Michael Lancaster on sun 18 dec 05
My wife, Barbara Harnack and I fire 60-100 or more pieces of Raku every =
month, from 6" tall to 36" tall. We have in many ways stayed clear of =
firing flat pieces. However, we must fire flat pieces from time to =
time. First off- we get no dunting (well, occasionally we do loose =
about 1 out 300). Every piece is preheated on top of the kiln, so that =
the base, or part that will come in contact with the hot shelf, is hot =
enough to burn your fingers. Almost all of Barbara's work are just =
slabs, yet they are all made to stand up right - having a 1/4 to 1/2 =
circle base. When we have pieces that must remain flat (wall pieces) we =
build a pyramid of bricks in the center of the kiln and lean all the =
pieces on it so that the flat work will lean back on the bricks, but is =
primarily resting on its thin base. The thin base is absorbing the heat =
up from the shelves rather than horizontally across the entire slab or =
construction. Being 'upright' also allows us to easily pick up the =
work. We will repeat this with 2-4 'flat' pieces for several pulls and =
then tear down the pyramid firing other work. =20
Sadly everyone talks about Raku like there will be terrible losses. =
Most work that we ever loses is because during the firing I back up and =
step on something. =20
Michael Lancaster
Studio98B
info@studio98B.com
www.studio98B.com=20
Cerrillos, NM
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