Imbolchottie@AOL.COM on tue 13 jul 04
About the time I bought some of the Bmix w/ grog from Laguna Clay someone
posted a question on what it was like to fire. It throws well, for me, and the
issue of attachments is now properly solved. The grog makes the great clay
even better (stronger) and the firing results are pretty much the same.
Not use to grog however -- when I was washing the dust off some mugs before
glazing I wore the skin off the side of my finger washing the inside of mugs
(which fit my nose thank you very much and I have never found a need to measure
it).
The glazing went well in the gas updraft from a practical point of view.
Actually this was an awful firing -- I lost every bowl I fired (sorry Wayne!) as
well as most of my larger vases and the cause? My own impatience most likely
and not checking the glaze to see if it was too thick. I was trying for white
but I got junk. The 25% that did fire well is exceptional.
I used the High Calcium Semi Matte glaze from Ron & John's book and used the
Field Mouse Brown for the first time. I am in love with the surface of this
glaze, running your hands over it almost makes one feel like you're copping a
feel, a fine feel at that.
I had some reduction on in the kiln, even though the glazes were formulated
for electric firings, I think in every oxidation firing there is some degree of
reduction whether intentional or not in a gas kiln. The Field Mouse Brown on
the edge of the shelves has a great gray green effect. The pieces on the
inside of the shelf have the beautiful INTENDED green brown effect.
Oh dear, is effect the noun or the verb?
If anyone is curious about trying the Bmix w/ grog with the issues of
attaching handles; Go For It. It's a great clay and fires beautifully.
I am looking for a brown body now to go with the MC6G glazes, plus my
favorite standby, 20 x 5, by Tony Hansen. I tried an Electric Brown (?) from Laguna
and all the glazes I tested crawled. I was looking for the Brown Sample box
when last at Laguna but they were out.
If anyone has a brown body (in CLAY) to suggest I would appreciate it.
One other thing -- I had two colors from Laguna that served me well in the
past. I've been using them over the last year and as I am getting lower in the
bucket, the glazes are running off the pieces like crazy. Do some glazes not
AGE WELL?
Sorry to be so wordy, it's been a while I realize since I've posted but I
have been concentrating on throwing shapes and with the help of the Bmix w/ grog,
almost anything is possible. I've got a sheet of basic greek vessels up in
the studio to 'muse' me along this new path.
Jon Pacini at Laguna was right again and it's great to have such a rep to
deal with. Thumbs up on the Bmix w/ grog.
Gail -- the mother and kitten pictures are great -- I am cat simple, what can
I say? The six week old kitten I adopted from the shelter was called Otter
because with his color and no ears (as a two day old babe) he looked like one.
So Otter has become Potter. I've gone corny with the names, sorry to say.
Odd thread on 'working like a dog' -- for me it depends on what your
definition of work is and for everyone it is different. How I envy those who have
their own studio to work in. I'm still using the lab at school but hey, at 4 am
I was under the kiln trying to relight the pilot, and I was having a ball.
My best to the list.
Jonathan in Los Angeles
Ivor and Olive Lewis on wed 14 jul 04
Dear Jonathan,
I am sure many people will find this interesting.
I am wondering about your description of the nature of your new mix.
You say it is "Stronger". By this, are you telling us you can throw
taller pots than before from your standard weights, or that you can
achieve thinner sections without causing twisting, or that the lower
walls of cylinders do not begin to squat when you come to getting near
the limiting height.
Perhaps you would be willing to give more details.
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis.
Redhill,
S. Australia.
Jon Pacini on wed 14 jul 04
Greetings All, Hi Jonathan---you wrote:
One other thing -- I had two colors from Laguna that served me well in the
past. I've been using them over the last year and as I am getting lower in
the
bucket, the glazes are running off the pieces like crazy. Do some glazes
not
AGE WELL?
Chances are there is something heavy like frit in the glaze and even though
you re stirring it up well, when you get to the bottom of the bucket what
you have is a lot of frit.
Laguna puts a minimal amount of suspending agents in the dry glazes because
there s just no telling how they are going to be used. Brushed dipped poured
sprayed etc. and all those processes take differing additions.
Drop Juan (Laguna s Glazes chemist) an e-mail at juan@lagunaclay.com
and give him the specifics of the glaze and he
can give you some suggestions on additions to resolve your dilemma.
