search  current discussion  categories  tools & equipment - ball mills 

ball mills in detroit

updated wed 17 mar 10

 

James Freeman on mon 15 mar 10


Hi Paul...

Thanks for that great information. I do understand the benefits of
ball milling glazes. I was only questioning the usefulness of a mill
jar that only holds a cup of glaze. It was explained to me that it
might be useful if one wanted to mill just the colorants, which I
accept, but this then lead me to wonder about the feasibility of
substituting finer colorants such as cobalt carb instead of cobalt
oxide, or precipitated or yellow iron oxide instead of milled
hematite, rather than milling down the coarser varieties in a cup of
glaze.

Take care.

...James

James Freeman

"All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I
should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed."
-Michel de Montaigne

http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesfreemanstudio/
http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com/clayart/




On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 9:24 PM, Paul Herman w=
=3D
rote:
> Hi James,
>
> I'm jumping in here because I use a ball mill for dispersion of pigments
> with several of my glazes. All my milling is with water, enough to make a
> medium thick slip. All these glazes are milled whole, not just the pigmen=
=3D
ts.
>
> There's a gas fired copper red which will have little white bits of tin
> oxide showing if not ball milled.
>
> The regular celadon would have dark iron spots from red iron oxide unless
> ball milled. Even after screening through 80 mesh there are still dark
> specks.
>
> Craig's blue celadon (from Craig Edwards) uses 1.5% black iron oxide, whi=
=3D
ch
> spots badly if not milled. My variety of Craig's =3DA0also has raw ash wh=
ic=3D
h is
> only screened to 16 mesh. I screen my ash dry to only 16 mesh, because al=
=3D
l
> my glazes containing ash are ball milled.
>
> I used to use the ball mill for a cobalt glaze, but lately have been gett=
=3D
ing
> my blues from iron. Cobalt has become too harsh for my sensibilities
> (mostly.)
>
> Fifteen to thirty minutes are usually plenty for dispersion of pigments o=
=3D
r
> ash. When I grind feldspar from sand to -100M it takes six hours.
>
> Good milling to you,
>
> Paul Herman
>
> Great Basin Pottery
> Doyle, California US
> www.greatbasinpottery.com/
>
>
>
>
> On Mar 15, 2010, at 1:05 PM, James Freeman wrote:
>
>> Tony and Marcia...
>>
>> I never heard of ball milling just the colorants, but if that is a
>> useful thing to do then the tiny jar would certainly seem adequate.
>> There are lots of things I never heard of, so not a condemnation.
>>
>> Wouldn't you need to drastically slow your drive system to
>> accommodate the tiny jar? =3DA0Also, couldn't you just switch to nice,
>> fine cobalt carb instead of coarse cobalt oxide, or precipitated or
>> yellow iron oxide instead of milled hematite if particle size were an
>> issue?
>>
>> Tony, can you expand a bit on what the difference is in your celadon
>> glaze between milled and unmilled iron oxide? =3DA0Thanks.
>>
>> Six or seven years ago I read an article about the benefits of ball
>> milling glazes,
>> I believe on the Digital Fire website. =3DA0At the time I was using a co=
ne
>> 10 waxy matte. =3DA0When only mixed and not sieved, it was very
>> interesting. =3DA0When sieved, it was somewhat interesting. =3DA0When I =
ball
>> milled it, it came out like a coat of latex house paint.
>>
>> All the best.
>>
>> ...James
>>
>> James Freeman
>
>

Marcia Selsor on mon 15 mar 10


THEY ALSO HAVE SEVERAL BALL MILLS FOR SALE. AT LEAST ONE IS STUDIO =3D
SIZE.
sorry for caps.
Mills jars are $35 each. I think they are less than a gallon.
Hi Marcia,
I have several of the 000 jars (.1 gallon) Many are =3D93like new=3D94. =
=3D
They are priced at $35.00 each.
Regards,
=3D20
Tom Suhy
Detroit Process Machinery, Inc.
1404 South Gratiot Ave, Unit B
Mount Clemens, Michigan 48043 USA
Tel. (586) 469-0323 Fax. (586) 469-3393
http://www.detroitprocessmachinery.com
http://www.stokespressparts.com
sales@detroitprocessmachinery.com
Marcia Selsor
http://www.marciaselsor.com

Ken Nowicki on mon 15 mar 10


Marci, (or anyone else who'd like to weigh-in)

In your opinion, do you think these are large enough for studio use? They
seem kind of small to me. Just curious.

