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raku oil reduction

updated mon 20 aug 01

 

Steven Branfman on sun 19 aug 01


Friends,

To clarify my stand on using oil for reduction. I do mention its use in my
book, I often demonstrate it at workshops, and I occasionally use it in my
own work. I offer it as an experimental method. The last line in the section
reads "Exercise caution when using oil. It ignites immediately and creats
alot of smoke." As far as safety, I address a multitiude of safety issues in
a separate chapter however, potters must also use some common sense and
degree of self responsibility when trying new procedures and methods.

Steven Branfman
The Potters Shop
31 Thorpe Rd.
Needham MA 02494, USA
781 449 7687
fax: 781 449 9098

Ababi on sun 19 aug 01


Hello Steven.
I know you are reliable, and there a reason for not answering immediately. I
can see that you watch all the letters. The problem with the oil is not the
ignition, but the terrible dangerous gases it relises I add here a few
lines from Monona Rossol letter after asking her advise:
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
My gosh. You need to change your practice. Used oil is full of dioxins,
other highly toxic organic compounds, and lead (used as an auto engine
surface coating) and other metals from engine parts. And when the oil
burns,
thousands more decomposition compounds are created. There is no filter mask
for this. None.

First, switch to a clean, unused oil. Second, set up some kind of fan
system
to blow the smoke away from you when you open the kiln. Otherwise
air-supplied respiratory protection is the only way to get rid

Please don't keep doing this to yourself. You probably will pay a price
with
your health for this technique.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
The words of Monona Rossol.

While you have been away, we have written about. I looked again at your
book, page 143 ( the same as the last time) You are right you warn against
the ignition, but not against the harm.
I believe you make the firing in more open space than I do, but you must
think of the risk. You are reliable person and I trust you. I read it in
your book AFTER I got the "good advise" from my local adviser. He is very
respected here. It was only encourage to make this mistake.
While my heart was beating strongly, and I felt terrible, almost thought to
give up this art!
Still shocked, a month letter
Ababi

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steven Branfman"
To:
Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2001 04:47
Subject: raku oil reduction


> Friends,
>
> To clarify my stand on using oil for reduction. I do mention its use in my
> book, I often demonstrate it at workshops, and I occasionally use it in my
> own work. I offer it as an experimental method. The last line in the
section
> reads "Exercise caution when using oil. It ignites immediately and creats
> alot of smoke." As far as safety, I address a multitiude of safety issues
in
> a separate chapter however, potters must also use some common sense and
> degree of self responsibility when trying new procedures and methods.
>
> Steven Branfman
> The Potters Shop
> 31 Thorpe Rd.
> Needham MA 02494, USA
> 781 449 7687
> fax: 781 449 9098
>
>
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