Vu Anh Le on tue 22 jun 99
Dear Friends:
Although the answer to the following query may be in the archive, I have to
ask anyway because I am temporarily unable to access the archive via
Netscape. I would like to buy a slab roller and an extractor (as well as a
mini extractor) but have not the foggiest clue as to the brand I should
purchase. Please let me know your wise counsel, valuable experience, and
personal anecdote regarding the equipment I am looking forward to acquire.
Thank you in advance for your responses.
Sincere,
Vu Le
p.s., Does anyone know how difficult/easy is it to make one's own table to
fit the slab roller?
NakedClay@aol.com on wed 23 jun 99
Hi Vu!
I am a connisseur of slab rolling :). There are two types of slab rollers on
the market: Brent SlabRoller (non-stationary), and the type made by Bailey
and Northstar (stationary).
The Brent SlabRoller moving-roller machine. One gets the bed, leg set, roller
and cables, and masonite shims, when one purchases this device. This slab
roller works by the roller moving along a track, which is guided and kept in
place by steel cables. The roller is moved by turning a large wheel, which in
turn moves the roller over the entire length of the bed. One varies the
thickness of the clay by inserting (or removing) masonite shims on the bed,
then placing the clay to be slab-rolled on top of the shims (I use a towel to
protect the shims). A canvas blanket covers the clay, so the clay lays out
flat, and won't stick to the roller.
Advantages: One can decorate the surface of the clay, without the "shifting"
associated with the stationary slab rollers. The Brents I've used come in
three bed widths. As a person who often rolls coffee grounds and other
organic materials into the clay, the Brent is my slab roller of choice.
Disadvantages: Brent SlabRollers are fairly expensive--just under $1500 for
the narrow bed (18") slab roller. Masonite shims can be difficult to handle,
and to store when the slab roller is in use. The cable assembly is
complicated to maintain--exact tension must be maintained in the cables, to
keep the roller moving along its track.
The stationary-roller machines consist of a friction-pull roller assembly, a
table to clamp or bolt the roller assembly to, and a large canvas blanket, to
place the clay into. The roller assembly "pulls" the blanket containing the
clay in-between two spring and gear-mounted rollers, which press the clay
equally from top and bottom. One adjusts the clay thickness with a turn-knob.
A large wheel or hand-crank is turned, to pull the blanket and clay through
the roller assembly. This is the slab roller of choice for critical-width
tiles and other fine-tuned rolling.
Advantages: Inexpensive (one can acquire a Northstar for under $500). The
slab thickness adjustment is fairly easy to operate. Easy to maintain roller
assembly.
Disadvantages: One must insert clay into a folded blanket, which can be
cumbersome if the clay ball is large. One might want to purchase a seperate
blanket for darker clays, as the blanket will acquire the color of the clay
being slab-rolled.
I hope this is helpful!
Milton NakedClay@AOL.COM
| |
|
