Maggie Jones on tue 13 nov 07
What is the word on Fireclay sources these days?
A while back there was a problem with Hawthorn contamination and I never
did hear what was used instead.
Where can I find info about Fire Clays and their sources, location of
mines and how the clays differ?
tia,
Maggie
uh-oh....do I need to search the archives?
http://TurtleIslandPottery.com
Maggie and Freeman Jones
Gary Navarre on wed 14 nov 07
On Tue, 13 Nov 2007 17:24:17 -0500, Maggie Jones wrote:
>What is the word on Fireclay sources these days?
>A while back there was a problem with Hawthorn contamination and I never
>did hear what was used instead.
>Where can I find info about Fire Clays and their sources, location of
>mines and how the clays differ?
>
>
>tia,
>Maggie
>
>uh-oh....do I need to search the archives?
>
>http://TurtleIslandPottery.com
>Maggie and Freeman Jones
That's easy Maggie, type "fireclay" in Google and hit "enter"... there's
about 270,000 references. It depends on what you want to use it for... brick
work, sculpture, throwing? Guess I should study them results cause I haven't
handled as many different varieties as some on the list and will be ready to
need a throwing body soon. Good searching aeh!
G in da U.P.
Tom at Hutchtel.net on wed 14 nov 07
Hey Maggie,
To narrow the fireclay question down a bit, I'd suggest getting Mimi
Obstler's "Out of the Earth, Into the Fire". You should have the book
anyway, but you'll find some discussion on various clays, including
fireclays. Also, the Hamer and Hamer dictionary is of value and should be
on your shelf. They won't be as specific, but lots of information.
Depending on where you are, there will be various clays available, but
shipping isn't that bad if you find something you like.
I'd suggest some general reading about clays, first, then dig more
specifically into what are called fireclays, fine particle, high PCE
(pyrometric Cone Equivalent) maturation points. Don't as you go, confuse
particle size with grain size. Fireclays, in my experience, seem to have
large grain, but wet down over time to very fine particle size.
And yes, search the archives, lots of stuff in there. Also "studio Potter"
magazine.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Navarre"
Subject: Re: Fire Clays
>
>>What is the word on Fireclay sources these days?
>>Where can I find info about Fire Clays and their sources, location of
>>mines and how the clays differ?
Tom at Hutchtel.net on sat 17 nov 07
Hi Maggie,
Another good exercise is to get a few pounds of each dry clay, wet it up,
let it sit a few days, wedge it and then throw with it. You'll probably
find significant differences between them, and used in a body, they'll bring
some of those characteristics to the party. Not all of the characteristics
because you'll be mixing materials with a wide variety of particle sizes.
You'll also be learning about clays.
Set up a series of "tests"....
how does it center,
how does it flow in coning up,
open a bowl and pull up the side,
press down on the rim how does it hold up,
collar in,
flare a rim out (can you get to horizontal?),
can you pull that rim back in....
cut off the rim and pull the rim as thin as it will go.
Make up test bars and fire them for shrinkage and absorption. You can make
3/16" rods and lay them across a u shaped frame to test for slumping.
By now you'll have a pretty good feel for how this clay works. Very
important, keep notes. Have fun
Tom Wirt
Hutchinson, MN
twirt@hutchtel.net
www.claycoyote.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Eleanora Eden"
Subject: Re: Fire Clays
> Hi Maggie and all,
>
> I recently was on a similar quest and I started with my suppliers to see
> what
> they carried. Then I looked at as many recipes for clays as I could find
> to see
> what they had utilized.
>
> Eleanora
>
>
>>What is the word on Fireclay sources these days?
>>A while back there was a problem with Hawthorn contamination and I never
>>did hear what was used instead.
>>Where can I find info about Fire Clays and their sources, location of
>>mines and how the clays differ?
>>
Eleanora Eden on sat 17 nov 07
Hi Maggie and all,
I recently was on a similar quest and I started with my suppliers to see what
they carried. Then I looked at as many recipes for clays as I could find to see
what they had utilized.
Eleanora
>What is the word on Fireclay sources these days?
>A while back there was a problem with Hawthorn contamination and I never
>did hear what was used instead.
>Where can I find info about Fire Clays and their sources, location of
>mines and how the clays differ?
>
--
Bellows Falls Vermont
www.eleanoraeden.com
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