Janet Kaiser on fri 29 nov 02
I have had several enquiries off-list about the word "clamp" as referred to
in my post on cellaring root vegetables/clay. The word "clamp" is
apparently unknown across the pond AND in (sub)urban Britain! I expect it
is being lost as a concept in the countryside too... Supermarkets store in
warehouses filled with noxious fumes instead these days!
Anyway, "clamp" means nothing more or less than a pile. A "clamp" can
really a pile of anything... In my "potato clamp", yes, it is part
underground and part above, but I am not sure that is the main criteria of
acquiring clamp status... Indeed, according to my trusty Oxford Dictionary:
clamp (2) pile (of bricks for burning || potatoes, etc. under straw and
earth, peat, garden rubbish, etc.) Origin: 16th century probably from Dutch
"klamp" heap, in brickmaking, related to clump.
But a "clamp kiln" usually is part underground too... Really all you do is
lay a bonfire of wood and other fuel in a shallow pit dug in the ground (no
man-made lining). That is set alight and when it has burned down, the pots
(bone dry) are set on top of the embers. When they are past the water
smoking stage more fuel is added on top. Then soil and grass sods (turf)
are put on the top of that and adjoining ground. It is then left for 24
hours before being unpacked... At least that is a "clamp kiln" as far as I
know! :-)
I have always PRESUMED it is what people on Clayart refer to as a "pit
firing". It would be interesting to hear if that is true! Has anyone ever
done a "clamp firing" any other way? Is it basically a pit firing? I would
hate to have another historic term bite the dust!
Sincerely and hoping you are all repleat and full of pumpkin pie across the
pond... :-)
Janet Kaiser
The Chapel of Art =95 Capel Celfyddyd
8 Marine Crescent, Criccieth LL52 0EA, Wales, UK
Tel: 01766-523570 URL: http://www.the-coa.org.uk
Philip Poburka on fri 29 nov 02
Oh...right...
Over here a 'clamp' tends to be a device as for holding or
secureing work in progress, as Wood Worker's
Clamps...'Hose-Clamps' as the tightenable 'ring' used to
secure Automobile Water Hoses and so on...many kinds of
Clamps...
In Wood Working, our 'Clamp' I believe is known as a 'Cramp'
in domains of more British influence...
What do they call the 'Hose Clamp' in England?
Phil
Las Vegas
----- Original Message -----
From: "Janet Kaiser"
To:
Sent: Friday, November 29, 2002 2:53 PM
Subject: Potato clamps and clamp kilns
I have had several enquiries off-list about the word "clamp"
as referred to
in my post on cellaring root vegetables/clay. The word
"clamp" is
apparently unknown across the pond AND in (sub)urban
Britain! I expect it
is being lost as a concept in the countryside too...
Supermarkets store in
warehouses filled with noxious fumes instead these days!
Anyway, "clamp" means nothing more or less than a pile. A
"clamp" can
really a pile of anything... In my "potato clamp", yes, it
is part
underground and part above, but I am not sure that is the
main criteria of
acquiring clamp status... Indeed, according to my trusty
Oxford Dictionary:
clamp (2) pile (of bricks for burning || potatoes, etc.
under straw and
earth, peat, garden rubbish, etc.) Origin: 16th century
probably from Dutch
"klamp" heap, in brickmaking, related to clump.
But a "clamp kiln" usually is part underground too... Really
all you do is
lay a bonfire of wood and other fuel in a shallow pit dug in
the ground (no
man-made lining). That is set alight and when it has burned
down, the pots
(bone dry) are set on top of the embers. When they are past
the water
smoking stage more fuel is added on top. Then soil and grass
sods (turf)
are put on the top of that and adjoining ground. It is then
left for 24
hours before being unpacked... At least that is a "clamp
kiln" as far as I
know! :-)
I have always PRESUMED it is what people on Clayart refer to
as a "pit
firing". It would be interesting to hear if that is true!
Has anyone ever
done a "clamp firing" any other way? Is it basically a pit
firing? I would
hate to have another historic term bite the dust!
Sincerely and hoping you are all repleat and full of pumpkin
pie across the
pond... :-)
Janet Kaiser
The Chapel of Art . Capel Celfyddyd
8 Marine Crescent, Criccieth LL52 0EA, Wales, UK
Tel: 01766-523570 URL: http://www.the-coa.org.uk
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Janet Kaiser on sat 30 nov 02
Phil, a wood-working clamp is also a clamp over here too! At least the sort
with a screwing device and metal bow is called a clamp! Is there another
type?
Definition (1) in the OCD dictionary: n & v 1. brace, clasp or band usu. of
iron for strengthening other materials or holding things together.
Appliance or tool with screw connection of parts for holding or
compressing. 2. v.t. strengthen or fasten (as) with clamp(s); place or hold
firmly Origin: ME prob. f. MDu, MLG klamp(e) f. klamp-, klam- press
together.
Yes, hose clamps too... At least it is in the garden, and I imagine the
same for garage mechanics too, but everything that goes on under the bonnet
of a car is a mystery to me... :-)
A "cramp" is a metal bar only used by stone masons as far as I know. I
shall have to ask our chippy if he uses anything called a cramp...
The interesting part for potters: the (usu. rubber) bands used to clamp
multi-part moulds. Yes, they are clamped together, but what are the bands
called? I do not think I have ever heard them called anything! Shame
Jonathan Kaplan is no longer around... Are there any others who could shed
some light on that?
Sincerely
Janet Kaiser
*********** REPLY SEPARATOR ***********
>clamp=B2 pile (of bricks for burning || potatoes, etc. under straw and
>earth, peat, garden rubbish, etc.) Origin: 16th century probably from
Dutch "klamp" heap, in brickmaking, related to clump.
On 29/11/02 at 16:38 Philip Poburka wrote:
>Oh...right...
>Over here a 'clamp' tends to be a device as for holding or
>secureing work in progress, as Wood Worker's
>Clamps...'Hose-Clamps' as the tightenable 'ring' used to
>secure Automobile Water Hoses and so on...many kinds of
>Clamps...
>In Wood Working, our 'Clamp' I believe is known as a 'Cramp'
>in domains of more British influence...
>What do they call the 'Hose Clamp' in England?
Janet Kaiser
The Chapel of Art =95 Capel Celfyddyd
8 Marine Crescent, Criccieth LL52 0EA, Wales, UK
Tel: 01766-523570 URL: http://www.the-coa.org.uk
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