Guest Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 My wife and I took a 6 week class at a local high school where all we used was mostly soggy recycled earthenware. I had purchased some Amaco Stoneware #46 Buff from Amazon because it had free shipping and was only $23 for 50lb. I like to explore other clay bodies, but the problem is that our experience with clay is extremely limited.I do know I'd like to stay with stoneware, cone 5/6 and medium to light in color. I plan starting with purchasing 250lb. I'm making a 5 hour round in 10 days to visit some family located about 12 miles from Ceramic Supply located in Lodi, NJ. Before Christmas I'll be near Bailey's (4 hour round trip) to visit other family members.So I have two options to purchase clay from with both carrying different types of clay. What would you suggest I start with? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 I am not sure what types of clay are available at either supplier. But, a nice stoneware should throw well. Drop the clay bag on the floor on all sides to loosen /soften t up. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 Are you throwing or hand building this can help determine what clay you should buy? If you are both throwing I would buy 500lbs some companies give you a break at 1000lbs. If you make this trip often you can stick to your 250lbs. Denice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SydneyGee Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 What clay to suggest is like asking what paints to use. There are oils, watercolors, acrylics.... and within each of those dozens of brands, consistencies, and pigmentation.... what do you like in a clay? What will you be doing with it? Do you do sculpture, do you want translucency, a smooth surface for painting or resisting designs? I would not just go an buy 250lbs right off the bat. That's like ordering hundreds of t-shirts online. It may say 100% cotton, but the weight, feel, and look might be completely different than advertised, clay even more so. I personally like b-mix clay, it is porcelain-like in whiteness and has a smooth soft consistency. It can sometimes crack and warp, so special care is needed to work with it. A lot of people use clays that only come from their county/state. It varies so much from provider to provider, even batch to batch. Buy a few bags of clay and experiment thoroughly according to your needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 @ Denise We'll be mostly throwing with a little hand building thrown in I wonder if I could fit 500# in my car? @ Sydney Gee I hear ya, but I gotta start somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SydneyGee Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 @ Denise We'll be mostly throwing with a little hand building thrown in I wonder if I could fit 500# in my car? @ Sydney Gee I hear ya, but I gotta start somewhere. Ask the people running the shop! They should have more knowledge on their clay than us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 Regardless of the brand, get a cone 6 clay body -- not one that ranges from cone 6 to 10. Consider also your glazes . . . are you using commercial glazes or ones you mix yourself? Glazes can look different on different colors of clay bodies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 For now I'll be using commercial glazes. Down the road I'll learn about mixing my own. Regardless of the brand, get a cone 6 clay body -- not one that ranges from cone 6 to 10. From your reply I guess it would have been better to ask, "What should I look for in a clay?" Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 as new to the field, you will be amazed when you get to bailey. plan to spend some time there. ask for some guidance and tell them that you are new to everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 They carry Standard clays at Ceramic Supply. #630 would be a great body for you. Cone 5/6, a little texture but mostly smooth, very forgiving, fires cold white. We use a ton of it in my studio. They've been mixing it a little on the wet side, so you may need to dry it out a little before using for anything of size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graybeard Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 Neil, Is that what you use for your class? Graybeard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 Some good info, Thank you everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alabama Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 Practically any soft clay should do. Soft clay is easier to use when you're learning the steps to make items! Alabama Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 Neil, Is that what you use for your class? Graybeard Yep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 Ron I guess it depends on your car, I have a PT Cruiser and just picked up 200lbs of clay for hand building. Could have handled another 800lbs, my supplier is 10 miles from me so I can buy it as needed. Denice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhPotter Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 Ron, Think of 500 pounds as 2 people riding along, one person weighing 300 pounds and another weighing 200 pounds. No real stress on the car for an extra 500 pounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 Well, to be totally honest... I was planning to come home with 2 wheels, a slab roller, clay and glaze. Right now we're using a borrowed Shimpo wheel, which I need to return the first week of December. To answer your question, we'll be using my wife's Forrester. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 on this forum it is always better to be totally honest. and use enough words to explain so we know what the h.. you are talking about. have you decided on the things you plan to "come home" with or are you interested in opinions about them also? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 Please, Opinions Are Appreciated.. What I'm coming home with depends on where I'm going. If I hit Ceramic Supplies, I'll come home with Shimpos. If I go to Baileys I want to compare their wheels to Shimpos. I'm also thinking about Baileys smaller slab roller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 Baileys slab rollers are the best ​not a shimpo fan so no help there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 consider using a white or very light clay. just because the process as you learn is so messy, why add to it with mud or red colored clay? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 Thanks Mark and oldlady Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 I have bailey's wheel Pro model about 15 years old. Quiet, not too fast, replaced the belts about 2 years ago and the potentiometer in the foot pedal. I really love this wheel. I and on my 3rd slab roller. First was an early Bailey that I switched for a bigger home made one custom built by a retired German engineer. It was a single roller nd the middle of the slabs were thicker. I got a 36" Bailey dual roller in 2002. Great machine. I had a Brent in the University where I was teaching. The cables wear our regularly with heavy student use. They are a PITA to replace. I had all Shimpo Whispers in class when I taught in Hawaii. They are a good wheel. quiet. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preeta Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 consider using a white or very light clay. just because the process as you learn is so messy, why add to it with mud or red colored clay? i get this at school too. and i dont get it. i dont see how you have to clean more depending on the colour of the clay. you have to clean. period. if anything dark coloured clay makes it easier to clean since you can see it easily. there are students in my class who wont use dark clay bodies because they find it messy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preeta Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 the clay i will have easiest access to. where would you go regularly to buy clay? even if that means you have to make a couple of runs a year. suggestion - get the wheels and a claybody on the first trip. if you throw significantly till your next trip then i'd buy some other clays based on grog size on your second. my throwing skills improved exponentially when i played with different clay bodies. i hope you plan to recycle your clay. i am a student and throw a significant amount. i wouldnt be able to throw as much if i didnt use recycled clay since i cant afford buying 700 lbs of clay every 4 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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