JHUNTLEY@cariboo.bc.ca on fri 25 jul 97
Hi Clay people,
Here's another method for reclaiming clay that is too stiff for
throwing. Just cut into 1" slices and layer between a wet towel,
place in a plastic bag and in 1 to 2 hours I will have wedgeable,
throwable clay.
I also use this method for dry clay (pots that don't measure up
fit into this category) - just break up the pots or dry lumps of
clay, wrap in a wet towel, place in a plastic bag and add about a
cup of water - more if you're reclaiming a large amount. The next
day, the clay will be perfect for wedging and throwing.
Blocks of rock hard clay have been reclaimed this way in a few
days with the addition of water each day.
Sure beats having to pour off excess water and drying out the
slurry on plaster bats.
Geri Huntley ..... in Kamloops, BC where we finally had summer
this past weekend before being pelted with hail and rain since -
well, who wants to be outside anyway when we can be in the studio
playing with clay!
Jenna Logan on tue 11 aug 98
I have one more question about reclaiming clay , Im hoping someone can answer
& explain why.
When I recycle wet clay from the throwing water bucket & the splash pan I dump
it all into a larger bucket . Then after a few days I drain off the clear
water on top, & mix the remainder well , then pour onto plaster to dry till it
becomes moist, then wedge & store till Im ready to throw .
However Ive heard alot of people let their clay slurry dry out completely ,
crush it up, & then add the dry clay to water , then proceed to dry the clay
till moist for wedging.
My question is what are the benefits to drying the clay out completely with
this extra step ? Do most of you do this ? Does it really make that much of a
difference? Thanks for all your help. Jenna
Dannon Rhudy on wed 12 aug 98
I add all clay to the slurry bucket, wet or dry or in between.
It makes no difference in the final outcome; sometimes,with
some clays, they are easier to dissolve in the water if they
are completely dry, but it's a lot of work and not worth messing
with crunching up dry clay, in my opinion, nor yet having it
lying about in the way GETTING dry. I think it makes no
difference, and if what you are doing is working, then keep doing
that.
Dannon Rhudy
potter@koyote.com
----------
> From: Jenna Logan
> To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
> Subject: Reclaiming Clay
> Date: Tuesday, August 11, 1998 1:24 PM
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I have one more question about reclaiming clay , Im hoping someone can
answer
> & explain why.
> When I recycle wet clay from the throwing water bucket & the splash pan I
dump
> it all into a larger bucket . Then after a few days I drain off the clear
> water on top, & mix the remainder well , then pour onto plaster to dry
till it
> becomes moist, then wedge & store till Im ready to throw .
> However Ive heard alot of people let their clay slurry dry out completely
,
> crush it up, & then add the dry clay to water , then proceed to dry the
clay
> till moist for wedging.
> My question is what are the benefits to drying the clay out completely
with
> this extra step ? Do most of you do this ? Does it really make that much
of a
> difference? Thanks for all your help. Jenna
Edouard Bastarache on thu 13 aug 98
Hello Jenna,
here is what i do:
1-When the water i use to throw becomes too thick(slip) i pour it in a
bucket.
2-Pieces of clay obtained from trimming are put on a plaster bat to dry
and added to the slip to slake.
3-Pieces of wet clay cut of the foot and the rim are also
added wet to the slurry.
Later,
Edouard Bastarache
edouardb@sorel-tracy.qc.ca
http://www.sorel-tracy.qc.ca/~edouardb/
----------
> De : Dannon Rhudy
> A : CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
> Objet : Re: Reclaiming Clay
> Date : 12 ao{t, 1998 08:36
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
> I add all clay to the slurry bucket, wet or dry or in between.
> It makes no difference in the final outcome; sometimes,with
> some clays, they are easier to dissolve in the water if they
> are completely dry, but it's a lot of work and not worth messing
> with crunching up dry clay, in my opinion, nor yet having it
> lying about in the way GETTING dry. I think it makes no
> difference, and if what you are doing is working, then keep doing
> that.
>
> Dannon Rhudy
> potter@koyote.com
>
> ----------
> > From: Jenna Logan
> > To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
> > Subject: Reclaiming Clay
> > Date: Tuesday, August 11, 1998 1:24 PM
> >
> > ----------------------------Original
message----------------------------
> > I have one more question about reclaiming clay , Im hoping someone can
> answer
> > & explain why.
> > When I recycle wet clay from the throwing water bucket & the splash pan
I
> dump
> > it all into a larger bucket . Then after a few days I drain off the
clear
> > water on top, & mix the remainder well , then pour onto plaster to dry
> till it
> > becomes moist, then wedge & store till Im ready to throw .
