search  current discussion  categories  forms - misc 

warped tiles and rims on bowls

updated wed 13 dec 00

 

Jean Todd on mon 11 dec 00


I think you have solved my bowl problem. I make a nice bowl, then
flatten the rim but as it dries the rim turns upward a bit like it
was before I flattened it. So if I make the bowl with the rim flat to
start with, as I draw it up keep the rim flat I should end up with a
nice flat rim?????


> BINGO! There's the problem right there. Clay has a property called
> plastic memory. If you bend it when it's wet, it will bend back like
> that as it dries and as it fires, no matter how you flatten it out, no
> matter how you dry it.
> Good luck,
> Paul Lewing, Seattle
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> ________ Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.


Jean from Cowra, NSW
"Lang may your lum reek"
mallyree@ix.net.au

Norman van der Sluys on tue 12 dec 00


Another thing that helps is to turn your bowls over onto their rims when
they have dried enough to take the weight. Helps the bottoms to catch up to
the rims, too.

>
>
>I think you have solved my bowl problem. I make a nice bowl, then
>flatten the rim but as it dries the rim turns upward a bit like it
>was before I flattened it. So if I make the bowl with the rim flat to
>start with, as I draw it up keep the rim flat I should end up with a
>nice flat rim?????
>
______________________________________________________________________




Norm van der Sluys
By the shore of Lake Michigan, enjoying the first blizard of the season.
There will be no traffic on my road this morning!

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com

Cindy Strnad on tue 12 dec 00


>I think you have solved my bowl problem. I make a nice bowl, then
>flatten the rim but as it dries the rim turns upward a bit like it
>was before I flattened it. So if I make the bowl with the rim flat to
>start with, as I draw it up keep the rim flat I should end up with a
>nice flat rim?????

If you want flat rims on bowls or plates, you must pull them flat. Merely
laying the rim down doesn't work well. You can use a combination of laying
the rim down and pulling it out, but it is important to do at least one
horizontal *pull*.

Look at the piece in profile. The underside of the rim must slant upward
enough to prevent later slumping (in the kiln). The upper profile of the rim
can be horizontal or nearly so only as long as the underside is shaped to
support it. This means a bit of unevenness in wall thickness, but not much.
Obviously, the wider the rim, the more support it will require.

Also, you will need to insure that the rims dry evenly. Uneven drying will
cause parts of the rim to pull up, giving you a wavy edge you probably
didn't want.


Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
earthenv@gwtc.net
http://www.earthenvesselssd.com