David W McDonald on mon 23 aug 99
Ron,
Lastly, here is the written response I received from Jon Brooks
at Laguna Clay Company:
LAGUNA CLAY COMPANY Ceramic Research and Supplies
Mineral Ceramic Products *S. Paul Ward Co.* Westwood Ceramics* Pacifica
Potter's Wheels * Miller Ceramics
August 13,1999
David McDonald Limberlost Pottery 721 First Street Prescott, AZ 86301
Dear David:
First, thank you for using Laguna clay for all these years. I am really
impressed by the flyers which you sent illustrating your work; it is
exceptional.
David, I would like nothing more than to make you feel good about
continuing to use our clays. I'm happy to discuss this matter with you
further, but I need for you to review my thoughts as explained below. I
have read and reread your letter, and I understand the extent of your
frustration and disappointment. I have been working with the variables of
raw materials since before the inception of Laguna in the mid 1970s, and
the challenges of dealing with these variables does not get any easier
with time.
Much of what you write in your letter about our previous communications
is accurate, but there is important information that is either omitted,
or incorrect which I need to address. Approximately two years ago we
learned that our source of sand was going out of business and that our
supply would be discontinued within a few weeks. While not common, it is
certainly not unheard of in our industry for raw material sources to
close or for specific veins of materials to be "mined out." When we
learned that the mine providing our sand was going out of business, we
immediately sought an alternative source.
You mention a "pure silica sand" in your letter. Pure silica sand was not
used in Amador or actually any of our west coast clay bodies. Both the
previous sand and the replacement sand are feldspathic. The use of pure
silica sand would have made life simpler for it would have been far
easier to find a replacement. The problem with pure silica sand in Amador
is the creation of a very open body which can result in extensive
shivering and dunting. In our case, we had to find a feldspathic sand
which embodied characteristics as close as possible to the feldspathic
sand being replaced. After testing different sands we located a sand that
mirrored the original material quite closely.
We began using that sand nearly two years ago in full production (the
last of the old sand ran out in September, 1997). Until several weeks
prior to your call in mid June, we had not received one complaint
relating to Amador bloating. Once we did receive a call we began our
research to isolate the problem. Our analyses revealed that our most
recent loads of sand were slightly more feldspathic than previous loads.
But even after this determination, clay that bloated in your kiln tested
fine in ours - no bloating.
David, I do not question for a minute that you have experienced bloating
nor do I doubt your word concerning the extent of that bloating. The
difficulty in solving your problem at our end is that we are unable to
duplicate your product and your studio firing conditions. Even with the
more feldspathic sand, our Cone 10 lab tests produce no bloating, and we
have shipped nearly 200 tons of Amador since the beginning of the year
with a total of not more than four or five calls relating to bloating.
This is 4-5 calls from over 142 customers/users (many of whom are
distributors who resale to a multitude of individuals). David, this set
of circumstances is why you didn't receive a warning call from us; we
literally had no reason to initiate such a call.
I want Amador to work for you. I believe Jon Pacini is still working with
you to solve the bloating. Also, I believe Jon Pacini mentioned to you
that he threw several pots with the clay you returned, and he fired those
pots in a heavy reduction, gas firing to Cone 10. The pots did not bloat.
Again, I am not questioning your situation, but there is something about
your process that is different than any scenario we have been able to
duplicate.
As far as the Soldate is concerned, I have no idea why you would
experience bloating with Soldate. I have shipped 425 tons of Soldate
since January, and I am not aware of any complaints regarding bloating.
Since there is no other feldspar in the formula, it should not be
effected by a minor shift in the feldspathic composition of the sand.
This one totally baffles me.
David, you are a valued customer. I am happy to refund your money for the
Soldate, and I will give you another ton of whatever modified formula
Amador (or other similar Laguna clay) you determine is suitable for your
use. As far as your product loss is concerned, while I regret your
experience, once you encountered the initial bloating problem, I don't
think it was wise to go into production with the new formulas until your
tests proved the clay wouldn't bloat - particularly when you were aware
that our tests were contradictory to yours. Only through your testing
would you be able to determine the suitability of the clay in your
application. David, this is why we repeatedly ask our customers to test
every batch they receive. We reiterate this plea in our catalog, on our
clay boxes, even on our work orders. It is the last bastion of quality
control.
I know this is not what your letter seeks, but I believe, based on the
circumstances surrounding the problem that I have offered a fair
resolution. If you feel I have been inaccurate in my explanation or
recounting of events or you wish to discuss this matter further, you are
welcome to call me at my direct extension, 234. I will be out of the
office Monday, but will be returning on Tuesday, August 17th. I sincerely
hope we can continue to do business together.
Best regards,
Jon Brooks
___________________________________________________________________
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