Richard mahaffey on sun 9 feb 97
Dear Vince,
I started saggar firing in 1976 and regularly since 1977. I always
explain the essence of the technique as the same as the traditional
potters.
I humbly would point out we use saggars for exactly the same reason
the Sung dynasty potters, in fact as all potters, that is to control the
atmosphere around the ware. Since all marks in saggar fire come from
contact, atmospheric and physical we need to keep it contained and close
to the ware.
About copper wire I started using it in '77 and I found that 38 to 42
gauge is the best. It can be found in the tuners of old transistor radios
and in surplus stores. Mine came from WW II ( the big one) torpedo
guidence wire used in there somehow. I think saggaring it is a better
use.
About salt I used it in a regular kiln for over 100 firings with my studio
partner firing glazed porcelain in firings between my firings, with no
detectable ill effects. You must of course clean up very carefully after
you firing and I would fire the kiln empty in a strong oxidation to 1800
degrees F as a clean out after I did several firings when my partner was
about to fire.
All the usual disclaimers apply 1. This works for me and may not work as
an explaination for you. 2. Take this stuff on the internet with a grain
of salt. 3. consider the source
Rick Mahaffey, TAcoma Community College, TAcoma, WA 48466, USA
206-566-5260
Vince Pitelka on tue 11 feb 97
At 11:48 AM 2/9/97 -0500, you wrote:
>I started saggar firing in 1976 and regularly since 1977. I always
>explain the essence of the technique as the same as the traditional
>potters.
>I humbly would point out we use saggars for exactly the same reason
>the Sung dynasty potters, in fact as all potters, that is to control the
>atmosphere around the ware. Since all marks in saggar fire come from
>contact, atmospheric and physical we need to keep it contained and close
>to the ware.
Rick -
I don't understand the point of this. We do not at all use saggars for the
same reason as the Sung Dynasty potters, unless we are using them to protect
wares from the atmosphere of flame and ash in the kiln. Of course the
sagger is always used to control the atmosphere around the wares. But most
potters referring to "saggar firing" today are in fact using the saggars for
exactly the oppotsite purpose as the traditional saggar use - i.e., to
expose the wares to a highly reactive atmosphere rather than to protect them
from the kiln atmosphere. - Vince
Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@Dekalb.Net
Phone - home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801
Appalachian Center for Crafts
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
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