amy parker on wed 8 jul 98
My kids are off to camp for two weeks :))))) and I am working madly on
some desperately needed things for my studio space. I have constructed a
work table from scrap 2x4's that is overly sturdy & the perfect size for me,
so that I can stand on the ground & wedge instead of standing on a stool!!!
Horribly ugly harvest gold lumber from our prior screen porch, but "free".
I have yet to put the top surface on this table. I had originally thought
about a plaster surface, perhaps covered with canvas, but there were some
threads a while back about wedging/drying clay on plywood.
I would appreciate some suggestions about pros & cons of plaster, what kind
of plaster, to cover it or not, how to dry or cure it properly, or what kind
of plywood. I will be using this to roll out slabs, dry clay, and wedge. The
table top is about 24 x 48 inches, so I don't really have room for mixed media.
Amy in Hotlanta, over 90 in the shade every day, wishing I was at Camp!
amy parker Lithonia, GA
amyp@sd-software.com
Christopher G. Holmes on thu 9 jul 98
amy parker typed with his/her nose:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I have yet to put the top surface on this table. I had originally thought
> about a plaster surface, perhaps covered with canvas, but there were some
> threads a while back about wedging/drying clay on plywood.
>
> I would appreciate some suggestions about pros & cons of plaster, what kind
> of plaster, to cover it or not, how to dry or cure it properly, or what kind
If you use plaster, it's helpful to cover with canvas. This will help
keep the plaster intact and out of your clay. I've also worked with
canvas covered wood tables to work on (ie handbuild). In that case, the
canvas keeps the clay from sticking to the wood table. Clay can be
wedged, but the table won't absorb much water.
Chris
Bill Aycock on thu 9 jul 98
Amy- some comments--
First- 2x4's are good- it is hard to be TOO sturdy when making a table for
wedging and rolling. A suggestion- put some shelves at the bottom of the
legs and store something heavy on them- like clay boxes- glaze buckets-etc-
it will help stabilize the set-up, but can be removed to let you move the
table.
Second- use a sheet of 3/4 ply wood, covered with a good canvas. Most
builders supply stores of the "do-it-yourself" type have sheets that size.
do not pay extra for the grade called "A-C"- get "C-D-X" which is a
construction grade, with water proof glue (the X, means exterior grade)
One side (the "C" side) will be smoother than the other- put that side up.
Stretch the canvas and staple it on the edges- it can be replaced quite
easily, if if wears or is cut.
Bill- on Persimmon Hill, wishing he was in a position to be wearing his
table out.
At 07:55 AM 7/8/98 EDT, you wrote: *** in part ***
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I have constructed a
>work table from scrap 2x4's that is overly sturdy & the perfect size for me,
>I have yet to put the top surface on this table. I had originally thought
>about a plaster surface, perhaps covered with canvas, but there were some
>threads a while back about wedging/drying clay on plywood.
>Amy in Hotlanta,
>
Bill Aycock --- Persimmon Hill
Woodville, Alabama, US 35776
(in the N.E. corner of the State)
W4BSG -- Grid EM64vr
baycock@HiWAAY.net
Phyllis E. Tilton on fri 10 jul 98
Hi! I'll add my 2 cents. We used stepping stones instead of plaster, covered
it with canvas and it works fine. The table was built to the measure of the
stone. I know of another wedging table that has poured cement with canvas
over. Sturdy legs are also a necessity. Good luck!
Phyllis Tilton
Nanci Bishof on fri 10 jul 98
Hi,
The only improvement I made to my tables was to build them with locking
wheels. Gave me a great deal more flexibility in the setup & functioning of my
studio.
Don Jones on sat 11 jul 98
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Hi! I'll add my 2 cents. We used stepping stones instead of plaster, covered
>it with canvas and it works fine. The table was built to the measure of the
>stone. I know of another wedging table that has poured cement with canvas
>over. Sturdy legs are also a necessity. Good luck!
>
>Phyllis Tilton
I'm going to add another 4 cents and make it 6. I used to think that
canvas covered plywood was the best way to go but now I think that a
smoother surface such as marlite or formica or hard wood is better. The
canvas covered tables tend to get dusty and dirty and are hard to clean.
You must use water and then they remain wet for a while. When the table is
smooth and you don't want clay to stick to it, all you have to do is use
another surface such as a piece of canvas or a plaster bat or piece of wood
which can be cleaned of unwanted RIO or other stains in working with the
clay.
I think that you should strongly think about using another surface than
canvas covered plywood.
Don Jones
claysky@highfiber.com
:-) implied in all messages and replies
http://highfiber.com/~claysky
Les Crimp on sun 12 jul 98
I'll up the ante and make it two-bits worth.
I built a great solid work table with a solid maple top on it and covered it
with canvas. Don is right, it gets very dusty and must be kept damp in order
to prevent the dust flying around.
I have now replaced the canvas with the canvas with a slate from a pool
table. It fits my work table perfectly in length with a nice one inch
overhand on the front. A dream to knead and wedge clay on and real easy to
wash up and keep clean. The best part of it is I got the slate at no
charge. Contact your local pool table retailer. They very often have ones
that have a slight chip and can not be used.
Les Crimp in Nanoose Bay, B.C. where it is raining for the first time in
many moons.
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>>Hi! I'll add my 2 cents. We used stepping stones instead of plaster, covered
>>it with canvas and it works fine. The table was built to the measure of the
>>stone. I know of another wedging table that has poured cement with canvas
>>over. Sturdy legs are also a necessity. Good luck!
>>
>>Phyllis Tilton
>
>I'm going to add another 4 cents and make it 6. I used to think that
>canvas covered plywood was the best way to go but now I think that a
>smoother surface such as marlite or formica or hard wood is better. The
>canvas covered tables tend to get dusty and dirty and are hard to clean.
>You must use water and then they remain wet for a while. When the table is
>smooth and you don't want clay to stick to it, all you have to do is use
>another surface such as a piece of canvas or a plaster bat or piece of wood
>which can be cleaned of unwanted RIO or other stains in working with the
>clay.
>I think that you should strongly think about using another surface than
>canvas covered plywood.
>
>
>Don Jones
>claysky@highfiber.com
> :-) implied in all messages and replies
>http://highfiber.com/~claysky
>
>
Vicki Katz on sun 12 jul 98
I have used plaster & canvas. I actually thing plaster is better BUT you are
right, you do not have much room on that multipurpose table. May I suggest
that you cover the table in canvas & pour a plaster slab you can put on the
table when you want to dry out the clay a bit before wedging. Then you can
remove the slab when you want to roll something out.
Enjoy,
Vicki Katz
Joy Holdread on mon 13 jul 98
In a message dated 98-07-09 11:50:07 EDT, you write:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I have constructed a work table from scrap 2x4's that is overly sturdy & the
perfect >size for me, I have yet to put the top surface on this table. I had
originally thought
>about a plaster surface, perhaps covered with canvas, but there were some
>threads a while back about wedging/drying clay on plywood.
>Amy in Hotlanta,
Regardless of what you decide Consider having an extra canvas covered board
the same size as the wedge table top. Use one surface for white clays & the
other for dark. Saves you clean up, set up time if you use more than one clay
& gives you a portable wedging surface if you're asked to do a demo anywhere.
A bag or two of clay on the edges of a portable canvas covered board create
stability.
Joy in Tucson I love CLAYART.
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