Marianne Lombardo on mon 6 oct 03
Do any of you use Plainsman M390 red stoneware clay a lot? I bought some and
used it yesterday for the first time. Wonderful stuff to throw with, I must
say. Either my skills have improved since taking nearly a year off from
working with clay (doubtful), or this is really good mud.
However, this morning I went downstairs to do some trimming, and ended up
breaking up most of my work and chucking it into a bucket to reclaim.
Handles were cracked at the join, pots with a saucer (double wall) left to
dry on some clay tiles were cracked around the bottom where the saucer-wall
was pulled. (I throw these small forms on terracotta tiles and leave to pop
off on their own, leaving a silky-smooth bottom.) Larger pots with no
attachments that were sliced off the bat were okay.
Until now, I've always used the various Tucker's clays and have never, ever
had a pot crack anywhere. Not during drying, or firing. I could throw one
day, leave the pots to sit wherever, uncovered, and trim the next day. But
I really love the red color of this Plainsman clay as the Tucker's red comes
out more orange than red. And this Plainsman clay is heaven to throw.
Does this clay have to be tucked in at night with a nice plastic blanket and
need a few magical words and left to dry slowly? I can handle that if
that's all it is. Or is a nasty clay that always plays tricks, letting me
think it's good until the next day?
Marianne Lombardo
Omemee, Ontario, Canada
......recovered very well from breast cancer last year, feeling terrific and
finally getting some hair back on my head and getting into a more normal
lifestyle again
Tony Hansen on tue 7 oct 03
I formulated the body about 20 years ago I think, and
you are right, it requires care, that is the price
you pay for higher plasticity.
The Plainsman bodies are made from native clays that
we mine and people that have only used bodies made from
refined minerals do encounter some surprises. It is the
same the other way around also.
-------8<--------
Do any of you use Plainsman M390 red stoneware clay a lot? I bought some and
used it yesterday for the first time. Wonderful stuff to throw with, I must
say. Either my skills have improved since taking nearly a year off from
working with clay (doubtful), or this is really good mud.
However, this morning I went downstairs to do some trimming, and ended up
breaking up most of my work and chucking it into a bucket to reclaim.
Handles were cracked at the join, pots with a saucer (double wall) left to
dry on some clay tiles were cracked around the bottom where the saucer-wall
was pulled. (I throw these small forms on terracotta tiles and leave to pop
off on their own, leaving a silky-smooth bottom.) Larger pots with no
attachments that were sliced off the bat were okay.
Until now, I\'ve always used the various Tucker\'s clays and have never, ever
had a pot crack anywhere. Not during drying, or firing. I could throw one
day, leave the pots to sit wherever, uncovered, and trim the next day. But
I really love the red color of this Plainsman clay as the Tucker\'s red comes
out more orange than red. And this Plainsman clay is heaven to throw.
Does this clay have to be tucked in at night with a nice plastic blanket and
need a few magical words and left to dry slowly? I can handle that if
that\'s all it is. Or is a nasty clay that always plays tricks, letting me
think it\'s good until the next day?
Marianne Lombardo
Omemee, Ontario, Canada
......recovered very well from breast cancer last year, feeling terrific and
finally getting some hair back on my head and getting into a more normal
lifestyle again
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--------
Tony Hansen, Digitalfire Corp.
Marianne Lombardo on tue 7 oct 03
Thanks Tony. I didn't realize you were connected with Plainsman Clay. Well
it sure does throw nicely, so I guess I'll just dry the work slowly.
Marianne Lombardo
Omemee, Ontario, Canada
> I formulated the body about 20 years ago I think, and
> you are right, it requires care, that is the price
> you pay for higher plasticity.
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