emma_19 Posted August 26, 2016 Report Share Posted August 26, 2016 Hi All Just a quick question, doesn't really warrant a whole thread but didn't know where else to ask - I wanted to know if anyone has tried using silicone rolling pins for rolling out slabs? I don't know if the clay would stick to the silicone in which case I will stick to wood. Which is better in your experience? I know I could go out a buy one to test but just for convenience I wanted to ask here first. Thanks Emma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted August 26, 2016 Report Share Posted August 26, 2016 wood is best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreaB Posted August 26, 2016 Report Share Posted August 26, 2016 I purchased a long silicone rolling pin. The clay sticks like crazy. Don't know if it's because of local manufacture or if it is just a silicone thing. But as oldlady says wood is best. Andrea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Sweet Posted August 26, 2016 Report Share Posted August 26, 2016 Emma- I agree with the statements above. If you have a restaurant supply house nearby, I'd recommend a large baker's rolling pin with ball bearings in the handles. You may find that wooden pins have a clear finish on the barrel, which you can remove using a light sanding with 220 grit sandpaper. The larger the diameter, the easier it is to produce smooth, flat slabs. You can use 1/4 inch plywood or plexiglass strips as guide strips to get an even thickness for most slab projects. Personally I prefer these over dowels, as they won't dent the barrel. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcelainbyAntoinette Posted August 26, 2016 Report Share Posted August 26, 2016 If it is porcelain clay, you can give your silicone rolling pin a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glazenerd Posted August 27, 2016 Report Share Posted August 27, 2016 Being married: I do not allow rolling pins in the house. Nerd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted August 27, 2016 Report Share Posted August 27, 2016 I always roll out with a cloth below and above the clay, then the rolling pin never sticks, andyou can use what you have or what is cheapest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preeta Posted August 27, 2016 Report Share Posted August 27, 2016 wow i am surprised it sticks. apparently clay is not supposed to stick to silicone. one of my classmates brought her silicone baking sheet to school and the clay never stuck to it. interesting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted August 27, 2016 Report Share Posted August 27, 2016 I like wood. And I prefer one piece rolling pins without bearings- they last longer and I feel they I have more control with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preeta Posted August 27, 2016 Report Share Posted August 27, 2016 actually i just use a wooden dowel. not even a rolling pin. i like the freedom of size it gives me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreaB Posted August 27, 2016 Report Share Posted August 27, 2016 wow i am surprised it sticks. apparently clay is not supposed to stick to silicone. one of my classmates brought her silicone baking sheet to school and the clay never stuck to it. interesting! Maybe it has something to do with the pressure used to roll a slab Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rakukuku Posted August 27, 2016 Report Share Posted August 27, 2016 yep, I use a piece of old bed sheet or even newspaper when rolling small slabs. I also have those special paper mats that you can use to roll out slabs on a slab roller without getting any texture that canvas leaves. I call them my "rolling papers". have one set for dark clay and one for white. But I agree wood rolling pins are best. We also have some pieces of 3 inch pcv pipe that work pretty well. rakuku Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rakukuku Posted August 27, 2016 Report Share Posted August 27, 2016 yep, I use a piece of old bed sheet or even newspaper when rolling small slabs. I also have those special paper mats that you can use to roll out slabs on a slab roller without getting any texture that canvas leaves. I call them my "rolling papers". have one set for dark clay and one for white. But I agree wood rolling pins are best. We also have some pieces of 3 inch pcv pipe that work pretty well. rakuku Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChenowethArts Posted August 27, 2016 Report Share Posted August 27, 2016 I'm a wooden rolling pin person...no particular reason, but it might feel like I'm cheating on a girlfriend if I switched. Rolling pins have feelings after all --Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Longer Member Posted August 28, 2016 Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 I'm a wooden rolling pin person...no particular reason, but it might feel like I'm cheating on a girlfriend if I switched. Rolling pins have feelings after all --Paul Yeah, I've dated women that were built like rolling pins too.....but once you've had a few drinks...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyAmores Posted August 28, 2016 Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 I had a hard time finding a wood rolling pin and didn't want to pay a lot from a clay supplier so I ended up with a teflon-coated one. I like it because it's easy to clean when I switch from red back to porcelain clay. It sticks a little, but only when the clay is really wet and thin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChenowethArts Posted August 28, 2016 Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 I'm a wooden rolling pin person...no particular reason, but it might feel like I'm cheating on a girlfriend if I switched. Rolling pins have feelings after all --Paul Yeah, I've dated women that were built like rolling pins too.....but once you've had a few drinks...... Well, when you put your rolling pin in the microwave and then enter your PIN number, you've had more than a few drinks. -Speaking for a friend, -Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted August 29, 2016 Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 I have all types but gave them up or my power Bailey 30 inch slab roller. They all work on porcelain-wood is best for sticky stonewares. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preeta Posted August 29, 2016 Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 Mark why do you prefer the slab roller? even thickness? time saving? having used a slab roller (thick canvas and then a thin canvas on the bottom and same on top) i will say given a choice i prefer using a rolling pin or punching with a fist. i find machine slabs dry out too much. i usually work with soft slab and not really almost leather hard slabs. if i was making a set of 4 bowls by the time i finished no. 3 the 4th was too hard to manipulate. i guess i could keep the slab moist. that is rolling slabs out for 4 bowls at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emma_19 Posted August 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 Thank you for all your helpful replies! Why does stoneware tend to be sticky and porcelain not so much? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnolia Mud Research Posted August 29, 2016 Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 For me, the choice of slab roller vs rolling pin vs thrown & stretched technique for making a slab, depends on how big the finished slab must be. A long wide slab is more efficiently made on a slab roller, if available. A thin slab for a drinking cup is easier to make with a rolling pin and two gauge strips. A thick single plate slab is quickly made by throwing onto the table or floor. If the slab sticks to the roller or table, the contact surfaces are too wet. Dry the roller or clay or put plastic on the clay, or do both. Even when making sets of soft slab items, I keep the slabs on craft foam and covered with plastic - usually the thin "cling" wrap stuff. The sticky-ness of clay is dependent on the water content, and my experience with stoneware and porcelain slabs is that porcelain will dry faster than stoneware and thus is less sticky. LT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcelainbyAntoinette Posted August 29, 2016 Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 Emma, porcelain clay is normally drier and because it has a larger particle size it is not so sticky ( plastic) My studio table is covered with Masonite( kitchen counter top) Unless your porcelain is very soft, it is better to use non absorbing surfaces ( including when you roll clay out) while you work with it, because it will stay workable for longer. That being said, there is good advice on rolling pins. If you roll your clay between two layers of paper or plastic, even fabric; interfacing ( the very thick one available from fabric stores used to stiffen up cuffs and collars) will prevent texture. I use slabmat from slabmat.com. If you are just starting out with slabs, I will suggest you use a piece of interfacing. Remember to always peel the paper, plastic or fabric away from the clay and not the other way round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephEm Posted January 31, 2019 Report Share Posted January 31, 2019 Has anyone used an aluminum rolling pin with clay? Did it stick? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnolia Mud Research Posted January 31, 2019 Report Share Posted January 31, 2019 Yes, yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeU Posted January 31, 2019 Report Share Posted January 31, 2019 When I was desperate--which I am not any longer--and only had a silicone pin & a metal one, I used cornstarch on the surface of the clay to get it to roll out "good enough" without the agony of sticking. My heavy duty wood commercial baker's rolling pin is great. So is the (Bailey) table-top slab roller I finally got, tho I still use the pin for smaller work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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