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Ceramic Shelves - Too Heavy?


Joenix

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Hi,

for a course project I want to make a set of 5 shelves for a corner wall - about 75cm length and 12 - 14cm width. I was going to hollow out the main body of the shelf itself, leaving thick tabs for screws. As I've found nothing about making anything other than soap holders online, I'm wondering if there's a reason for this. They're not for a bathroom, so wouldn't be grouted in.My question is, would they be too heavy to be screwed into a wall? I wouldn't want to load them up with heavy items. And they're on a corner, so have two separate walls for support. Anyone have any ideas if this would be successful or is it doomed to fail from the start?

Thanks

Sarah

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Main issues involve more information from you ...

 

How experienced are you in hand building with clay?

What clay are you thinking of using?

How are you planning to shape the shelves?

What cone will you be firing to?

How much weight would the shelves need to bear?

 

75 cm is a long piece of clay that you are hoping won't warp or crack so you will need some good skills ...

that said, it's possible and could be lovely.

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Thank you!

This is my third year of a three year sculpting class.

I plan on using 25 - 40% grogged clay (0.2mm), and firing to 1260°C (cone 7/8? I live in Europe, so don't use cones or farenheit).

Although the length is 75cm, the shelves will be placed on a corner, which means there is more support. Keeping them fairly shallow should also mean they will not fall. At least that's the principle. I've done relatively large slab work before, so I think technique is OK. I want the shelves to float, meaning they will be hollow at the back (clay thickness each side at least 1.2cm after firing) and will have holes at the back to screw onto the supporting wooden blocks which will themselves be screwed into a solid wall. I'm just worried about the final weight as although they'll be hollow, they have to be chunky enough to be floating shelves rather than bracketed.

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It sounds do able to me as long as you don't put overly heavy items on them when you are done.

 

I would go to a shelving store to personally check out the system you are thinking of using to make sure of your theory and your measurements. Make sure you have the exact shrinkage rate for your clay body so it will all fit after firing.

 

I myself am considering thin porcelain shelves for displaying my work but will support them with minimal brackets.

 

Good luck ... Post pictures when done.

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the most important thing has not been mentioned.  support behind the walls.  make sure there is a solid backing behind the corners as far out as the end of your shelf will be.  if not, make the shelf fit the support, even if you have to change the measurements.

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Would it be possible to make a ceramic "veneer" for a wood floating shelf? You could make a 75 cm x 12 cm slab for the top, a 75 cm x N slab (N = thickness of shelf + thickness of top slab) for the front lip and a 12 cm x N slab for the visible side and adhere them to the shelf. It would be lighter and you wouldn't have to worry about a hollow form warping in the kiln.

 

qQ8ZUTH.jpg

 

(I've only been working with clay for a few months so I may be overlooking some potential issues with this method. I'm sure the veterans will have more insight.)

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