Randy McCall on sun 24 dec 06
Lois I have the 14" plate mold where you through the bottom. I started with
about 6lbs of clay and compressed with a bamboo tool that I made that is
curved. During the compressing part I removed two lbs of clay and the plate
looks to be about 1/4 inch thick.
I really liked the way the clay when on the mold, but I hope I can resolve
the problem of it releasing. Thanks for the telephone number.
The weather has been raining here so it is slow drying.
No instructions came with the bats or mold.
Randy
South Carolina
Pottery Web site
http://members.tripod.com/~McCallJ/index.html
Randy McCall on sun 24 dec 06
If there is anyone out there using hydro-bat plate molds I would appreciate
their comments.
I made a plate on a 14" plate mold but it doesn't seem to want to release
after about 4 days of drying. Other clay on the mold that I pulled off has
a white scum on it and it did not release easily.
Suggestions or what did I do wrong?
Randy
South Carolina
Pottery Web site
http://members.tripod.com/~McCallJ/index.html
John Rodgers on sun 24 dec 06
Randy,
I have never used hydro-bats but I do make a lot of plates using molds.
on my wheel. I have never found any material for mold bats that worked
as well as USG #1 pottery plaster. Harder than plaster of paris, softer
that hydrocal, ceramical, or ultracal, the #1 pottery plaster is solid,
but has good porosity, meaning that it remove the water from the clay
very well. This is key to getting a good release from the bat. If the
bat is dry when I start, the plate will release itself from the mold
within a couple of hours and can be turned over and removed from the
bat. It will still be soft, but dry enough to hold it's form until drys
to leather hard for handling.
I may be wrong, but I don't think hydrobats are made from #1 pottery
plaster. If it is the case, the moisture can only escape through the
surface of the clay not against the mold. This can take quite a while.
Perhaps that is what is happening.
Regards,
John Rodgers
Chelsea, AL
Randy McCall wrote:
> If there is anyone out there using hydro-bat plate molds I would appreciate
> their comments.
>
> I made a plate on a 14" plate mold but it doesn't seem to want to release
> after about 4 days of drying. Other clay on the mold that I pulled off has
> a white scum on it and it did not release easily.
>
> Suggestions or what did I do wrong?
>
>
> Randy
> South Carolina
> Pottery Web site
>
> http://members.tripod.com/~McCallJ/index.html
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> 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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>
>
>
Lois Ruben Aronow on sun 24 dec 06
I'm glad you posted this, as I am considering buying some (and having some
custom made for me) and I wondered how they were.
Hydrobats, as John noted, are not pottery plaster, but HydroStone. It is
actually a gypsum cement, rather than a plaster. I have been using
Hydrobats for years - since they first came out - and love them. Couldn't
live without them. My ware has always released very easily and they are
very durable.
As to why the plates aren't releasing, I can't tell you why, but I may I can
offer some clues. Because the entire surface of the bat is covered with
clay, I would suspect there would be some differences in your usual drying
time. And unlike a foot or plate bottom, you wouldn't be able to give it a
little twist without distorting the form. It would have to freely release
itself. You might try spraying an eensy bit of mold release before
throwing. I doubt with would make it slippery. You could also give the
Hydrobat guys a call. I think they are affiliated with the Ceramics Shop in
Philadelphia
(215) 427-9665.
Just for my own curiosity, are you using a template or throwing the plate
bottom?
Happy hols...Lo
Lois Ruben Aronow Ceramics
232 Third Street - # B202A
Brooklyn, NY 11215
p: 917..561..2854
f: 718..246.0819
www.loisaronow.com
Marek & Pauline Drzazga-Donaldson on sun 24 dec 06
Dear John,
I seldom use plaster in the Studio, but when I do I coat the plaster =
with PVA (wood glue) mixed with water, applying about 12 coats (I don't =
wait for it to dry between coats) and then when I press the clay =
over/into the mould, which is oiled occasionally, I can get it out =
immediately. I use the plaster as a method of getting a form, and not as =
an absorber of water. I know that what you have to do is to work out a =
variety of methods of keeping the shape, but this has never posed me a =
problem, so you can use the mould as many times as you want throughout =
the day, without worrying that it gets too wet. So instead of 4 or 5 =
pressings you can get well over a 60 - so much easier than the old =
method.
Happy potting Marek
Hand made Architectural Ceramics from No9 Studio UK www.no9uk.com
Fully Residential Pottery Courses and more at Mole Cottage =
www.moleys.com
"Tips and Time Travel from a Vernacular Potter" reviews on =
www.keramix.com
an irreverent point of view after 35 years in the game Marek =
Drzazga-Donaldson =20
Assemble a dragon finial at www.dragonfinials.co.uk
Free Works and Mole Cottage DVD's and Video content on all the sites
Lois Ruben Aronow on mon 25 dec 06
I'm just sort of guessing what I would do...I'm definitely not a
read-the-instructions kind of gal.
I'm considering having some bottom templates made and jiggering, but then
again, I'm in dinnerware production at the moment. I would also consider
rolling out slabs, placing them on the molds, wetting and shaping the
bottoms. You might have an easier time releasing them if the clay on the
mold-side wasn't quite so wet.
What I WOULDN'T do is turn them upside down (which is really right way up).
Those bats are heavy and would distort your form. Unless you are planning
on altering, that would be bad.
Please let us know what the HydroBat people tell you. I have had many
dealings with them and find them to be most helpful.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of
> Randy McCall
> Sent: Sunday, December 24, 2006 10:43 PM
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Re: Hydro-Bat plate mold?
>
> Lois I have the 14" plate mold where you through the bottom.
> I started with about 6lbs of clay and compressed with a
> bamboo tool that I made that is curved. During the
> compressing part I removed two lbs of clay and the plate
> looks to be about 1/4 inch thick.
>
> I really liked the way the clay when on the mold, but I hope
> I can resolve the problem of it releasing. Thanks for the
> telephone number.
>
> The weather has been raining here so it is slow drying.
>
> No instructions came with the bats or mold.
>
>
> Randy
> South Carolina
> Pottery Web site
>
> http://members.tripod.com/~McCallJ/index.html
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> ________________
> 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.
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