Dale Neese on sun 25 feb 07
In the ceramics studio at the Southwest School of Art and Craft the electric
skillet that melts the hot wax is connected to a large analog sweep hand
timer. The students using the hot wax must set the timer to use the electric
skillet. Timers of this type will handle up to 750 watts on two receptacles.
The timer has a maximum timing capacity from 5 to 60 minutes then shuts off.
An oil is added to the wax to help thin and promote smooth application. All
classes are supervised by the instructor when the hot wax is in use and
lessens the expense associated with other types of wax.
In my personal studio I also use an electric skillet for my wax mixed with
oil. I prefer to wax the bottoms of ware while unloading the bisque firing.
Most all the pots are still warm and the wax goes on much easier and I don't
need to have the temperature of the skillet set high enough to cause smoking
of the wax. I have the skillet next to a banding wheel made from an old
pottery wheel head mounted in a block of wood. Bring the pots inside from
the kiln and wax them immediately. I exhaust the air from the studio with a
window fan but still wear a respirator.
I wax my porcelain pieces with liquid emulsion wax with a spoon full of
alumina powder mixed in. The stoneware lidded pieces are also alumina waxed.
The lids almost never need to be unstuck after glaze firing. The kiln
shelves are dusted with a mixture of silica and alumina before the pots are
set. Make sure if you do mix alumina with your emulsion wax that you label
the container. If you mistakenly use the alumina wax for decoration on top
of the glaze it will be very unsightly after firing. Been there done that.
I prefer to use the plain liquid emulsion wax for on glaze decoration or
waxing over a glazed area. I usually let the wax completely dry for at least
a day before adding secondary glazes. The glaze is hardened by then and
secondary glaze rolls almost completely from the waxed area. Excess beads of
glaze can be easily removed with a damp sponge.
Dale Tex
"across the alley from the Alamo"
San Antonio, Texas USA
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