- Ken

Ken Nowicki
Port Washington, New York
KenJNowicki@gmail.com
Potters Council Charter Member


On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 8:37 AM, Marcia Selsor wrote:

> THEY ALSO HAVE SEVERAL BALL MILLS FOR SALE. AT LEAST ONE IS STUDIO
> SIZE.
> sorry for caps.
> Mills jars are $35 each. I think they are less than a gallon.
> Hi Marcia,
> I have several of the 000 jars (.1 gallon) Many are =3D93like new=3D94. =
The=3D
y are
> priced at $35.00 each.
> Regards,
>
> Tom Suhy
> Detroit Process Machinery, Inc.
> 1404 South Gratiot Ave, Unit B
> Mount Clemens, Michigan 48043 USA
> Tel. (586) 469-0323 Fax. (586) 469-3393
> http://www.detroitprocessmachinery.com
> http://www.stokespressparts.com
> sales@detroitprocessmachinery.com
> Marcia Selsor
> http://www.marciaselsor.com
>

James Freeman on mon 15 mar 10


Ken..

They hold a total of about 1 1/2 cups of material. Since you will
fill it about half full of balls, you will be able to mill maybe a cup
of so of glaze. Only you can decide if that is enough capacity for
you. Doesn't sound too useful to me. Just my opinion.

Take care.

...James

James Freeman

"All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I
should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed."
-Michel de Montaigne

http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesfreemanstudio/
http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com/clayart/




On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 11:01 AM, Ken Nowicki wrot=
=3D
e:
> Marci, (or anyone else who'd like to weigh-in)
>
> In your opinion, do you think these are large enough for studio use? They
> seem kind of small to me. Just curious.
>
> - Ken
>
> Ken Nowicki
> Port Washington, New York
> KenJNowicki@gmail.com
> Potters Council Charter Member
>
>
> On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 8:37 AM, Marcia Selsor wrote:
>
>> THEY ALSO HAVE SEVERAL BALL MILLS FOR SALE. AT LEAST ONE IS =3DA0 =3DA0 =
STUD=3D
IO
>> SIZE.
>> sorry for caps.
>> Mills jars are $35 each. I think they are less than a gallon.
>> Hi Marcia,
>> I have several of the 000 jars (.1 gallon) =3DA0Many are =3D93like new=
=3D94. =3D
=3DA0They are
>> priced at $35.00 each.
>> Regards,
>>
>> Tom Suhy
>> Detroit Process Machinery, Inc.
>> 1404 South Gratiot Ave, Unit B
>> Mount Clemens, Michigan 48043 =3DA0USA
>> Tel. (586) 469-0323 =3DA0Fax. (586) 469-3393
>> http://www.detroitprocessmachinery.com
>> http://www.stokespressparts.com
>> sales@detroitprocessmachinery.com
>> Marcia Selsor
>> http://www.marciaselsor.com
>>
>

Marcia Selsor on mon 15 mar 10


We use to use the smaller jars from grinding grainy colorants like =3D
cobalt. Weigh out the correct percentage and mix with a cup of the glaze =
=3D
base and grind up. I think they have their application.
Marcia
On Mar 15, 2010, at 2:10 PM, James Freeman wrote:

> Ken..
>=3D20
> They hold a total of about 1 1/2 cups of material. Since you will
> fill it about half full of balls, you will be able to mill maybe a cup
> of so of glaze. Only you can decide if that is enough capacity for
> you. Doesn't sound too useful to me. Just my opinion.
>=3D20
> Take care.
>=3D20
> ...James
>=3D20
> James Freeman
>=3D20
> "All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I
> should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed."
> -Michel de Montaigne
>=3D20
> http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesfreemanstudio/
> http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com/clayart/
>=3D20
>=3D20
>=3D20
>=3D20
> On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 11:01 AM, Ken Nowicki =
=3D
wrote:
>> Marci, (or anyone else who'd like to weigh-in)
>>=3D20
>> In your opinion, do you think these are large enough for studio use? =3D
They
>> seem kind of small to me. Just curious.
>>=3D20
>> - Ken
>>=3D20
>> Ken Nowicki
>> Port Washington, New York
>> KenJNowicki@gmail.com
>> Potters Council Charter Member
>>=3D20
>>=3D20
>> On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 8:37 AM, Marcia Selsor =3D
wrote:
>>=3D20
>>> THEY ALSO HAVE SEVERAL BALL MILLS FOR SALE. AT LEAST ONE IS =3D
STUDIO
>>> SIZE.
>>> sorry for caps.
>>> Mills jars are $35 each. I think they are less than a gallon.
>>> Hi Marcia,
>>> I have several of the 000 jars (.1 gallon) Many are =3D93like new=3D94=
. =3D
They are
>>> priced at $35.00 each.
>>> Regards,
>>>=3D20
>>> Tom Suhy
>>> Detroit Process Machinery, Inc.
>>> 1404 South Gratiot Ave, Unit B
>>> Mount Clemens, Michigan 48043 USA
>>> Tel. (586) 469-0323 Fax. (586) 469-3393
>>> http://www.detroitprocessmachinery.com
>>> http://www.stokespressparts.com
>>> sales@detroitprocessmachinery.com
>>> Marcia Selsor
>>> http://www.marciaselsor.com
>>>=3D20
>>=3D20
>=3D20

