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highwater moon white

updated fri 9 mar 12

 

David Woof on mon 5 mar 12


Hi Robert=3D2C

You are right to be concerned=3D2C not only for the problems associated wit=
h =3D
dishwashers or sink soakings=3D2C but the morning after the night before "w=
et=3D
foot" on the fine finished table surface as well. Doesn't make for repeat =
=3D
sales. Do you see possible glaze fit problems rearing it's curious head as=
=3D
well?? Post firing absorbed water can cause delayed glaze shivering=3D3B=
i=3D
e. glass slivers in the food and drink!!!
=3D20
This clay sounds like the WSO we get out here.
It stands up great for Big stuff and raku but leaks anywhere under cone 12.=
=3D
When I've used it to make large jar forms or anything that even remotely a=
=3D
ppears that it could or should hold water I've put a nice clean 3/4 inch ho=
=3D
le in the botton for drainage and presented it as a sculptural garden form.

I won't put out anything destined for the Table unless it tests at 1.5% or =
=3D
less absorbtion and I do my own testing. I play for keeps and the long haul=
=3D
with my customers and my ethics. Makes for restful sleep. Your expressed c=
=3D
oncern says for you likewise.
=3D20
Best=3D2C
=3D20
David Woof
_________________________________________________
13. Highwater Moon White
Posted by: "Robert Harris" robertgharris@GMAIL.COM=3D20
Date: Mon Mar 5=3D2C 2012 3:54 pm ((PST))

I have recently been playing around with Moon White=3D2C a cone 10
stoneware from Highwater Clays. It is a very white clay=3D2C and with 10%
Kyanite it is excellent for throwing larger forms.

However I have just been back to their website and it says that that
there is 2.7% absorption at Cone 10. Which sounds horrifically
underfired - or perhaps that is a function of the Kyanite.

Has anyone used Moon White=3D2C or care to comment on the high absorption
(possible problems). I'm a functional potter=3D2C so I definitely want to
be able to stick stuff in the dishwasher!

Robert =3D

Robert Harris on mon 5 mar 12


I have recently been playing around with Moon White, a cone 10
stoneware from Highwater Clays. It is a very white clay, and with 10%
Kyanite it is excellent for throwing larger forms.

However I have just been back to their website and it says that that
there is 2.7% absorption at Cone 10. Which sounds horrifically
underfired - or perhaps that is a function of the Kyanite.

Has anyone used Moon White, or care to comment on the high absorption
(possible problems). I'm a functional potter, so I definitely want to
be able to stick stuff in the dishwasher!

Robert
--
----------------------------------------------------------

Robert Harris on tue 6 mar 12


Thanks for the reply. My apologies for a bit of hyperbole calling it
horrifically underfired!

While I definitely agree that I should test any clay for absorbency, I
am not sure if it is worth pursuing Moon White, considering Ingeborg's
report of problems.

I do like the added kyanite however, since it makes wide low bowls a
real delight to throw. Is the kyanite responsible for the high
absorbancy at Cone 10? Do you have a qick a dirty paragraph on the
properties of Kyanite. I can't seem to find anything worthwhile on the
web.

To come clean, I have been using Highwater Phoenix for the last couple
of years, but after throwing a few tonnes of it, I have decided that I
would like to find a better body. My biggest problems with Phoenix is
that for tall thin forms -- I have been throwing 12" oil bottles that
more or less resemble wine bottles, and 14" x 5" (wet) pasta jars --
the bottom slumps pretty badly, even when using torches etc etc. Sure
I can make the bottom 1/3 thick, and turn it away, but that sort of
offends me on some deep level!

I'd really like to use a porcellanous body, since I've developed some
nice translucent glazes that would probably look fabulous with a
translucent body underneath (sure I'd have to fiddle with the recipe
to adjust for expansion differences, but I'll have to do that with any
new body). However going to a true porcelain is unlikely to solve my
height problems, unless I can wedge something in to hold it up.

Have you (or anyone else on the list) got any suggestions?
I live in N. Florida, which means that Axner and Highwater clays are
my nearest suppliers, although I suppose most East coast suppliers are
going to be OK in terms of freight.

Since my studio has just has a major spring cleaning I'm willing to
spend the time testing a number of bodies.

Many thanks for all the help!

Robert


On Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 1:10 PM, wrote:
> Hi Robert,
>
> Thats not horrifically underfired but you would be better off between 1 a=
nd
> 2%
>
> Easy enough to test for - make some cylinders and fire them unglazed - fi=
ll
> em with water and leave them on paper overnight - you will see if they le=
ak.
>
> You can get more body vitrification by firing slower towards the end of a
> firing by the way - worth doing a few tests to see if that will help.
>
> You will also probably find that the absorption will vary from batch to
> batch so some may have more absorption and some less.
>
> If you want to know how I test for absorption let me know and I'll send
> instructions.
>
> What ever clay you choose - you will need to check absorption - especiall=
y
> from companies that don't test every batch - if they don't know what is
> happening they won't be adjusting either.
>
> RR
>
>
>
> Quoting Robert Harris :
>
>> I have recently been playing around with Moon White, a cone 10
>> stoneware from Highwater Clays. It is a very white clay, and with 10%
>> Kyanite it is excellent for throwing larger forms.
>>
>> However I have just been back to their website and it says that that
>> there is 2.7% absorption at Cone 10. Which sounds horrifically
>> underfired - or perhaps that is a function of the Kyanite.
>>
>> Has anyone used Moon White, or care to comment on the high absorption
>> (possible problems). I'm a functional potter, so I definitely want to
>> be able to stick stuff in the dishwasher!
>>
>> Robert
>> --
>> ----------------------------------------------------------
>>
>
>
>



--
----------------------------------------------------------

ronroy@CA.INTER.NET on tue 6 mar 12


Hi Robert,

Thats not horrifically underfired but you would be better off between 1 and=
2%

Easy enough to test for - make some cylinders and fire them unglazed -
fill em with water and leave them on paper overnight - you will see if
they leak.

