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help with pinholing and blistering

updated wed 16 sep 98

 

Lee Sipe on fri 11 sep 98

I fire at cone 6 oxidation. With some glazes I am having pinholes and
blisters every time I fire with them. I have had soaking recommended as a
solution. Can someone describe in detail (step by step) to me how to soak. I
would also appreciate any other possible solutions to this problem. My six
cubic foot kiln has five on and off switches for the heating elements with a
Dawson Kiln Sitter. My three cubic foot kiln has two graduated dials where I
can adjust the setting with a Dawson Kiln Sitter.

Thanks,

Lee Sipe
Columbia, SC

Joy Holdread on sat 12 sep 98



> ---------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I fire at cone 6 oxidation. With some glazes I am having pinholes and
> blisters every time I fire with them. I have had soaking recommended as a
> solution. Can someone describe in detail (step by step) to me how to soak.
> I
> would also appreciate any other possible solutions to this problem. My six
> cubic foot kiln has five on and off switches for the heating elements with
a
> Dawson Kiln Sitter. My three cubic foot kiln has two graduated dials where
> I
> can adjust the setting with a Dawson Kiln Sitter.
>
Look at those glazed unfired pieces. Do you see bubbles? Smooth them over
with your finger. Are you bisqing high enough? Get into our archives, months
ago lots of people offered suggestions.

Tammy Rychetnik on sat 12 sep 98

Lee:

I also fire to cone 6 and have had some problems with pinholing. It did
help to soak my kiln for about an hour. The way I do it is after my
kilnsitter snaps off I turn all my switches off except one which I set on
low, then I lift the kilnsetter shutoff switch up and push the power button
back on, I carefully set the shutoff switch back down (do carefully so you
don't shut off the power again) and set my timer to 1 hour. The kiln will
soak for an hour and automatically turn off via the timer. This did seem to
help with the pinholing.

Good luck. Tammy.

>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I fire at cone 6 oxidation. With some glazes I am having pinholes and
>blisters every time I fire with them. I have had soaking recommended as a
>solution. Can someone describe in detail (step by step) to me how to soak. I
>would also appreciate any other possible solutions to this problem. My six
>cubic foot kiln has five on and off switches for the heating elements with a
>Dawson Kiln Sitter. My three cubic foot kiln has two graduated dials where I
>can adjust the setting with a Dawson Kiln Sitter.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Lee Sipe
>Columbia, SC

Cindy on sun 13 sep 98

Good suggestions.

One more thing. Dust on your bisque before glazing will cause pinholes.
Sponge off your ware with a damp cloth-sponge, or blow it off with an air
hose. (The air hose is quicker and easier.)

Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels
Custer, SD
USA http://blackhills-info.com/a/cindys/menu.htm

----------
> From: Joy Holdread
> To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
> Subject: Re: Help with pinholing and blistering
> Date: Saturday, September 12, 1998 7:30 AM
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
>
> > ---------------------------Original message----------------------------
> > I fire at cone 6 oxidation. With some glazes I am having pinholes and
> > blisters every time I fire with them. I have had soaking recommended
as a
> > solution. Can someone describe in detail (step by step) to me how to
soak.
> > I
> > would also appreciate any other possible solutions to this problem.
My six
> > cubic foot kiln has five on and off switches for the heating elements
with
> a
> > Dawson Kiln Sitter. My three cubic foot kiln has two graduated dials
where
> > I
> > can adjust the setting with a Dawson Kiln Sitter.
> >
> Look at those glazed unfired pieces. Do you see bubbles? Smooth them
over
> with your finger. Are you bisqing high enough? Get into our archives,
months
> ago lots of people offered suggestions.
>

Mike Gordon on tue 15 sep 98

Hi,
If I can't glaze a pot right away I get a plastic garbage bag and cover
it. I've got them in my studio two yrs. old. When I do get around to
doing all I do is wash it of with running water, Mike