Anne K. Wellings on sat 5 jan 02
A lot of people seem to prefer softer clay for throwing. I have been
struggling with some harder clay for months and have finally gotten ahold
of some that is softer and easier to work with.
However, in making dinner plates, I am finding this soft clay to be a
problem. (And I didn't think it was really all that soft.) It is very
difficult to control the thickness of the floor of the plate. Any sort of
compression of the bottom seems to push the clay outwards and makes the
middle too thin. Starting with it thicker makes it too thick and results
in clay sloughing off when trying to redistribute it. These are not a
rustic-style plate, they are precision-thrown with flat rims, making full
use of the amount of clay. They will have a trimmed foot and cannot be
too thin in the middle or will tend to hump.
My only solution is to let the portion of clay for each plate sit out and
become firmer before throwing. Anyone else have any suggestions? Is there
a technique for establishing the thickness and getting it to stay that
way? Am I compressing too much or with the wrong tool (a rubber rib)?
Anne
The Balentines on sun 6 jan 02
> A lot of people seem to prefer softer clay for throwing. I have been
> However, in making dinner plates, I am finding this soft clay to be a
> problem. (And I didn't think it was really all that soft.) It is very
> difficult to control the thickness of the floor of the plate. >
> My only solution is to let the portion of clay for each plate sit out and
> become firmer before throwing. Anyone else have any suggestions? Is there
> a technique for establishing the thickness and getting it to stay that
> way? Am I compressing too much or with the wrong tool (a rubber rib)?
>
> Anne
>
Hi Anne, I make plates all the time with soft clay ,which I prefer. I
find a wooden rib works the best for compressing the clay. Have never used
a rubber one. Hope this helps. Susan--where we have beautiful snow this
morn in NC
Martin Howard on sun 6 jan 02
Anne.
For plates I use a length of hard plastic piping or plastic coated metal
piping.
Fold fingers around it on both sides and depending on the thickness of your
fingers, that will be thickness of the clay for the bottom of the plate.
Press down in stages, so that you don't fond air in at the edges. Adjust
your finger positions to keep the clay in the correct lateral position.
Take it out to just past your final width and throw up the sides/rim etc.
Bottom of plate should now be consolidated and the same thickness.
Wire through with a wavy type of wire that leaves ridges underneath.
That way the bottom will dry equally and just part from the bat when it is
ready for turning those footrings.
Martin Howard
Webbs Cottage Pottery
Woolpits Road, Great Saling
BRAINTREE, Essex CM7 5DZ
01371 850 423
martin@webbscottage.co.uk
http://www.webbscottage.co.uk
Updated 26/12/01
Tony Ferguson on sun 6 jan 02
Anne,
Make sure you use enough clay--after you use too much you can back it down.
Use your rib to compress and flatten the bottom. With your wall. Throw a 2
inch or so vertical wall thicker than you think you need (you can always
thin it down or cut off--once you figure out your right clay amount you
won't have to). With your rib, split the perpendicular angle of the floor
of your pot that meets the wall and compress--as you compress lay your wall
down to create the lip of your plate. Good luck.
Thank you.
Tony Ferguson
315 N. Lake Ave. Apt. 401
Duluth, MN 55806
USA
218.727.6339
Stoneware, Porcelain, Raku
http://www.AquariusArtGallery.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Anne K. Wellings"
To:
Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2002 7:06 PM
Subject: soft clay for plates
> A lot of people seem to prefer softer clay for throwing. I have been
> struggling with some harder clay for months and have finally gotten ahold
> of some that is softer and easier to work with.
>
> However, in making dinner plates, I am finding this soft clay to be a
> problem. (And I didn't think it was really all that soft.) It is very
> difficult to control the thickness of the floor of the plate. Any sort of
> compression of the bottom seems to push the clay outwards and makes the
> middle too thin. Starting with it thicker makes it too thick and results
> in clay sloughing off when trying to redistribute it. These are not a
> rustic-style plate, they are precision-thrown with flat rims, making full
> use of the amount of clay. They will have a trimmed foot and cannot be
> too thin in the middle or will tend to hump.
>
> My only solution is to let the portion of clay for each plate sit out and
> become firmer before throwing. Anyone else have any suggestions? Is there
> a technique for establishing the thickness and getting it to stay that
> way? Am I compressing too much or with the wrong tool (a rubber rib)?
>
> Anne
>
>
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David Hendley on sun 6 jan 02
I use softer-than-usual clay for plates. It's less work,
as long as it's still stiff enough so the rim doesn't sag down.
It sounds like you are just using too much pressure, since you
are used to stiffer clay.
I establish the thickness with a needle tool through the bottom
when the ball is first opened, try to maintain it when spreading
the bottom, and then adjust as needed. I use a wooden or
aluminum road sign rib to get the bottom completely smooth
and even, and then go back over it with my hand so it doesn't
look too perfect and machined.
David Hendley
Maydelle, Texas
hendley@tyler.net
http://www.farmpots.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Anne K. Wellings"
To:
Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2002 7:06 PM
Subject: soft clay for plates
> A lot of people seem to prefer softer clay for throwing. I have been
> struggling with some harder clay for months and have finally gotten ahold
> of some that is softer and easier to work with.
>
> However, in making dinner plates, I am finding this soft clay to be a
> problem. (And I didn't think it was really all that soft.) It is very
> difficult to control the thickness of the floor of the plate. Any sort of
> compression of the bottom seems to push the clay outwards and makes the
> middle too thin. Starting with it thicker makes it too thick and results
> in clay sloughing off when trying to redistribute it. These are not a
> rustic-style plate, they are precision-thrown with flat rims, making full
> use of the amount of clay. They will have a trimmed foot and cannot be
> too thin in the middle or will tend to hump.
>
> My only solution is to let the portion of clay for each plate sit out and
> become firmer before throwing. Anyone else have any suggestions? Is there
> a technique for establishing the thickness and getting it to stay that
> way? Am I compressing too much or with the wrong tool (a rubber rib)?
>
> Anne
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
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