And thanks for the kind words---
Best regards
Jon Pacini
Clay Manager
Laguna Clay Co
Ron Roy on sun 18 jul 04
Hi Jonathan,
I like the comment about copping a feel. I have come to the conclusion that
some glazes have extraordinary surfaces that do feel good - and those that
feel like skin are in that category. If what we want is to have our pots
picked up and held - best to pay attention to that aspect.
Get your kiln hard wired in - plugs are a hazard - they will sometimes burn
up - cut em off.
Clay for use on the wheel should have a certain shrinkage. If it is
vitrified the shrinkage should be around 12 to 13%. Clays that shrink too
much - especially during the wet to dry stage are difficult to work with.
Adding grog to clays that shrink too much does make them behave better for
a couple of reasons.
If you have tested the clay you use for shrinkage and vitrification you
will be aware of what you need to do the job right.
Let me know if you have not seen my method of gauging glaze thickness and I
will send it.
RR
>About the time I bought some of the Bmix w/ grog from Laguna Clay someone
>posted a question on what it was like to fire. It throws well, for me, and the
>issue of attachments is now properly solved. The grog makes the great clay
>even better (stronger) and the firing results are pretty much the same.
>
>Not use to grog however -- when I was washing the dust off some mugs before
>glazing I wore the skin off the side of my finger washing the inside of mugs
>(which fit my nose thank you very much and I have never found a need to measure
>it).
>
>The glazing went well in the gas updraft from a practical point of view.
>Actually this was an awful firing -- I lost every bowl I fired (sorry
>Wayne!) as
>well as most of my larger vases and the cause? My own impatience most likely
>and not checking the glaze to see if it was too thick. I was trying for white
>but I got junk. The 25% that did fire well is exceptional.
>
>I used the High Calcium Semi Matte glaze from Ron & John's book and used the
>Field Mouse Brown for the first time. I am in love with the surface of this
>glaze, running your hands over it almost makes one feel like you're copping a
>feel, a fine feel at that.
>
>I had some reduction on in the kiln, even though the glazes were formulated
>for electric firings, I think in every oxidation firing there is some degree of
>reduction whether intentional or not in a gas kiln. The Field Mouse Brown on
>the edge of the shelves has a great gray green effect. The pieces on the
>inside of the shelf have the beautiful INTENDED green brown effect.
>
>Oh dear, is effect the noun or the verb?
>
>If anyone is curious about trying the Bmix w/ grog with the issues of
>attaching handles; Go For It. It's a great clay and fires beautifully.
>
>I am looking for a brown body now to go with the MC6G glazes, plus my
>favorite standby, 20 x 5, by Tony Hansen. I tried an Electric Brown (?)
>from Laguna
>and all the glazes I tested crawled. I was looking for the Brown Sample box
>when last at Laguna but they were out.
>
>If anyone has a brown body (in CLAY) to suggest I would appreciate it.
>
>One other thing -- I had two colors from Laguna that served me well in the
>past. I've been using them over the last year and as I am getting lower in the
>bucket, the glazes are running off the pieces like crazy. Do some glazes not
>AGE WELL?
>
>Sorry to be so wordy, it's been a while I realize since I've posted but I
>have been concentrating on throwing shapes and with the help of the Bmix
>w/ grog,
>almost anything is possible. I've got a sheet of basic greek vessels up in
>the studio to 'muse' me along this new path.
>
>Jon Pacini at Laguna was right again and it's great to have such a rep to
>deal with. Thumbs up on the Bmix w/ grog.
>
>Gail -- the mother and kitten pictures are great -- I am cat simple, what can
>I say? The six week old kitten I adopted from the shelter was called Otter
>because with his color and no ears (as a two day old babe) he looked like one.
>So Otter has become Potter. I've gone corny with the names, sorry to say.
>
>Odd thread on 'working like a dog' -- for me it depends on what your
>definition of work is and for everyone it is different. How I envy those
>who have
>their own studio to work in. I'm still using the lab at school but hey,
>at 4 am
>I was under the kiln trying to relight the pilot, and I was having a ball.
>
>My best to the list.
>
>Jonathan in Los Angeles
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>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.
Ron Roy
RR#4
15084 Little Lake Road
Brighton, Ontario
Canada
K0K 1H0
Phone: 613-475-9544
Fax: 613-475-3513
| |
|
