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ronroy/sand mesh for cracking clay body

updated sat 17 nov 07

 

joyce on fri 16 nov 07


>Hi Tracy,
>
>It might be there was a mistake made when mixing that clay - certainly call
>the manufacturer and ask if they have tested it or had other complaints.
>
>Some clay companies will do the right thing and at least replace the clay.
>
>If you want to test to see what the plasticity is I can send the
>instructions. Clay can crack because there is too much platicity or too
>little.
>
>RR
>
> >I've been having major problems with my claybody cracking since about
> >August of this summer. I've been trying every conceivable idea to
> >manage and fix the problem all to no avail. I've slow dried, med.
> >dried, fast dried. I've trimmed, compressed, humidified,
> >de-humidified. I've begged, pleaded and cried and still those gosh
> >durn s-cracks greet me when I enter the studio.
> >
> >I should mention I've been using this same clay body for quite awhile
> >with absolutely no s-crack problems. Its just been these clay pallets
> >I've ordered this summer that are giving me the hard time (all with
> >the same batch number). The clay is Miller 510. Stoneware.
> >
> >So, I've decided I'm just going to follow someone's recommendation of
> >adding sand to the 75 lb. batches I put in my pugmill. Could someone
> >please giving me a starting point for what size mesh sand I should get
> >and ..... what would be a good percentage to start with for a 75 lb
> >batch? These are wheel thrown pots I make.
> >
> >Tracy
>
>Ron Roy
>RR#4
>15084 Little Lake Road
>Brighton, Ontario
>Canada
>K0K 1H0