jesse hull on wed 4 may 05
Nylon Fiber: 1/4" or 1/2" will increase your wet and
dry strength immensely. I used to buy pre-mixed
porcelain w/ fiber from Continental Clay. I now
purchase fiber in those two lengths from Laguna Clay
Co. and mix my own, as I like my own clay body better.
So you know, if you are going to do any carving or
trimming with the clay, it can represent problems.
Although I've done that too, using exacto blades
instead of pottery tools.
The biggest pain is separating the fiber into
"fluff-balls", so you can acquire more of an even
dispersal. You pretty much have to do this by hand by
rubbing it b/t your fingers... have a seat, it'll take
a while.
I measure the addition like paper pulp, at 10-20% by
volume (ruler in a bucket of slip> ie,10" would become
11-12"). -There was just a clayart thread on that
earlier. A regular paint/clay mixer is gonna catch
alot of the fiber in it's blades, so here's a tip:
Grab the largest straight handled wooden mixing spoon
you can find (up to a 1/2" thick handle) and lock it
into the chuck of a drill. More than likely, the
spoon will never get perfectly centered like a bit or
paint mixer, but it will mix w/o fibers getting caught
up in it.
Personally, I've found the best reinforced clay to be
a half and half combo of fiber and paper pulp equaling
whatever total percent you find works for you.
~jessehull.
www.jessehull.com
www.latticestructures.com
Marcia Selsor on wed 4 may 05
> Dear Jennifer,
I put my fiber into a bowl of water to disperse it. It is much easier
and very efficient for removing the clumps of fiber. I also use it in
combination with paper pulp/cellulose
additives.
Marcia Selsor
going home to Montana soon!!!
Jennifer wrote:
> SNIP
> The biggest pain is separating the fiber into
> "fluff-balls", so you can acquire more of an even
> dispersal. You pretty much have to do this by hand by
> rubbing it b/t your fingers... have a seat, it'll take
> a while.
> I measure the addition like paper pulp, at 10-20% by
> volume (ruler in a bucket of slip> ie,10" would become
> 11-12"). -
jesse hull on wed 4 may 05
My name is Jesse, not Jennifer...
Anyway, could you explain your "bowl of water"
process? You'd still have to pull it apart with your
hands, right? Either way, it does sound like it may
be easier...
~J E S S E.
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