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once-fire stacking question

updated tue 31 oct 06

 

Alyssa Ettinger on sat 28 oct 06


here's a conundrum i know you'll solve!

i make these coasters that are selling like hotcakes. pancakes. well, um,
coasters. and one of the styles is unglazed porcelain. and because they're
porcelain i can't fire them in stacks because they often fuse and stick and
crack.

i more often than not once-fire these, but have also done them after they're
bisqued.

i know there has to be a way to do this without loss, is there?

Wayne Seidl on sun 29 oct 06


Alyssa:
Since you mention that they are unglazed, you might try sprinkling them with
alumina and then stacking them. If your porcelain doesn't deform too badly
when fired to temp, I think you'll find you have a solution. Try just one
or two in the first firing though.

Best,
Wayne Seidl

-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Alyssa Ettinger
Sent: Saturday, October 28, 2006 7:01 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: once-fire stacking question

here's a conundrum i know you'll solve!

i make these coasters that are selling like hotcakes. pancakes. well, um,
coasters. and one of the styles is unglazed porcelain. and because they're
porcelain i can't fire them in stacks because they often fuse and stick and
crack.

i more often than not once-fire these, but have also done them after they're
bisqued.

i know there has to be a way to do this without loss, is there?

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Overall's on sun 29 oct 06


as they are unglazed,
would it be possible to sprinkle them with alumina
hydrate or brush with wax that has alumina hydrate in
it? I don't know, just thinking.

Kim in Houston
http://www.houstonpotters.com
--- Alyssa Ettinger wrote:

> here's a conundrum i know you'll solve!
>
> i make these coasters that are selling like
> hotcakes. pancakes. well, um,
> coasters. and one of the styles is unglazed
> porcelain. and because they're
> porcelain i can't fire them in stacks because they
> often fuse and stick and
> crack.
>
> i more often than not once-fire these, but have also
> done them after they're
> bisqued.
>
> i know there has to be a way to do this without
> loss, is there?
>
>
______________________________________________________________________________
> 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.
>


Kim Overall
http://www.houstonpotters.com

Alyssa Ettinger on mon 30 oct 06


i'm liking the alumina hydrate wax thing (if only because if i started
sprinkling stuff on stuff firing in our kiln i think my studio-mates might
have a coronary.

can anyone give me a ratio? wax resist/alumina?



alyssa
www.alyssaettinger.com

Michael Wendt on mon 30 oct 06


alyssa,
for your application,
if you simply wax one
side of the coaster and
have a small dab of
alumina on a smooth
surface, enough will
stick to the wax when
you press the coaster
into the dab to assure
good separation without
mixing alumina into the
wax.
Unless you have a way
to keep it suspended, it
settles very quickly.
Also, you might accidentally
use it instead of plain resist
when doing some types of
decoration and ruin work.
Regards,
Michael Wendt
Wendt Pottery
2729 Clearwater Ave
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
USA
wendtpot@lewiston.com
www.wendtpottery.com

Bunny Lemak on mon 30 oct 06


>
>> here's a conundrum i know you'll solve!
>>
>> i make these coasters that are selling like
>> hotcakes. pancakes. well, um,
>> coasters. and one of the styles is unglazed
>> porcelain. and because they're
>> porcelain i can't fire them in stacks because they
>> often fuse and stick and
>> crack.
>>
>> i more often than not once-fire these, but have also
>> done them after they're
>> bisqued.
>>
>> i know there has to be a way to do this without
>> loss, is there?
>>

Tile makers stand their tiles up in a holder when firing. I have several
stands for firing such things like tiles, coasters etc. They also come in
a box type stand, so that you can load them, then place them int the
kiln. Yes it takes up some room in the kiln, but you get the job done.

Also you can use the porcelian sand - which I personally don't care for
because the sand "flys" through the kiln when firing, this will also ruin
your elements quicker.

I'm sure you can find everything at the same place you buy your stilts.

Bunny
>>
>__________________________________________________________________________
____
>>>
>__________________________________________________________________________
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>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/
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>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
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Overall's on mon 30 oct 06


that's a great tip to know
thanks Michael
Kim
--- Michael Wendt wrote:

> alyssa,
> for your application,
> if you simply wax one
> side of the coaster and
> have a small dab of
> alumina on a smooth
> surface, enough will
> stick to the wax when
> you press the coaster
> into the dab to assure
> good separation without
> mixing alumina into the
> wax.
> Unless you have a way
> to keep it suspended, it
> settles very quickly.
> Also, you might accidentally
> use it instead of plain resist
> when doing some types of
> decoration and ruin work.
> Regards,
> Michael Wendt
> Wendt Pottery
> 2729 Clearwater Ave
> Lewiston, Idaho 83501
> USA
> wendtpot@lewiston.com
> www.wendtpottery.com
>
>
______________________________________________________________________________
> 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.
>


Kim Overall
http://www.houstonpotters.com