jrgpots Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 I dug some local purple colored bentonite, slaked it and collected the top 2/3 of the bucket, let it dry a bit, then formed a 10 inch bar. After it was dried, I fired it to cone 5. As you can see, it shrunk by 20%, fired to a chocolate color, and melted. There were particles in the clay that I think was vemiculite ( but I'm not sure ). My wife told me that my test looked like crap .....literally. The clay obviously had a lot of iron since it fired so dark. Can anyone think of a use for this stuff?.....other than making ceramic "dog piles." Jed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 Like these? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrgpots Posted November 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 His are gold. Mine are brown with bubbles. They look like the real thing. BUT, thanks for the laugh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biglou13 Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 Like these? You need to give us the "Baby Ruth" warning Rofl I've never thought of bentonite on its own. Always as a plasticizer for,other clay bodies.... Have you tried as part of your other clay bodies? If not it has great health applications, I've seen where people use it as a mud bath to detox And or facial /skin masks. I've actually drank it as part of a cleanse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 One of the most common uses of Bentonite is lining ponds.It has a huge expansion level when water is added. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 I use 3% Bentonite in all my glazes to keep them in suspension. Are you sure you have Bentonite there? Looks like it is spitting out some solubable salts. TJR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrgpots Posted November 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2013 I use 3% Bentonite in all my glazes to keep them in suspension. Are you sure you have Bentonite there? Looks like it is spitting out some solubable salts. TJR. The USGS says it is high potassium laden betonite. The yellow specks are vemiculite or feldspar. The bad thing is there was so much iron that it would alter just about any glaze color. I think Marcia has the best idea...throw it into the pond and let ot sink to the bottom. Jed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted November 15, 2013 Report Share Posted November 15, 2013 last april, my neighbor said it is in cat litter and will pick up the oil he spilled on my asphalt driveway. so now instead of a plate size oil spot, i have a plate size mud spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Coyle Posted November 15, 2013 Report Share Posted November 15, 2013 It might make an interesting "volcanic" slip on pottery if you can get it to stick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 15, 2013 Report Share Posted November 15, 2013 Since this went towards crusty brown turds-if you really want to get those down do what I did back in the early 70's and make a plaster cast of the real poop-these cone 10 turds have been in the yard for 40 years and are real replicas of real poo. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrgpots Posted November 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2013 It might make an interesting "volcanic" slip on pottery if you can get it to stick I'll try it. I have lots of the stuff. I could put it on bonsai planters. Mark, I'll fire a small coiled pile of the clay. If you get a small package from Utah in the next month......Merry Christmas!!! Jed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 15, 2013 Report Share Posted November 15, 2013 Jed I'd rather do a mug exchange Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayjay Posted November 15, 2013 Report Share Posted November 15, 2013 Mark, I'll fire a small coiled pile of the clay. If you get a small package from Utah in the next month......Merry Christmas!!! Scratch and sniff pottery anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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