> > However Ive heard alot of people let their clay slurry dry out
completely
> ,
> > crush it up, & then add the dry clay to water , then proceed to dry the
> clay
> > till moist for wedging.
> > My question is what are the benefits to drying the clay out completely
> with
> > this extra step ? Do most of you do this ? Does it really make that
much
> of a
> > difference? Thanks for all your help. Jenna
Grace Epstein on thu 13 aug 98
Hi Jenna
The only problem I have had mixing different degrees of dry/wet clay & slurry
in order to recycle is finding dry lumps in the wedging process. I usually
completely dry the clay for recycling so there is an even absorbtion of water
and a clay that is easier to wedge.
Grace
Stephen Mills on fri 14 aug 98
The basis for wet reclaimation over dry is the former allows you
to retain the organic residues in the clay which are a major aid
to plasticity. Remember how musty a really good plastic clay
smells?
Steve
Bath
UK
In message , Jenna Logan writes
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I have one more question about reclaiming clay , Im hoping someone can answer
>& explain why.
>When I recycle wet clay from the throwing water bucket & the splash pan I dump
>it all into a larger bucket . Then after a few days I drain off the clear
>water on top, & mix the remainder well , then pour onto plaster to dry till it
>becomes moist, then wedge & store till Im ready to throw .
>However Ive heard alot of people let their clay slurry dry out completely ,
>crush it up, & then add the dry clay to water , then proceed to dry the clay
>till moist for wedging.
>My question is what are the benefits to drying the clay out completely with
>this extra step ? Do most of you do this ? Does it really make that much of a
>difference? Thanks for all your help. Jenna
>
--
Steve Mills
Bath
UK
home e-mail: stevemills@mudslinger.demon.co.uk
work e-mail: stevemills@bathpotters.demon.co.uk
own website: http://www.mudslinger.demon.co.uk
BPS website: http://www.bathpotters.demon.co.uk
Joy Holdread on sun 23 aug 98
> My question is what are the benefits to drying the clay out completely with
> this extra step ? Do most of you do this ? Does it really make that much
of
> a
> difference? Thanks for all your help. Jenna
>
I can't think of any benefit. Seems to me the clay would need to be aged
again if allowed to dry out. JOY in Tucson
Sheryl VanVleck-Wells on thu 27 jan 05
Bonnie:
I have a crowded studio and little money so it is very important to =
reclaim my clay scraps and to do so as I go. I have my working bucket =
and when that gets too full (I add hot water each morning to help my =
hands, I pour off the run off (I have a sink that pipes to the outside =
and just pour off the water on top) then I put the slurry into a larger =
bucket. When this bucket is full and has decanted so that most of the =
bucket is thick slurry, I pour it out onto my wedging table (plaster) =
and smooth it to an even thickness and let it set up. I turn it once =
usually. Then, I wedge it slightly ( if I have time) and bag it up. If =
it has been done too much and is not good for throwing, I use it for =
handles and hand built stuff.
As I am trimming, I have a couple of kitty litter trays that I use. I =
put it in one and when I want a break from other work I take a rolling =
pin to the smaller pieces in a second tray and throw it in the =
aforementioned bucket. The bigger stuff gets the hammer treatment. =20
Hope this helps
Sheryl
Sheryl A. VanVleck
www.VanVleckStudio.com - almost ready to =
upload (famous last words)
Allyson May on sat 29 jan 05
We are big advocates of recycling at our house. We have to do all the =
garbage recycling our selves, sorting, bagging, drive to the recycle =
center (30 min.) and sort again into proper bins. Not much fun during a =
Midwest winter but, it make sense. When it comes to clay I have the =
same attitude. Waste not, want not. It just makes sense. I do the 5 =
gallon bucket thing also. When its full it is time to reclaim using a =
plaster slab and then hand wedging. I do a fair amount of stiff slab =
construction in addition to throwing so I do tend to pile up the reclaim =
quickly. This method was killing my elbows and wrists from all the =
wedging so I am now the proud owner of a Peter Pugger mixer pugmill. =
Thanks for the helpful info Joyce!! It was an expensive purchase =
although, weighed against the cost of acupuncture, lost time in the =
studio, not that expensive. Throwing out my scrap just seemed like a =
waste and I couldn't do it. I figure saving the cost of all new clay =
and acupuncture treatments will quickly take care of the pugmill =
expense. I also think the pugmill will solve my porcelain reclaim =
bloating problems. I don't do tons of clay a year but if I did I have =
to think I would still reclaim. In my tiny and currently snow covered =
part of the universe it just makes sense.=20
Peace,
Allyson May
Stoney Creek Pottery
Bloomington, Indiana
Ivor and Olive Lewis on fri 3 nov 06
Dear Ron Roy,=20
I agree with you that reclaimed clay should be treated as though it were =
virgin material.