Marcia Selsor
http://www.marciaselsor.com

tony clennell on mon 15 mar 10


James: that depends! I find just ball milling the iron in a cup of
glaze for a celedon makes a HUGE difference. I just ball mill the
colourants so often a cup or so is adequate. You don't have to
necessarily ball mill the whole glaze. I read that by ball milling for
a long time you can lower the maturing temp of a glaze by a couple of
cones. Like an idiot I sold my ball mill. One of life's regrets.
Cheers,
Tony

On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 3:10 PM, James Freeman
wrote:
> Ken..
>
> They hold a total of about 1 1/2 cups of material. Since you will
> fill it about half full of balls, you will be able to mill maybe a cup
> of so of glaze. Only you can decide if that is enough capacity for
> you. Doesn't sound too useful to me. Just my opinion.
>
> Take care.
>
> ...James
>
> James Freeman
>
> "All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I
> should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed."
> -Michel de Montaigne
>
> http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesfreemanstudio/
> http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com/clayart/
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 11:01 AM, Ken Nowicki wr=
=3D
ote:
>> Marci, (or anyone else who'd like to weigh-in)
>>
>> In your opinion, do you think these are large enough for studio use? The=
=3D
y
>> seem kind of small to me. Just curious.
>>
>> - Ken
>>
>> Ken Nowicki
>> Port Washington, New York
>> KenJNowicki@gmail.com
>> Potters Council Charter Member
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 8:37 AM, Marcia Selsor wrote:
>>
>>> THEY ALSO HAVE SEVERAL BALL MILLS FOR SALE. AT LEAST ONE IS STUDIO
>>> SIZE.
>>> sorry for caps.
>>> Mills jars are $35 each. I think they are less than a gallon.
>>> Hi Marcia,
>>> I have several of the 000 jars (.1 gallon) Many are =3D93like new=3D94=
. T=3D
hey are
>>> priced at $35.00 each.
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> Tom Suhy
>>> Detroit Process Machinery, Inc.
>>> 1404 South Gratiot Ave, Unit B
>>> Mount Clemens, Michigan 48043 USA
>>> Tel. (586) 469-0323 Fax. (586) 469-3393
>>> http://www.detroitprocessmachinery.com
>>> http://www.stokespressparts.com
>>> sales@detroitprocessmachinery.com
>>> Marcia Selsor
>>> http://www.marciaselsor.com
>>>
>>
>



--=3D20
http://sourcherrypottery.com
http://smokieclennell.blogspot.com

James Freeman on mon 15 mar 10


Tony and Marcia...

I never heard of ball milling just the colorants, but if that is a
useful thing to do then the tiny jar would certainly seem adequate.
There are lots of things I never heard of, so not a condemnation.

Wouldn't you need to drastically slow your drive system to
accommodate the tiny jar? Also, couldn't you just switch to nice,
fine cobalt carb instead of coarse cobalt oxide, or precipitated or
yellow iron oxide instead of milled hematite if particle size were an
issue?

Tony, can you expand a bit on what the difference is in your celadon
glaze between milled and unmilled iron oxide? Thanks.

Six or seven years ago I read an article about the benefits of ball
milling glazes,
I believe on the Digital Fire website. At the time I was using a cone
10 waxy matte. When only mixed and not sieved, it was very
interesting. When sieved, it was somewhat interesting. When I ball
milled it, it came out like a coat of latex house paint.

All the best.

...James

James Freeman

"All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I
should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed."
-Michel de Montaigne

http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesfreemanstudio/
http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com/clayart/




On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 2:41 PM, tony clennell wr=
=3D
ote:
> James: that depends! I find just ball milling the iron in a cup of
> glaze for a celedon makes a HUGE difference. =3DA0I just ball mill the
> colourants so often a cup or so is adequate. You don't have to
> necessarily ball mill the whole glaze. I read that by ball milling for
> a long time you can lower the maturing temp of a glaze by a couple of
> cones. Like an idiot I sold my ball mill. One of life's regrets.

