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clay slab drying and thank you

updated thu 14 nov 02

 

Carol Ross on tue 12 nov 02


Dawn, I need to know how thick the slabs are. Are you drying them
completely, in order to fire them - or do you want them leather hard so that
you can cut & build with them? How many slabs will you be doing at once?

It's important that the slabs dry slowly to prevent warping & cracking... I
think if you give us a little more information, we'll be able to give you
some advice!

Carol



> Hi
> First I need to acknowledge how wonderful this list has been in
> sharing and giving of information. I have lots of questions and can't wait
> to go home and read my e-mails. I only hope someday I will have something to
> share that will be of interest to someone else.
> Currently I need some advice on drying clay slabs 18x18 inches. I
> have a short time frame. I am also looking to draw with pastels on some of
> these slabs. Any advice or direction would be appreciated. Dawn
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
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> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
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> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
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Dawn Christensen on tue 12 nov 02


Hi
First I need to acknowledge how wonderful this list has been in
sharing and giving of information. I have lots of questions and can't wait
to go home and read my e-mails. I only hope someday I will have something to
share that will be of interest to someone else.
Currently I need some advice on drying clay slabs 18x18 inches. I
have a short time frame. I am also looking to draw with pastels on some of
these slabs. Any advice or direction would be appreciated. Dawn

Leland G. Hall on wed 13 nov 02


Hi Dawn. I dry slabs this size and larger between two pieces of sheetrock
wallboard. This ensures even drying and help minamize warpage. I have to
dry them SLOWLY however, or there is usually trouble. I don't know of
anyway to speed this up safely. Good luck. By the way, I'd be curious to
know how you fire these. I still have trouble with cracking sometimes.
Best regards
Leland Hall
Before The Wheel Enterprises
La Pine, Oregon, USA

On Tue, 12 Nov 2002 22:10:02 EST, Dawn Christensen
wrote:

>Hi
> First I need to acknowledge how wonderful this list has been in
>sharing and giving of information. I have lots of questions and can't wait
>to go home and read my e-mails. I only hope someday I will have something
to
>share that will be of interest to someone else.
> Currently I need some advice on drying clay slabs 18x18 inches. I
>have a short time frame. I am also looking to draw with pastels on some of
>these slabs. Any advice or direction would be appreciated. Dawn
>
>___________________________________________________________________________
___
>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.

Snail Scott on wed 13 nov 02


At 11:11 PM 11/12/02 -0600, you wrote:
>...Currently I need some advice on drying clay slabs 18x18 inches...


Wrap the edges in plastic, so they think they're
in the middle, too. Much less stress. I'd rather
dry them between wallboard, but if you're in a
hurry, just edge-wrap them and turn them over,
OFTEN.

-Snail

Dawn Christensen on wed 13 nov 02


Hi Carol and list
The slabs I am making are about 1/3 to 1/4 of an inch thick. I will
be making 16 18 x 18 inch squares to put together as a 3 ft square piece. I
will be firing them to bisque, smoking and then paint / pastel / drawing on
them. I have a three week time frame. It has been suggested that I put
plastic bags around the edges so the slabs dry from the inside out with a
plastic sheet over that and then forget the damp cabinet and dry on tables.
I am making 16 hoping to get 12. Any suggestions you have would really be
appreciated. Thanks, Dawn

KLeSueur@AOL.COM on wed 13 nov 02


A large tilemaker I know dries tiles between sheets of drywall. I would think that your slabs would benefit from the same treatment.

Kathi LeSueur