Having got hold of a pH meter, albeit a rather primitive device, I am =
finding that the value can change as the clay stands.
Perhaps Epsom Salt provides the initial acidic environment that kick =
starts the process. Further mechanical work may contribute to =
micronising remaining larger fragments of clay minerals.
Enjoy the weekend.
Best regards,
Ivor.
sacredclay on sat 4 nov 06
I've been recyling ^6 clays of all types, red, speckled brownstone,
white, and sometimes a bit of lowfire is mixed in with it. I've never
had a problem with it except for the occasional foreign body that
burned out through the glazes. A friend I haven't seen in a long time
had a big bucket of dried out scrap clay that's been there for quite
a few years and she never had the time to recycled them (she's a
single mother with four kids). I greedily asked if I could take them
and she said sure, since I usaully give her alot of reclcled clay
from the studio that I work at. At the studio, I've discovered that
clay that has been left exposed to the air for years isn't the best.
cigarette butts were abundant there, as well as the strong smell of
hard liquors. Her studio was right next to the kitchen and she'd
frequently have parties to celebrate anything.Not to mentioned dead
bugs and alot of dust. Results? Clay blistered alot in mature firing,
ruing loads after loads of kiln works. I ended up throwing out the
whole batch and started recycling exclusinvely from what the students
at the studio had. the moral of the story? Don't be too desperate to
recycle other people's clay if they are from outside the studio where
you work. It's now back to normal and I'm still finding sponges in
the clay. Kathryn in NC where the glorius fall leaves are dancing
with the wind.
>
> Dear Ron Roy,
> I agree with you that reclaimed clay should be treated as though it
were virgin material.
> Having got hold of a pH meter, albeit a rather primitive device, I
am finding that the value can change as the clay stands.
> Perhaps Epsom Salt provides the initial acidic environment that
kick starts the process. Further mechanical work may contribute to
micronising remaining larger fragments of clay minerals.
> Enjoy the weekend.
>
> Best regards,
> Ivor.
>
>
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Ivor and Olive Lewis on mon 6 nov 06
Dear Kathryn in NC where the glorius fall leaves are dancing with the =
wind.
I agree with your sentiments.
But the context of my reply and the tenor of the discussion was a school =
or similar institution art ceramic studio.
Best regards,
Ivor.
Lili Krakowski on tue 3 nov 09
Every potter creates some hodgepodgy clay. Two bodies get mixed =3D
together by accident. Stuff with slip on it is discarded. Slip itself =3D
is discarded. Slip tests are discarded. Clay brought in as a sample =3D
from the store is discarded. =3D20
In each case dry the stuff well, and add it to the reclaim bucket.
When bucket is full, rewet a sample and test. Test at 04, put through =3D
boiling, freeing cycle....if unsatisfactory take to 01 and up. Be sure =3D
to fire your sample on a "biscuit".
When you have the clay tested use it....Why not?
Lili Krakowski
Be of good courage
Mildred on tue 31 aug 10
Thought I'd add my two cents to the discussion. I keep two large =3D
buckets (once used for professional spackling) and throw all my scraps =3D
into one bucket. In the other one I keep scraps that have been covered =3D
with water and also have a paint mixer in there as well. When they have =
=3D
soaked for a few days, mix them up and let it sit for another few days =3D
mix again and then transfer to several plaster bats and let them dry to =3D
the firmness I want. I keep my reclaimed clay in another bucket and new =
=3D
clay in another and mix them until I get the consistency I find =3D
comfortable for throwing.....Mildred Herot - Hollow Tree Pottery
Nancy Spinella on tue 31 aug 10
*nods* I have a similar system - with no running water in my studio, I use
two buckets that are 1/2 - 3/4 full of water to rinse my hands and tools.
When the water level gets unusable in one, I start on the other and reclaim
the first (pouring off excess water and letting it firm up a tiny bit, as
needed).
--Nancy
On Tue, Aug 31, 2010 at 1:25 PM, Mildred wrote:
> Thought I'd add my two cents to the discussion. I keep two large buckets
> (once used for professional spackling) and throw all my scraps into one
> bucket. In the other one I keep scraps that have been covered with water
> and also have a paint mixer in there as well. When they have soaked for =
a
> few days, mix them up and let it sit for another few days mix again and t=
hen
> transfer to several plaster bats and let them dry to the firmness I want.=
I
> keep my reclaimed clay in another bucket and new clay in another and mix
> them until I get the consistency I find comfortable for throwing.....Mild=
red
> Herot - Hollow Tree Pottery
>
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