graybeard Posted April 26, 2016 Report Share Posted April 26, 2016 Hi guys! Sunday I learned that there is WAY more to pit firing bisque than having a pit with combustibles and ware in it and dropping a match into it. Every piece broke, and, they (the pieces) still look the same dull white as when they were loaded. I mean I didn't ever get nice looking driveway fill. The only bright-tish spot in the whole mess is that they were not very nice bowls, platters or jars, so I didn't really lose anything. I haven't ever tried, or even had a chance to watch the process before, but I think maybe using a leaf blower to keep the fire Going was probably not my brightest move, It did sound like a good idea at the time though. Almost forgot, it was cone 03 bisque Anyone willing to hold my hand and walk me through this??? I am your humbled, graybeard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrim8 Posted April 26, 2016 Report Share Posted April 26, 2016 Here are some easy instructions http://monroeclayworks.com/pit-firing/ Once you get the firing process down, you can really start experimenting with different techniques and materials. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted April 26, 2016 Report Share Posted April 26, 2016 Check out books/videos from Sumi von Dassow -- http://www.herwheel.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted April 26, 2016 Report Share Posted April 26, 2016 Once you have mastered fire walking barefoot pit firing will be a snap. Now I suggest a few weeks in Tonga to gain the nessacary fire walking skills as they are one of the masters in this field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted April 26, 2016 Report Share Posted April 26, 2016 Can't say I have had much pit experience but the one time we did it all the pots were in a sawdust/colourant layer with about 15cm sawdust over the top of all pots that we then built a fire on top. I feel the sawdust layer added some heat lag to the pots and warmed them up slower than direct flame contact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graybeard Posted April 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2016 Mark, I thought the fine art of fire walking was forever lost with the collapse of the A. Orange empire! g-beard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graybeard Posted April 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2016 Hey everybody, thanks for the help g-beard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted April 27, 2016 Report Share Posted April 27, 2016 Grey beard After collapse of the A.Orange empire most knowledge was lost except for a small tribe on Tonga They handed it down one generation to the next Quite by mistake they discovered pit firing back in the day buy dropping a piece of clay into the fire while walking on it. In more modern times say in the middle 1800's a whaling ship blew offcourse and made landfall looking for water and saw wonderfully pit fired pots They in turn brought this Tecnique into the modern world The early whalers used to carve on these pit firedpots of clay and developed a process that latter became what you may have heard as scrimshaw When they ran out of pots to carve on long voyages they starting using whales teeth. These long lost histories are still carried out in Molokai where I have heard many of oral histories of not much known knowledge pasted on generation thru generation When you're are on an island isolated from other clay folk your imagination can at times get away from you. But seeing that A.Orange pot from yesteryear brought it all together Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graybeard Posted April 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2016 Mark, Over the years (and I mean a LOT of years) I have striven to become the weirdest guy in the room, and I have enjoyed a large amount of success and have been very proud of that achievement. As you undoubtedly know it is no small achievement and can only be accomplished through years nay, decades of intense study and dedication with a laser like focus on that one goal. Well, as of this day, SIR, I step back, and I doff my chapeau to you. g-beard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alabama Posted April 28, 2016 Report Share Posted April 28, 2016 To find out How to fire pottery, you might want to try an on line e-course, Or try a class at Up in Smoke pottery Or try you tube, also. Good luck, Alabama Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Up in Smoke Pottery Posted May 6, 2016 Report Share Posted May 6, 2016 To find out How to fire pottery, you might want to try an on line e-course, Or try a class at Up in Smoke pottery Or try you tube, also. Good luck, Alabama Thanks for the mention Alabama!! Graybeard, shoot me an email, I'd be happy to assist if I can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted May 7, 2016 Report Share Posted May 7, 2016 Grey beard I accept your doff to me but just to let you know I have never tried for the weirdest guy in room as it all comes natural . I may be the friendliest in room most often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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