Roberta12

Isn't that what the L&L book says???

I just talked to Stoneleaf. Tin ox is $108/pound. Guess I will stick with Zircopax. They do have Gerstley. $224/50# I think I will get that. It will last me a long time.

I have found myself leaning towards recipes with Zircopax. I am calling right this moment to see what the price for Tin ox is at the supply house. I think it is $100/pound. I went through my recipes the other day. Most of my new test glazes for white have zircopax.

I have a full shelf on the bottom, but use half shelves after that. I fire a lot of plates and platters, I have had no problems spanning the half shelves. I appreciate the flexibility with the half shelves. As well as being able to easily heft them into the kiln. I use kiln washed cookies for my porcelain.

Well Pres, that sounds slick! I think I need a visual!

I wonder if it was because it was porcelain that I had the issue. less porous and absorptive. I may have to revisit this situation.

@Helena1 I had the same thing happen a few years ago. I use a lot of underglaze on my pots, and thought I would simplify my life by underglazing the interior of cups, bisque firing, then dipping the entire pot in clear. I would get the color on the interior without 2 glazes (interior, exterior) the Turquoise Amaco underglaze shivered off the lip of the mug on several pieces. As did the Chartreuse. I tried to problem solve this, to no avail. I gave up. When I am using underglaze in designs, it does not shiver. It was only on the rim of those mugs. I fired to cone 6, bisque 04, it was a Laguna porcelain. I hope you can find answers. I should try it again. I am using a different porcelain now and firing to 5.5. Who knows? Roberta

@HenryBurlingame I live in Colorado and all I have are accolades for Rob Battey. He has been my "phone" support for 11 years. When I call or email with panicked questions, he is there and walks me through everything. I have 1000 firings on my L&L e23t. It is a great piece of equipment. A friend of mine has a Cone Art. Again, a great piece of equipment. As far as I am concerned, the only drawback with a cone art kiln would be the extra element in the bottom. It's another element to replace. Roberta

this is cool! I had not heard of spangles before. Florian explains nicely.

@neilestricke23T cone 5.5, Slow glaze slow bisque Yes, we have a meter. I have not measured. Glaze firings, 15 minutes.

I have elements and TCs on hand, but I have held off changing them. You can see why from the photo. As expensive as elements are, I have hesitated. The reason they have different firings on them is because there was an issue with the top element. I had glaze on it and it burned out. So I changed just those 2 top elements. The top 2 elements have 73 firings, the bottom elements have 62 The kiln is still running, bisque firings are not extended, glaze firings are a little longer. What would you all do? Change them all out? I can't seem to flip the photo. Sorry.

@Biglou13I started seriously making sourdough bread 6 weeks ago. Sooooo much fun. I took a class and learned what I had been doing wrong! I use cast iron skillets, aka dutch oven. I would recommend that as well.

I have friends who RAVE about the Soolla bags.

@Bam2015One technique that has helped me is to lightly rub a finger over the underglazed areas, after you have brushed/dipped/sprayed your satin or glossy glaze. I think it is to smooth it out and make sure the glaze covers the ug.

Magic water. That is how I was trained. But I think I may try @Min idea of magic water with slip for my porcelain handles.

@BeccapLovely glaze! cone 5/6? Lovely mug, too!

No. Not exhibitions. Even donations do not "generate great marketing" (that's what the people asking will say) If I donate, it's because I believe in the cause. Not because it will be a marketing tool for me. Juried shows are a different situation for me. A show versus an exhibition. Roberta

@Katie S I have become quite adamant about "what clay is it?" Name, rank, serial number, when firing for others. If they do not know, I politely decline. A friend of mine just had a horrible kiln accident with that very thing. Melted cups and plates all over the shelves. Yes, they were low fire. Fired to mid fire. The person making the request didn't do their work. You would probably be fine with 04, probably. But.....

@chris123 When I dry my slab plates and trays, I put a bag of rice in the middle of them while they are drying. I do this with porcelain and stoneware. It's just one of the small things a potter can do to try to insure a measure of success. Along with maybe changing glazing or how you fire or or or.... What clay are you using and what temp do you bisque and fire to? Also, just a thought, "toss it on the wheel" going with clay has a memory situation, maybe carefully put the clay slab on the bat?

A corner might be good. Clay is such a therapeutic way to manage all sorts of stress, life events. As we have all witnessed the last 4 years, prices have gone up and up and up. If you decide to go back to clay, your cost outlay would not be as steep. I hope you can find a corner. As @Denice suggested, maybe the slab roller? If it takes up a lot of space? Your life is crazy busy right now, but it will change. We had 3 kids. We get it. Best of luck to you Joseph. Roberta

Good question. I have 1000 firings on my L&L. My husband and I work together on it, Mostly I could do it myself, replacing elements, thermocouples, wiring etc. But it is nice to have the help. We have even replaced bricks (yes, the one on the bottom ring). And patched bricks. I helped a friend replace bricks and elements on a larger, older L&L. But I have never attempted repair on other brands. Not sure if there would be a lot of difference or not. We are hours away from any sort of help, so we had to do this on our own. L&L has GREAT over the phone, email, support. My hat is off to Rob Battey. He patiently listens to my kiln problems and gives such down to earth sensible advice. Over the phone, and via email. I really appreciate L&L. They have made it possible for me to keep my kiln running.

Wow!

Hello! The white spots look like the glaze is too thick. I have had the same problem at times. Did you put cone packs in your kiln? That would be the best way to see if your kiln is firing to the proper temperature.

@akilpots I like RSMC as well. I have one box left. I have to special order it from the clay supplier. Recently I have been trying some of Kentucky Mudworks Clay. Their Kota is wonderful. I just purchased Big Turtle, Mullhollun, and White Bear. This will be for Empty Bowl throwing. It will be a nice way to do some testing with glazes, etc. I am always on the lookout for a cone 6 red that performs well. I like the Kota porcelain, so I will use up #16 from Laguna, and I also use Speckled Buff from Laguna and I like the New Mexico Chocolate from Santa Fe Clay. All of those are available from the Denver supplier. and yes, it does appear I have a clay problem. Oh, change of subject, I was at the supplier on Tuesday and casually asked about Gerstley. They had it in stock $224 for 50 pounds. I picked it up for my friend. I have 50#s and not sure what I will do when it's gone. They told me Laguna held 2 pallets for them, but that is probably it.

Thanks for asking this @Sandi0720 I have wondered the same thing myself. I have some small dishes I make for a local pet store. The stilts work fine for that. But I have wondered about using wadding for bisque and glaze firing on porcelain!