Martin Rice on tue 2 jul 02
Tommy wrote:
Not in my experience...The best consistancy IMHO is a super soft clay, this
allows extra time for the handle to remain moist, while the rim of the pots
are drying...If the handle clay is the same consistancy as the pot, the
handle will dry much faster than the pot (especially the mid section, away
from the ends) unless you cover and dry the pots extremely slow.
I've finally reached the point where I can throw something that looks like a
mug!! Horray and thanks to all the Clayarters who sent me tips on getting
to this point. Now I want to attach handles. I've been practicing pulling
and shaping handles for a while these last couple of days and think I can do
it. Then today, I threw a mug and wanted to do a handle and attach it and I
realized that I had no idea of how wet/dry the mug body should be when I
attach the handle. I'd appreciate a tip about this.
Thanks so much,
Martin
Lagunas de Barú, Costa Rica
www.rice-family.org
Where the cutest pesote was in the middle of the road today and stared at me
for five minutes before slowly making his/her way into the jungle.
Tommy Humphries on tue 2 jul 02
When I am applying handles I let the pot stiffen to the point where the rim
is just stiff...barely able to make a mark by pinching it between the
fingers. If the rim wiggles when you try to move it, wait a bit for it to
dry. This allows you to do darn near anything you want to the pot without
distorting it.
When making up clay for my handles, I usually go just by feel, but if I had
to proportion it, I would say 10% wheel scraps+slip works well. I just wedge
it in till it is smooth. If your handles will not stand by themselves after
pulling and attaching at both the top and bottom, then you have made your
clay too soft :^) You can support soft handles by cutting a strip of poly
1" wide and 6" long, let it adhere to the outer surface of the handle, then
let it extendover the rim and down into the pot a bit where it should stick.
I have saved many handles this way.
Another great handling tip, especially if you pull directly on the pot while
it is sitting on the board is to dampen the board a bit to get the pot to
stick tight to the board...you can pull to your hearts content with out the
pot moving a bit.
I never score the joint...just a bit of slip then wiggle the handle into
place till it grabs...won't ever turn loose on you!
Tommy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Martin Rice"
I've been practicing pulling
> and shaping handles for a while these last couple of days and think I can
do
> it. Then today, I threw a mug and wanted to do a handle and attach it and
I
> realized that I had no idea of how wet/dry the mug body should be when I
> attach the handle. I'd appreciate a tip about this.
>
> Thanks so much,
> Martin
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