DirtRoads Posted February 21, 2019 Report Share Posted February 21, 2019 What is the best way? Some clay is just too wet. I've currently ordering #7 hardness. I was told Laguna clay is normally 6.0 to 6.5 hardness. The #7 is still too wet. My April order will be 7.5. But .. .need to use up some of this wet clay. We keep pushing the wetter clay back ..... Do you just open bag and dry straight up or laying sideways? Do you turn the blocks of clay? Or do you slice the clay to let it dry? (we slice a 25 lb block in 3 long pieces) We dry on sheet rock or hobby board or a slab mat. Currently we use about 500 pounds a week. Running it through the pug mill to "dry it out" isn't an option I wish to pursue. I want to know what is the best way to evenly dry blocks of clay. We've tried all ways but I'm not really sure which gives the most even drying? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted February 21, 2019 Report Share Posted February 21, 2019 Slice the blocks into slabs about an inch thick and leave them out on the table, standing up with an inch or two between them for air flow. Depending on the humidity, they'll generally be ready to wedge in 1-4 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hitchmss Posted February 21, 2019 Report Share Posted February 21, 2019 If you have access to a pugmill; run the wet clay through your mill, make your slugs about 14-18" long, and stand them on end around the studio for a couple of hours or until desired dryness. Being in that smaller 3" diameter you'll get more even drying than if you left it in its full block shape. Run back through pug mill to blend and bob's your uncle. You could go through and rotate the blocks like you suggest, but that just seems like a lot of un-necessary touching and manipulation. Wasting your time and energy just to dry out clay is nonsensical IMO....do as little as you have to. The "best" way to evenly dry out clay is going to depend on so many factors that this will be more of a trial and error deal. A fan blowing on them might skin them over too quickly if they are too thick. Sitting in the sun might do the same. Too thin and they may dry out too much on you, too thick and it may take forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted February 21, 2019 Report Share Posted February 21, 2019 Prep your clay the day before and leave the slugs/balls/whatevers uncovered for a while? The amount of time would depend on your humidity level this time of year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtRoads Posted April 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2019 Finally ... got the 7.5 clay from Laguna. It's perfect. I do have a pug mill (Bailey) that is terrific. BUT ... running 2000 lbs a month through it is just too much trouble. We use the pug mill for scraps. We had been slicing up clay the night before and most of the time it was okay. But this 7.5 is perfect for what I need. Not sure how how their scale goes but the "normal" batch is 6.0 to 6.5. They tested my "ideal" clay I sent them and thought 6.5 to 7.0 would be right. But this 7.5 is perfect. I never knew about this as an available ordering option until recently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted April 6, 2019 Report Share Posted April 6, 2019 &.5 is pretty hard in porcelain The standard now is 6.25 to 6.5 I order mine wetter at 6. I just ordered 10 tons today of special order 6 Daves Porcelain If you are using for slab work than stiffer is better.I wheel throw most of mine so softer is better for me. The minimum amount for these special orders is 1 ton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtRoads Posted April 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2019 My clay is Laguna #60 (stoneware) and yes I mostly do slab, with a lot of imprinted patterns and such. In here making now .. loving the 7.5. I have a standing order for 1 ton a month. We used to get 2800 pounds every 5 to 6 weeks but you have to do an even 2000 for this special order. (for some reason we only got 1800 pounds today though) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeU Posted April 10, 2019 Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 On 4/6/2019 at 12:48 AM, DirtRoads said: we only got 1800 pounds today though I simply must say (as someone who orders 100 lbs. of clay just several times a year) I enjoy reading about folks in business and all that entails. I am glad that this site is so welcoming of people at all levels and skills/experience. Although I don't produce much, it is good to feel included, and to be able to learn so much (chemistry/kilns/techniques etc.) however little I may put to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtRoads Posted April 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2019 On 4/9/2019 at 10:44 PM, LeeU said: I simply must say (as someone who orders 100 lbs. of clay just several times a year) I enjoy reading about folks in business and all that entails. I am glad that this site is so welcoming of people at all levels and skills/experience. Although I don't produce much, it is good to feel included, and to be able to learn so much (chemistry/kilns/techniques etc.) however little I may put to use. I think I'm more about quantity than quality in most of my work. My pottery skill level is no where near most potters on the board. My marketing & selling skills are what pushes my business. I think you are way more than just "included" here. You are someone I've watched really advance in skill and the type of work you put out. And you share all of that with the community here. I mentioned that 1800 lbs because they were SO insistent that you had to get 2000 to get the special order Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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