more water and
more mixing time to wet the particles more thoroughly. Not having a filter
press and a blunger (hope I got it right). I feel that using this extra
mixing time and water is the next best thing. While using our Soldner clay
mixer, studio model, this weekend Celia and I mixed up several batches of
stoneware clay:
Dry ingredients weight= approx 108 lbs
Water weight = approx 32lbs
% water= approx 30%
Approximate wts. since we use bathroom scales to weigh these items...
Mixing time: about 40-45 min per batch (140 lbs wet weight)
*Our Best Wheel Clay Recipe: If you want a good wheel clay this is the one.
(Got it from CM but don't remember the issue.)
Custer Feldspar 4 lb
Hawthorne 44 lb
Goldart 22 lb
Redart 4 lb
OM-4 (ball clay) 22 lb
Grog (extra-fine) 12 lb
Water 32 lb
My question is this: How much water content and mixing time, using a
similar mixer and claybody, do you other folks use with your clay mixing
procedures? The trend seems to be, the longer it mixes, the more water you
can add. If you use a Soldner then you know that you can tell by looking,
listening, and finally feeling the clay, when the clay has achieved the
right consistency and is thoroughly mixed.
This clay did seem to feel quite workable and would bend without
cracking... It felt really "good" as far as working qualities are concerned
at this point. The clay definitely did seem better than prior batches. In
the past we have used less water and less mixing time.
This clay will sit for a while, about 2 weeks, until it goes through the
Venco deairing pugmill and then to the wheel. I would appreciate any
comments on your clay mixing procedures that may help us to improve on this
important process.
On the 1st Annual Clayarters' Gallery I have received some inquiries
as to whether or not we are excepting applications from abroad and the
answer is YES. We have one participant from the Philippines, one from
Hawaii, and one probable from Belgium. (And yes I do realize that Hawaii
is a state.) I have extended the application deadline until March 15 or
until I feel that we can take no more participants. There are a total of
29 participants so far.
Best Wishes... Marshall
1ST ANNUAL CLAYARTERS' GALLERY - NAPLES, MAINE (Summmer 1997)
{contact me directly for more information}
Celia & Marshall Talbott
Pottery By Celia
Route 114
P.O. Box 4116
Naples, Maine 04055-4116
(207)693-6100 voice and fax
clupus@ime.net
Clayarters Live Chat-Room 10:00 pm Eastern Standard Time on Saturday Nites
SHORT CUT if the room has already been created then go to:
http://webchat9.wbs.net/webchat3.so?Room=PRIVATE_Clayarters
or if room has not been created go to WBS at:
http://webchat5.wbs.net/webchat3.so
and set up a "Private Room"... just use the name: Clayarters
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| |
|
