search  current discussion  categories  techniques - misc 

foot-wedging/throwing straight from the bag

updated mon 27 dec 99

 

Earl Brunner on sat 25 dec 99

In these parts if the bags sit around for a while the clay dries out from the
outside inward. We sometimes have Aardvark double bag for us. It just gets too
hot here in the summer.
Also the porcelain I throw is great to throw, but out of the bag is hard as a
rock. Only after wedgeing does it soften up.

Cindy Strnad wrote:

> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Concerning using commercial clay straight from the bag . . .
>
> I don't do this myself, but did attend a workshop in which the demonstrator
> advised using clay straight from the bag. He didn't wedge, but did cone the
> clay several times on the wheel prior to beginning the throwing process.
>
> Personally, I think using cold, hard clay would be as hard on the
> wrists/fingers/elbows as wedging it would be. Maybe worse. Unless you're
> making small pieces only.
>
> I couldn't afford a pug mill, either, guys. The Peter Pugger VP-30 costs
> around $4000. That's a lot of money. Still, have you any idea what joint
> replacement, or carpal tunnel surgery would cost--not only in terms of
> medical expenses, but in pain, lost time, loss of function, and so on?
>
> If you're in clay for a hobby, that's one thing, but if this is your
> business, take a deep breath, apply for a loan or get a new credit card or
> whatever it takes. You need tools for your profession and it's ridiculous to
> skimp on them.
>
> Cindy Strnad
> Earthen Vessels Pottery
> Custer, SD

--
Earl Brunner
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec
mailto:bruec@anv.net

Donald G. Goldsobel on sun 26 dec 99

If the clay you get from your supplier (except porcelain) is too hard to
throw without weding, they are mixing it too dry. I like to age my clay. I
keep it in the box, stack the boxes and keep it out of the sun. The all
around contact with the plastic keeps it moist. If it ages too long it gets
wedged;otherwise it gets coned during the centering process.

I use Laguna and Aardvark and have had few probelm bags. The bigger
problems involve changes in formulation when constituent ingredients change
and they don't tell you in advance.

Donald in the warm and sunny San Fernando Valley where I am packing for a
short trip to Beijing for the New Year.

At 12:06 PM 12/25/1999 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>In these parts if the bags sit around for a while the clay dries out from the
>outside inward. We sometimes have Aardvark double bag for us. It just
gets too
>hot here in the summer.
>Also the porcelain I throw is great to throw, but out of the bag is hard as a
>rock. Only after wedgeing does it soften up.
>
>Cindy Strnad wrote:
>
>> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>> Concerning using commercial clay straight from the bag . . .
>>
>> I don't do this myself, but did attend a workshop in which the demonstrator
>> advised using clay straight from the bag. He didn't wedge, but did cone
the
>> clay several times on the wheel prior to beginning the throwing process.
>>
>> Personally, I think using cold, hard clay would be as hard on the
>> wrists/fingers/elbows as wedging it would be. Maybe worse. Unless you're
>> making small pieces only.
>>
>> I couldn't afford a pug mill, either, guys. The Peter Pugger VP-30 costs
>> around $4000. That's a lot of money. Still, have you any idea what joint
>> replacement, or carpal tunnel surgery would cost--not only in terms of
>> medical expenses, but in pain, lost time, loss of function, and so on?
>>
>> If you're in clay for a hobby, that's one thing, but if this is your
>> business, take a deep breath, apply for a loan or get a new credit card or
>> whatever it takes. You need tools for your profession and it's
ridiculous to
>> skimp on them.
>>
>> Cindy Strnad
>> Earthen Vessels Pottery
>> Custer, SD
>
>--
>Earl Brunner
>http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec
>mailto:bruec@anv.net
>