Dan Semler on sun 27 jan 08
Hi Mark,
I use both recycled porcelain and stoneware and I recycle them both =20
the same way. I have garbage bins into which I put the clays. I keep =20
stoneware and porcelain separate of course, but I mix different =20
porcelains in the same bin. For what its worth its Glacia and Coleman =20
porcelain mainly - I've never used Dave's porcelain. Anyhow I dry out =20
batches of the clay on plaster. Once its bone dry I bust it up and =20
slake it down in excess water. Once its slaked I mix it with a drill =20
and then sieve it. I then put it in canvas lined trays (well 2" x 4" =20
frames with 1/4" hardware mesh) and let it dry to plastic consistency.
Yes its a slow process and labour intensive. I need to optimize it =20
a bit. But that said I have not noticed the recycled clay being any =20
worse than the original. I've been throwing a bunch of narrow necked =20
porcelain bottles with it, plates, closed in acorn shapes, to about 4 =20
lbs, which is about what I use right now.
Now of course, it could be that some clay bodies are better for =20
this than others. That said, one thing I have noticed in clays. =20
Porcelain fines end up sinking to the bottom of my water bucket while =20
throwing. I always toss all that into my recycling if I'm throwing at =20
home. Of course, that's not always so. Perhaps it helps, perhaps not.
anyhow, hth,
Thx
D
Mark Cortright on sun 27 jan 08
I Have had very poor results tring to reclaim Porcelain Trimings (Daves Porcelain -Laguna clay) I'm
wondering if the mixer /pugger funtions of a petter pugger will help. Past attempts included
mixing trimings in a soldner mixer with same dry bagged clay body mixing to right mositure
content added some vinegar-then running it through a pug mill twice. That clay had no legs after
3 years of aging. I donated it back to a school for small work.
Petter/pugs are made nearby and of course they say they will do it all but could not refer me to
anyone with this exact problem. Stoneware works great reclaiming but Porcelain is a different
animal.
Is anyone out there processing Porcelain trimings in large quanitys with any luck-that is ending up
with a throwable body with legs??? Its all going to the local arts center now or the dump when they
are full up.
Mark Cortright
Arcata Ca
www.liscomhillpottery.com
| |
|