You can get more body vitrification by firing slower towards the end
of a firing by the way - worth doing a few tests to see if that will
help.

You will also probably find that the absorption will vary from batch
to batch so some may have more absorption and some less.

If you want to know how I test for absorption let me know and I'll
send instructions.

What ever clay you choose - you will need to check absorption -
especially from companies that don't test every batch - if they don't
know what is happening they won't be adjusting either.

RR


Quoting Robert Harris :

> I have recently been playing around with Moon White, a cone 10
> stoneware from Highwater Clays. It is a very white clay, and with 10%
> Kyanite it is excellent for throwing larger forms.
>
> However I have just been back to their website and it says that that
> there is 2.7% absorption at Cone 10. Which sounds horrifically
> underfired - or perhaps that is a function of the Kyanite.
>
> Has anyone used Moon White, or care to comment on the high absorption
> (possible problems). I'm a functional potter, so I definitely want to
> be able to stick stuff in the dishwasher!
>
> Robert
> --
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>

David Woof on tue 6 mar 12


Oops. apologies=3D2C I said Shivering when I meant Crazing. When water rehy=
dr=3D
ates fired clay the body increases in size so the problem is crazing (glaze=
=3D
too small for clay) - not shivering.=3D20
No excuses offered.=3D20
A wise person mailed off list to point out my error.=3D20
=3D20
This is the professional courtesy that has kept Clayart strong and friendsh=
=3D
ips long lasting and the colleague spirit alive.=3D20
I trust and appreciate...
=3D20
Thanks David Woof.....woofed up a bad one=3D2C pass the crow!!!
_________________________________________________________________=3D20
=3D20
Hi Robert=3D2C You are right to be concerned=3D2C not only for the problems=
ass=3D
ociated with dishwashers or sink soakings=3D2C but the morning after the ni=
gh=3D
t before "wet foot" on the fine finished table surface as well. Doesn't mak=
=3D
e for repeat sales. Do you see possible glaze fit problems rearing it's cur=
=3D
ious head as well?? Post firing absorbed water can cause delayed glaze shiv=
=3D
ering=3D3B ie. glass slivers in the food and drink!!! This clay sounds like=
t=3D
he WSO we get out here.It stands up great for Big stuff and raku but leaks =
=3D
anywhere under cone 12. When I've used it to make large jar forms or anythi=
=3D
ng that even remotely appears that it could or should hold water I've put a=
=3D
nice clean 3/4 inch hole in the botton for drainage and presented it as a =
=3D
sculptural garden form. I won't put out anything destined for the Table unl=
=3D
ess it tests at 1.5% or less absorbtion and I do my own testing. I play for=
=3D
keeps and the long haul with my customers and my ethics. Makes for restful=
=3D
sleep. Your expressed concern says for you likewise. Best=3D2C David Woof_=
__=3D
______________________________________________13. Highwater Moon WhitePoste=
=3D
d by: "Robert Harris" robertgharris@GMAIL.COM Date: Mon Mar 5=3D2C 2012 3:5=
4 =3D
pm ((PST)) I have recently been playing around with Moon White=3D2C a cone =
10=3D
stoneware from Highwater Clays. It is a very white clay=3D2C and with 10%Ky=
an=3D
ite it is excellent for throwing larger forms. However I have just been bac=
=3D
k to their website and it says that thatthere is 2.7% absorption at Cone 10=
=3D
. Which sounds horrificallyunderfired - or perhaps that is a function of th=
=3D
e Kyanite. Has anyone used Moon White=3D2C or care to comment on the high a=
bs=3D
orption(possible problems). I'm a functional potter=3D2C so I definitely wa=
nt=3D
tobe able to stick stuff in the dishwasher! Robert =
=3D

Robert Santerre on thu 8 mar 12


Hi Robert,

I've been using Moonwhite for some 20 years now. Make lots of functional
pots (plates, bowls, mugs, etc.). Put these in the microwave (and
dishwasher) all the time ... never had a problem with handles heating
excessively. Never had a customer come back with a complaint about
microwave or dishwasher use. I fire with reduction to cone 9.5 - 10 in a
gas kiln. My absorption tests yield 1.5 - 2.0 % absorption consistently.
In my hands this clay is well vitrified at cone 10.

The one precaution I would offer is that this is a very "tight" claybody.
Prone to cracking if pot bottoms are not well compressed or if you try to
"hurry" the drying process.

All the work on our website is Moonwhite clay.

Bob

Bob & Ginny Santerre
Arrowsic Island Pottery
344 Old Stage Road
Arrowsic, ME 04530
(207) 443-5858
aipots@gwi.net
www.arrowsicislandpottery.com

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////=
/
//////////////

-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Robert Harris
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2012 5:59 PM
To: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Highwater Moon White

I have recently been playing around with Moon White, a cone 10 stoneware
from Highwater Clays. It is a very white clay, and with 10% Kyanite it is
excellent for throwing larger forms.

However I have just been back to their website and it says that that there
is 2.7% absorption at Cone 10. Which sounds horrifically underfired - or
perhaps that is a function of the Kyanite.

Has anyone used Moon White, or care to comment on the high absorption
(possible problems). I'm a functional potter, so I definitely want to be
able to stick stuff in the dishwasher!

Robert
--
----------------------------------------------------------