Bill Edwards on thu 26 jun 03
Hi, I won't go back over the floating blues question
here but Bruce you may send me an e.mail and we can
tackle that issue again on a personal level. Remember,
I used GB at one point as well as many others but
frits can be used and are amazing at times given the
right set of chemicals are in place.
Also John, I know as well as you that GB has been a
real pain but we must remember that a large portion of
people relied on the glaze and over the years many
recipes accumlated with the GB available during the
good run of the mine? Questionable, but I have used
some good GB over the years and some of those have
passed lab tests and currently in my home is a set of
dishes that I dearly love less a couple my daughter
managed to break in her early dishwashing years. I
believe the pace has been set and most everyone now is
aware of the variations in GB and that we can't rely
on the information or analysis for it as it stands. I
still have multiple analysis for the stuff but seldom
use it unless I am making a comparison for some
reason. But in the end I will place my toe out there
and commend GB for what is was but will also encourage
others to let it fade away and look at viable
alternatives via frits when and where possible. Also
if we look at other chemicals used we can say the same
about several materials that are on the market and
seem to change with every bag we get.
For new glaze magicians here are a few chemicals to
stock that will help you and would be good to have at
least a small stock in your pantry.
Whiting.
OM4 Ball and EPK
G-200 Potash and NC4 Soda Spar.
3134/3110/3124 (3134 mostly)
Wollastonite
Silica of course
Talc
Dolomite
I try my best to stay clear of lithium, barium, zinc.
The above materials in variation can keep a person
busy for years maybe a lifetime? I keep lots of rutile
on hand and I use a lot of Light Rutile. I also use a
good amount of Spanish Red Iron Oxide.
Keep in mind I do stock many other chemicals but the
above would suffice for most anything I can think of
and in particular if I was just stocking and getting
started as a potter. They are all well known and top
performing materials with a good record. Ron might
have something in regards to the soda spar? I believe
he has studied it and has stated it can lead to
crazing. I prefer using it instead of Neph Syen. So
that would be your personal choice. G-200 contains am
ample supply of Soda but certain glazes may call for
more based on the reactive oxides and colour expected.
An example would be a copper turquoise with tin.
I think I have used up my monthly alloted time here so
I will keep reading and enjoying the clayart
contributions and head out to the studio to see what I
can come up with.
Bill Edwards
=====
http://www.tallapoosariverpottery.com/
Bill Edwards
PO Box 267
Lafayette, AL, 36862
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