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Thoughts On Drying New Form


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Just made a new form yesterday, working on making a lamp.

 

The problem I'm having is trying to figure out the best way to dry this.

 

It's hollow inside (obviously), and there is no base to it. There is a hole in the top (for lamp hardware), and one on the base for wires.

 

The outside is drying as expected, but the inside is remaining pretty wet.

 

I can't put it on my normal slatted open-air racks because the weight is enough that the base deforms around the slats.

 

Any thoughts on how to dry it more efficiently?

 

Edit: not sure why the picture is sideways... But you get the idea!

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If it were me, i would place it on a plaster bat, wrap it up with a big plastic bag with a small air hole poked out in the top. It will take a while to dry but its a method i use regularly, once it gets past leather hard poke more hole until you feel you can take the bag off...T

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Any reason you're not willing to just let it dry as is?

 

On another note, when I make lamps I do not leave the entire bottom open. The foot is much more likely to warp in the firing that way. Throw and trim the bottom like a normal pot, then cut out a hole in the middle of the bottom just big enough to work through. I usually do a 2.5" or so hole. The bottom is much more stable this way.

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Any reason you're not willing to just let it dry as is?

 

On another note, when I make lamps I do not leave the entire bottom open. The foot is much more likely to warp in the firing that way. Throw and trim the bottom like a normal pot, then cut out a hole in the middle of the bottom just big enough to work through. I usually do a 2.5" or so hole. The bottom is much more stable this way.

 

Thanks for the tip Neil -- I was seeing lamps thrown both ways, and I actually threw a pseudo-base onto this... It's not completely bottomless, maybe a 2-inch "ring" on the bottom and a hole in the middle.

 

As for letting it dry as is... Mostly because the outside is drying a lot faster than the inside, since the inside is barely exposed. I had already poked a hole in the top as Trina suggested. Just wanted to make sure there wasn't any cracking because of unequal drying.

 

My worries may be unfounded.

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I make mine with porcelain, and just let them dry. Whenever possible I flip them upside down on top of a solo cup, but if not I don't really worry about it.

 

Thanks again, Neil. I probably won't stress it then, and just let it dry as it sees fit.

 

Excited to foray into the world of lighting.

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Best place to get lamp parts is Grand Brass in Connecticut. THESE sockets are amazing quality, and very reasonably priced. They are infinitely higher quality than those you get at the hardware store or ceramic accessory suppliers. You can get all your check rings, cords, harp holders, etc. from them, too.

 

A safety tip: Make sure you tie a big knot in the cord inside the lamp base so the cord can't pull out.

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