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pinholes and bubbles in glazes

updated sat 30 nov 96

 

gshaffer on fri 22 nov 96

Fellow clayart subscribers,

I like many others have been experiencing pinholing and bubbles
in my copper red and rutile glazes. I tried all the usual cures like
higher bisque, soak, longer bisque. washing pots before glazing, and
nothing worked. On the advice of a knowledgable clay art contributor I
eliminated Thomas ball clay from my clay body and replaced it with
Foundry Hill Cream, walla, no pin holes and no bubbles. Thank goodness.
It is my understanding that a major east coast clay producer uses
Thomas Ball Clay in many of their bodies. If you are experiencing this
problem check with them to see if maybe Thomas Ball Clay is the culprit.
The reason I was using this ball clay was that they said they used it in
many of their bodies for a long time with no problems. Well, I hope this
helps others to solve this nasty problem.

Gary L. Shaffer

Talbott on sun 24 nov 96

Gary-- we make and mix our own cone 10 stoneware and porcelain...
I hope you don't mind if I bombard you with a few questions: (1) Do you
eliminate all ball clays from your clay receipes and replace them with the
Foundary Hill Cream?? (2) How plastic is your clay since you started
substituting the ball clay with the Cream?? (3) What is a source for this
Foundary Hill Cream? (4) Are there any negatives aspects of the clay
quality since you started the substitution?? (5) Do you also replace the
ball with the Cream in your glaze recipes?? Thanks... Marshall

>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Fellow clayart subscribers,
>
> I like many others have been experiencing pinholing and bubbles
>in my copper red and rutile glazes. I tried all the usual cures like
>higher bisque, soak, longer bisque. washing pots before glazing, and
>nothing worked. On the advice of a knowledgable clay art contributor I
>eliminated Thomas ball clay from my clay body and replaced it with
>Foundry Hill Cream, walla, no pin holes and no bubbles. Thank goodness.
> It is my understanding that a major east coast clay producer uses
>Thomas Ball Clay in many of their bodies. If you are experiencing this
>problem check with them to see if maybe Thomas Ball Clay is the culprit.
>The reason I was using this ball clay was that they said they used it in
>many of their bodies for a long time with no problems. Well, I hope this
>helps others to solve this nasty problem.
>
> Gary L. Shaffer

Marshall Talbott
Pottery By Celia
Route 114
P.O. Box 4116
Naples, Maine 04055-4116
(207)693-6100 voice and fax
clupus@ime.net