David Willhite on sat 27 oct 01
Bud,
I'm a potter mainly interested in throwing. I don't know much about glazes
per se, but throwing is what I love. (also unloading glaze fires)
I recently bought a brand new wheel that I believe should last me for the
next 20 years. It's a top-of-the-line "Brent CXC". Others may argue, but I
believe it to be the best professional model for anyone throwing normal to
large pottery. It cost me $1150 - but retail is much higher. I went online
and found one from Florida, shipped all the way to Oregon for $1050
(insured) and decided to let my local supplier try to come within a $100.
They did. I bought it from them because I didn't want the risk involved in
shipping and I wanted to begin a relationship with my clay supplier. The
more money you spend with your clay supplier, the more serious they will
take you. Sad but true.
I fire using a Skutt, computer controlled kiln to ^6. Straight forward and
consistant. I don't want to mess with reduction. Not yet.
As for clay, I've just switched to Laguna ^5 B-mix because I've never seen a
clay that can throw like that! For example, the best Potter at the recent
"Clay Fest 2001" in Eugene, Oregon - out of 50 or so potters - uses B-mix
(probably ^10). He learned from a Dutch Master this incredible throwing
technique and throws vases 16 to 20 inches tall with walls 3/8 inch thick!
He throws with such ease and consistancy that he could probably throw 6 to
10 vases an hour like that - and sells them for $60 to $80 each. Don't
settle for an immitation B-mix from the local clay place. Laguna B-mix is
unparralled. Immitations fall far short. (and you can get it in ^5-6 or
^10)
Although I haven't glaze fired B-mix yet, others that have done so have
shared the following glazes that work on B-mix ^5 fired to ^6 in an
Oxidation atmosphere, in an electric kiln
5 X 20 Hansen’s ^5
20 3134
20 Potash feldspar
20 wolastonite
20 flint
20 kaolin
10% Zircopax for white
Add other colorants to suit. (no zircopax for clear)
------
Will Edward's ^6 Clear
12.5 Whiting
12.5 EPK Kaolin
20.0 Nephyline Syenite
25.0 Frit 3134
30.0 Silica
-------
Ron Roy Black #3
22.0 Custer Feldspar
4.0 Whiting
5.0 Talc
26.0 Frit 3134
17.0 EPK Kaolin
26.0 Silica (flint)
for black, add:
2.0 Bentonite
9.0 Red Iron Oxide
1.0 Cobalt Carbonate (2.0 for blacker variation)
--------
That's what I do.
David Willhite
Coos Bay, Oregon
---------
>From: miriam shelomith
>Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Subject: Re: Clay Bodies for Throwing
>Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2001 14:26:26 -0400
>
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
| |
|
