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differences in building techniques/cracking?

updated thu 16 sep 04

 

Kate Johnson on tue 14 sep 04


Hi list...

I'm curious if my chosen technique, handbuilding, is less prone to cracking
in platters, plates, pie pans and such than thrown pieces? So far, no
problems at all, there.

I did have the large bowl I made in a press mold warp somewhat in firing, so
the upper edge was wavy. I'm wondering if I handled it too much before it
was fully dry--I did slip it out of the bowl I was using as a mold when it
was just less than leather hard.

Regards,
Kate Johnson
Graphics/Fine Arts
http://www.cathyjohnson.info/
http://www.epsi.net/graphic/

Snail Scott on wed 15 sep 04


At 09:33 AM 9/14/2004 -0500, Kate J wrote:
>I'm curious if my chosen technique, handbuilding, is less prone to cracking
>in platters, plates, pie pans and such than thrown pieces?


In general, I'd say the opposite, since thrown clay
tends to end up more compressed and with highly
aligned particles, in more perfectly symmetrical
forms. The reason that handbuilt work often seems
to warp and crack less is that it's nearly always
made thicker than wheelthrown versions of the same
forms.

It's not inherent in the process - handbuilt stuff
can be as thin, or thinner than thrown stuff if the
maker desires. It's just very common for handbuilt
work to be made thicker. I don't kow it yours is,
but that could be a factor.

-Snail Scott

Kate Johnson on wed 15 sep 04


> At 09:33 AM 9/14/2004 -0500, Kate J wrote:
>>I'm curious if my chosen technique, handbuilding, is less prone to
>>cracking
>>in platters, plates, pie pans and such than thrown pieces?
>
>
> In general, I'd say the opposite, since thrown clay
> tends to end up more compressed and with highly
> aligned particles, in more perfectly symmetrical
> forms.

Yes, CERTAINLY more symmetrical, and I can understand what you're saying
with the rest, too...

The reason that handbuilt work often seems
> to warp and crack less is that it's nearly always
> made thicker than wheelthrown versions of the same
> forms.

My bowl that warped along the rim was one of my thicker pieces...I think it
was just handling it too soon that may have contributed to the problem. I
smooshed it back into shape, but small errors in leather hard sometimes
magnify in firing...

> It's not inherent in the process - handbuilt stuff
> can be as thin, or thinner than thrown stuff if the
> maker desires. It's just very common for handbuilt
> work to be made thicker. I don't kow it yours is,
> but that could be a factor.

Some of mine is rather thin, some is thicker...so far no cracks, just the
warping problem...thanks! I'll keep an eye on this...

Best--
Kate