Marcia Selsor on mon 15 mar 10


Ball milling iron for a celedon reduces spots from the iron. I had a =3D
batch of=3D20
celedon that had those spots. Wished I'd had ballmilled that glaze becai
use the decoration of the pot was really nice. Hindsight is cheap as =3D
they say.
Marcia


On Mar 15, 2010, at 3:05 PM, James Freeman wrote:

> Tony and Marcia...
>=3D20
> I never heard of ball milling just the colorants, but if that is a
> useful thing to do then the tiny jar would certainly seem adequate.
> There are lots of things I never heard of, so not a condemnation.
>=3D20
> Wouldn't you need to drastically slow your drive system to
> accommodate the tiny jar? Also, couldn't you just switch to nice,
> fine cobalt carb instead of coarse cobalt oxide, or precipitated or
> yellow iron oxide instead of milled hematite if particle size were an
> issue?
>=3D20
> Tony, can you expand a bit on what the difference is in your celadon
> glaze between milled and unmilled iron oxide? Thanks.
>=3D20
> Six or seven years ago I read an article about the benefits of ball
> milling glazes,
> I believe on the Digital Fire website. At the time I was using a cone
> 10 waxy matte. When only mixed and not sieved, it was very
> interesting. When sieved, it was somewhat interesting. When I ball
> milled it, it came out like a coat of latex house paint.
>=3D20
> All the best.
>=3D20
> ...James
>=3D20
> James Freeman
>=3D20
> "All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I
> should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed."
> -Michel de Montaigne
>=3D20
> http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesfreemanstudio/
> http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com/clayart/
>=3D20
>=3D20
>=3D20
>=3D20
> On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 2:41 PM, tony clennell =3D
wrote:
>> James: that depends! I find just ball milling the iron in a cup of
>> glaze for a celedon makes a HUGE difference. I just ball mill the
>> colourants so often a cup or so is adequate. You don't have to
>> necessarily ball mill the whole glaze. I read that by ball milling =3D
for
>> a long time you can lower the maturing temp of a glaze by a couple of
>> cones. Like an idiot I sold my ball mill. One of life's regrets.
>=3D20

Marcia Selsor
http://www.marciaselsor.com

Paul Herman on mon 15 mar 10


Hi James,

I'm jumping in here because I use a ball mill for dispersion of
pigments with several of my glazes. All my milling is with water,
enough to make a medium thick slip. All these glazes are milled whole,
not just the pigments.

There's a gas fired copper red which will have little white bits of
tin oxide showing if not ball milled.

The regular celadon would have dark iron spots from red iron oxide
unless ball milled. Even after screening through 80 mesh there are
still dark specks.

Craig's blue celadon (from Craig Edwards) uses 1.5% black iron oxide,
which spots badly if not milled. My variety of Craig's also has raw
ash which is only screened to 16 mesh. I screen my ash dry to only 16
mesh, because all my glazes containing ash are ball milled.

I used to use the ball mill for a cobalt glaze, but lately have been
getting my blues from iron. Cobalt has become too harsh for my
sensibilities (mostly.)

Fifteen to thirty minutes are usually plenty for dispersion of
pigments or ash. When I grind feldspar from sand to -100M it takes six
hours.

Good milling to you,

Paul Herman

Great Basin Pottery
Doyle, California US
www.greatbasinpottery.com/




On Mar 15, 2010, at 1:05 PM, James Freeman wrote:

> Tony and Marcia...
>
> I never heard of ball milling just the colorants, but if that is a
> useful thing to do then the tiny jar would certainly seem adequate.
> There are lots of things I never heard of, so not a condemnation.
>
> Wouldn't you need to drastically slow your drive system to
> accommodate the tiny jar? Also, couldn't you just switch to nice,
> fine cobalt carb instead of coarse cobalt oxide, or precipitated or
> yellow iron oxide instead of milled hematite if particle size were an
> issue?
>
> Tony, can you expand a bit on what the difference is in your celadon
> glaze between milled and unmilled iron oxide? Thanks.
>
> Six or seven years ago I read an article about the benefits of ball
> milling glazes,
> I believe on the Digital Fire website. At the time I was using a cone
> 10 waxy matte. When only mixed and not sieved, it was very
> interesting. When sieved, it was somewhat interesting. When I ball
> milled it, it came out like a coat of latex house paint.
>
> All the best.
>
> ...James
>
> James Freeman