Dannon Rhudy on mon 16 jul 01
At 05:03 PM 07/16/2001 -0400, you wrote:
>> What's the best material for work counter where I'll be wedging,
>> etc.? How about wall paint.....glossy???
>
Bruce said:
........>Plaster makes an excellent surface, but it can chip ......
Let me add that an easy, good, cheap non-chip surface
is concrete. Frame the
size top you want of 2 x 4, get a bag or two or however
many you need of redi-mix, mix it up, pour it in, smooth it off.
You're set for about a century and a half. Or so.
regards
Dannon Rhudy
Nancy C. Grenard on mon 16 jul 01
I'm putting together some studio space.
What's the best material for work counter where I'll be wedging,
etc.? How about wall paint.....glossy???
Thanks so much.
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Bruce Girrell on mon 16 jul 01
> What's the best material for work counter where I'll be wedging,
> etc.? How about wall paint.....glossy???
No, no, no!
Glossy paint would produce a surface that the clay would stick to like a
magnet. You want a surface that is slightly absorbent.
Plaster makes an excellent surface, but it can chip and, of course, it will
deposit that chip, unseen, into the wall of your best piece so that it can
blow a crater into it when it is fired.
Some people like a canvas covered surface, but you need to keep the canvas
stretched.
I use plain old plywood. It could stand to be a little more absorbent, but
it's easy to use one piece of plywood for porcelain, one piece for
terracotta, etc. Each piece that I use is 3/4" plywood, about 3 feet by 2
feet. Plain old air pressure keeps it on my bench top, though a C-clamp or
two wouldn't hurt. It doesn't move toward the rear of the table (the
direction of my wedging) because the table has an edge that restrains the
plywood.
I would think that slate would be excellent (but I've never used it). If you
have any pool table suppliers anywhere near you, you might be able to find
some broken table tops to use. I'd love to get my hands on some slate for
wedging.
Bruce Girrell
in beautiful northern Michigan. Summers in Michigan are like recreational
drugs. When you're under their influence, everything is beautiful. You
wonder why you would want to be anywhere else. Bright sun, clear blue water,
beautiful trees and flowers, warm, but not hot temps, moderate humidity -
everything looks so bright and beautiful. But it lasts such a very short
time and then you're back...
m markey on wed 18 jul 01
Bruce Girrel wrote:
I would think that slate would be excellent (but I've never used it). If you
have any pool table suppliers anywhere near you, you might be able to find
some broken table tops to use. I'd love to get my hands on some slate for
wedging.
==============================================
Slate is an excellent material for a work surface. I spent one summer in a
ceramic studio which had slate working surfaces. Slate doesn't give, like
wood or masonite (typical surfaces), and it is absorbent for most clay work.
I also visited a studio some time ago, in which the potter used an old
marble countertop, as a clay surface. It was from a mens' room in a now-
demolished hotel. The potter claimed that marble was even better than slate
or wood.
If you use heavy surface materials, be sure that you support the slate or
marble with solid footings--4 x4's or even 6 x 4 legs are necessary to
support such a table top.
I agree with Bruce--stay away from painted surfaces! Latex paint in
particular may produce toxic fumes, if it comes off on a clay object, and is
fired.
Best wishes!
Mohabee NakedClay@hotmail.com
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Janet Kaiser on thu 19 jul 01
The Highways Department of our local council sells
cement paving slabs --the type used for pavements (US =
sidewalks) -- for a couple of pounds each. They are
approximately 2 inches thick and would made a great
work surface if you cannot source slate.
Janet Kaiser
The Chapel of Art . Capel Celfyddyd
HOME OF THE INTERNATIONAL POTTERS' PATH
Criccieth LL52 0EA, GB-Wales Tel: (01766) 523570
E-mail: postbox@the-coa.org.uk
WEBSITE: http://www.the-coa.org.uk
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