search  current discussion  categories  kilns & firing - raku 

wet firing raku tricks

updated tue 13 aug 02

 

Chris and Nissa on mon 12 aug 02


Keiko Suga and Noel Mapstead wrote a little in the archives about adding
spodumene and Borax to claybody to strengthen it in quick fire Raku wet. I
am attempting an afternoon fun day with First Year college student group. I
lost my instructions for adding vermeculite to the clay body for fast single
firing works. Anyone have a recipe for such a thing? Or have any idea as to
what kind of percentages of Spodumene/Borax might be added to claybody?

Thanks,

ChrisKoivisto
Duluth, MN

Tony Ferguson on mon 12 aug 02


From the Craft & Art of Clay, Peterson

William Hunt's Thermal-Shock-Proof Perlite Bodies


50% perlite in body can be fired raw without cracking. Put the the
pre-warmed, dry, unglazed ware into a red hot kiln at 1500 F for quick
bisque firing. As soon as the pot looks red hot, remove it, cool, then
glaze decoreate and raku fire again to melt the glaze. Perlite bodies will
survive if fired unevely or with a torch. Here is his recipe:

Perlite 1 part by volume (13% by weight)
Any stoneware body (dry) 1 part by volume (87% by weight)

The following makes a course throwing body for large work, and can be fired
up to cone 9
Perlite 1 part by volume (7% by weight)
Any stoneware body (dry) 2 parts by volume (93% by weight)

The surface is very sculptural!!!!!


Thank you.

Tony Ferguson
Stoneware, Porcelain, Raku
www.aquariusartgallery.com
218-727-6339
315 N. Lake Ave
Apt 312
Duluth, MN 55806



----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris and Nissa"
To:
Sent: Monday, August 12, 2002 6:02 AM
Subject: Wet Firing Raku Tricks


> Keiko Suga and Noel Mapstead wrote a little in the archives about adding
> spodumene and Borax to claybody to strengthen it in quick fire Raku wet.
I
> am attempting an afternoon fun day with First Year college student group.
I
> lost my instructions for adding vermeculite to the clay body for fast
single
> firing works. Anyone have a recipe for such a thing? Or have any idea as
to
> what kind of percentages of Spodumene/Borax might be added to claybody?
>
> Thanks,
>
> ChrisKoivisto
> Duluth, MN
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> 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.
>