Brad Carter on sat 23 aug 03
Hi all,
This is my first message to Clayart Listserve. I am a relatively new
potter. I like throwing large-size pots, up to 2 ft. tall. I am thinking of
doing much taller forms--perhaps 6 ft tall or so, which would function as garden
sculpture. Think of a pawn from a chess set, enlarged to 6 ft. size. Can
anyone offer any words of wisdom or tips on how to construct and fire these
large size pieces?
So far, I have constructed 2 ft tall urns by stacking three 10-15 lb
cylinders that are thrown as separate pieces and joined wet. I rough out my shape as
I add cylinders and heat the roughed out shape with a torch before adding
another cylinder on top. This helps prevent the bottom of the form from
collapsing from the weight being added to the top. Once I get all the cylinders
assembled into the rough shape, I work the form into final shape, mostly using a
rib to expand the form from the inside.
I am thinking of constructing 3 or more separate subassemblies that would be
assembled together during the final glaze firing as one big tall piece.
Right now I only have access to a gas kiln with a chamber that is about 2ft x
2ft x 3 ft tall. I am thinking of constructing a kiln to gas fire the 6 ft
tall forms described above, but I have no idea how to do this. Can anyone
point me to some good references to help me understand how to build a kiln for
firing large size work?
Best regards,
Brad Carter
21816 Rambling Road
Grass Valley, CA 95945
530-271-5790
bradcarter@aol.com
Jim Murphy on sat 23 aug 03
Hi Brad,
I personally haven't thrown anything 6-ft tall.
However, I think the information from Conrad Snider's website may be of help
to you.
Make sure you checkout the "discover how they are made" link.
Good luck,
Jim Murphy
Snail Scott on sat 23 aug 03
At 12:17 PM 8/23/03 EDT, you wrote:
>I am thinking of constructing 3 or more separate subassemblies that would be
>assembled together during the final glaze firing as one big tall piece.
>Right now I only have access to a gas kiln with a chamber that is about 2ft x
>2ft x 3 ft tall...
Do they have to be fired as one piece? If the
design would not be ruined by a visible joint,
post-firing attachment can be a very versatile
method of making large work.
Epoxy will serve well to permanently bond
sections together. A tidy unconcealed joint
can be entirely acceptable in many cases. If
not, the joint can be filled and colored to
match the glaze, though that will not be as
archival as the fired surfaces.
Another option is to simply have sections
which stack on top of one another, using a
'key' system or simple gravity to hold them
in place.
You can also bolt sections together, creating
a sturdy and safe attachment which can be
dismantled in the future to facilitate
shipping and installation.
-Snail
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