LeeU Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 I am being asked to make a few chalices. They do not need to be identical, in fact better if they are unique, just essentially the same size in height, width, and capacity. I know someone here makes chalices (Pres?) and others have commented but Search is not turning up much. What I am looking for is the best advice for getting started, as I am inexperienced in this kind of production. What is your experience and thoughts on whether thrown as a single piece vs. doing the stem and cup separately and then attaching? Things to look out for? Drying tips, etc. etc. I checked out a couple of videos, but there was an especially good one I saw just recently that now I can't locate--it was a well-known potter and he used various gauges, threw the stem first, put a pin hole in the closed bottom, and used a tool to pull vertical flats down the stems for interest. They were glazed a greenish blue, I think. I think he also had a chop but I just can't recall his name, if anyone knows what I'm talking about. Anyway, any comments will be appreciated! I'll be electric firing to cone 6 and using stoneware--probably the Vashon gray, tho my client wants to see samples in the black Basaltic (he says he doesn't "mind" the little bloats that may occur-I explained that throwing the stuff ups the ante on "issues" with firing and even "invisible" cracks = leaks---this should be interesting. ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 Pres is the maker of fine chalices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benzine Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 Pres, is the best person to talk to. He makes some every year, from the sounds of it. If it were me, I'd throw it in two pieces; a round bottomed cup, and a stem with no bottom. I did find this video, where it's thrown as one piece: Usually his videos, he makes note of what he is doing. Not the case here, so I can't tell, if the stem is open into the cup or on the bottom and he collared the top close. If they are functional, I would go with two piece. If you throw it as one, and have that narrow area in the stem, it is very difficult to clean, and would become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. I pretty sure Pres goes the two piece route, because he made himself a special Giffen Grip holder, specifically for the chalices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayaldridge Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 I would go with a two piece form. It's easier, and you have a bit more control over thickness. I haven't made one in a long time, since mine were goblets for wine drinking and not religious objects. I eventually decided the color of wine was important enough that glass was the most appropriate material for goblets. But I always enjoyed making them, so maybe I was foolish to stop. Here's one from 35 years ago: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 Throw them from two pices and join-I made them 35 years ago in stoneware.Lots of them.I threw the bottom off the hump upside down. Pres makes them now-he can chine in soon as well. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 I made them ages ago too. two pieces. Both off the hump, Avoid getting water down the stem when assembling them. This can crack the cup. Learned from experience. Res is the Man for chalices. He must be off got the 4th! Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 Hi all, Hmm seems the one day I was away, every one seems to be clambering! Thanks for the vote of confidence. At any rate, I can give you a few tips about the chalice and patens. Throw off of the hump, first stems, then bowls. Throw the stems upright as if they would be used. Use ribs to put in grooves and decoration. I usually add a little bloated area in the upper third of the stem, as it makes it easier-more comfortable to grip. When throwing the bowls leave a little extra at the base for a trim fit cup. More on this later. Trim the stems first. Best is to throw a chuck column that they will fit into. Try to keep the top edge of chuck dry and place stems upside down in the chuck, and trim. I try not to trim through leaving a small hole in the bottom of the stem for air passage. Trim the cups with one stem in mind. I trim them so that a particular stem fits into an area of the base. This is a cup cut into the base the diameter of the stem top, only about 1/4-1/2" deep. Then score and magic water or slip. Place the stem into the cup and while wheel is turning level up and firm up the cup/stem join with a wooden or rubber rib. I try to design the stem and cup join so that they don't look joined there, but higher on the cup. Remove from wheel and set upside down covered for first day then turn upright and uncover. There are a few pictures and videos on my blog at the posting Chalices for Communion sets, my way Best of luck, I have been doing it now for over 30 years, and only time, research, and trial and error have gotten them here. I have seen these done several different ways, so as my post says, these are mine-my way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 I can add that at cone 10 porcelain ones warp badly-I stopped making them when I switched to Porcelain. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeU Posted July 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2015 Y'all are so generous--and thank you especially, Prez! I talked my client out of the black clay for drink ware...we'll go with white or gray stoneware, thank heavens! Nice to see the avatars are back, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted July 6, 2015 Report Share Posted July 6, 2015 mark's avatar scared me when i first saw it!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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