White Crystals On Fired Vase

[marshadohr]

Thanks for all your help. You guys are so generous! Got lotsa things to try.

[Guest JBaymore]

Basically....... there is no such thing as a cone 6 to 10 "vitrified" clay body.  From ANY manufacturer.  It is either mature at 6 and overfired at 10.......... underfired at 6 and mature at 10 ..... or slightly underfired at 6, mature at about 8, and slightly overfired at 10.

 

The suppliers sell these 6 to10 thingies this way to keep from having to stock SO many clay bodies for all the various firing temperatures.

 

BTW...... good knowledgable earthenware potters use non-vittrified clay bodies with glazes that fit and get work that is serviceable for food use and vases and such.  So you do not HAVE to have a fully vitrified body.  But getting that to work is a tough technical road to follow.

 

best,

 

...................john

[Guest JBaymore]

marshadhor,

 

Do you have a water softener in your home?

 

best,

 

..............john

[timbo_heff]

 

 

 

The suppliers sell these 6 to10 thingies this way to keep from having to stock SO many clay bodies for all the various firing temperatures.

 

...................john

 

Another reason clay makers have these compromise 6-10 bodies is for studios that have cone 6 and cone 10 kilns: prevents major mishaps in favor of minor mishaps (;

[marshadohr]

So..... is there a BEST cone 6 white clay body which works well for carving. I am North Carolina, so most of my clay comes from Highwater in Asheville. I can get Standard. I have heard that Highwater clays are inconsistent. I am sure I am not the only carver out there. I want smooth enough to do delicate work.

[oldlady]

like your dandelions very much.

 

highwater makes Little Loafers.  see the teabag holder i made in the post by Mark c.  :LL clay works in all ways for me.  try it, maybe you will like it.

 

DO YOU have a water softener????

[neilestrick]

So..... is there a BEST cone 6 white clay body which works well for carving. I am North Carolina, so most of my clay comes from Highwater in Asheville. I can get Standard. I have heard that Highwater clays are inconsistent. I am sure I am not the only carver out there. I want smooth enough to do delicate work.

 

Highwater makes great clay, and so does Standard. If you need totally smooth for your carving, you could try Standard 240. If a little fireclay won't bother you, try Standard 630 which is more forgiving than the 240. You could also go with porcelain, Standard 365.

[bciskepottery]

I have heard that Highwater clays are inconsistent.

That has not been my experience with Highwater clays . . . I regularly use Little Loafers and Red Rock at cone 6 and Phoenix for salt firing. I also slake down Helios as a slip at cone 6 (with Mason stains for colors). I carve and also do leaf impressions in Little Loafers as is has no grog and is rather smooth.

 

FWIW, I also use Standard 266 (cone 6) and Laguna Dark Brown (cone 10) for certain items. And I've found Standard Jack Troy stoneware to be a dream to throw.