[QotW: What things do you do that would be Old School, and what do you do that would be considered Embracing the Future?]

Extruded handles for 40 years now-two  wall mount extruders.

power jiffy mixers  with thre size heads on three drills -power slab roller-LEd lights-lots of them-studio air filtration system past 25 years-hot tea kettle for hot throwing water-two tub setting system outside for clay sink. 

I embrace anything that saves time and energy. 

I love my manuel electricl kiln with old school fire right ramp up. No relays no issues for an occasional bisque fire. I do not glaze fire in an electric.I do 99% of bisquing in gas kiln

always embraced any thing that saves time.

all kiln shelves for gas kilns are advancers 

I have a spare pile of them as well now bought used at good price.

Bit of a ceramic hoarder for sure

[QotW: What things do you do that would be Old School, and what do you do that would be considered Embracing the Future?]

I rarely use my triple bean over the newer digital scale-it weights more and is 10 times faster to make a `10,000 gram batch

I still fire old school gas kilns with only two cones in lower spy plug.New school is the oxy probes and digital pryros also is the older meter on kiln which works without a battery for rough temps. 

I gave up wet mop for central vac system in studio. It burns up a motor every two years but is worth it.

I still throw with very few tools-sponge and a stick.

Old school is my plaster bats for all things 8#s or less

old school is I use the material bags they came in-unless it smaller colorants

Old school I clean wheel every year not every day- less water use and better use of time

old school phone in studio covered with clay from western electric -bullet proof

old school banana bexes for transporting wares to and from shows, 70+ fit in van-easy to recycle at a show or to get more.

 

[Heads up if you make and sell butter dishes!]

French butterdish is what I call them-no lawyers yet after 40 years. But wait there is still time  for them to line up out front.  Well they have to see them at a show or a shop. No online sales for me.

 

[Talc shortage? New Talc - Cim Talc and Fabi Talc]

Some years back I spoke to John Pacinni at a wood fire opening show. He was the clay/materials guy for Laguna Clay Co. (now retired) and he said many mines where being bought out either for single use companies or even just to end competitive natures of the business. Net effect was many materials where getting revmoved from the market wreaking havac in the smaller ceramic world (our use). Texas Talc is just the latest.

[Talc shortage? New Talc - Cim Talc and Fabi Talc]

Thanks for that Min-I should have added I never did substitute that for texas talc.

I actually do not use texas talc -but do own a bag.

[Talc shortage? New Talc - Cim Talc and Fabi Talc]

I use sierra lite from laguna-its a white talc-no stortage, cost is more.

[QotW: Would you be willing to participate in a kiln space rental that would bring in a little extra cash, and supply a service to potters without a kiln in your area, and if so why?]

No

I have fired a few items for people over my 47 years. I stopped doing it about 20 yaers ago. No much risk. The last person said clay was high fire but it was cone 6 and bloated badly and made a mess.Never again.

That said I also have fired the local elementry school kids work twice using my clay and my glaze (onece was unglazed planters)

[QotW: What have you noticed in the rise in prices for materials over the last 20 years?]

Yes its a bit like stock trades-(I also do some of that as well)

buy when price is low in quantity 

Maybe the thing is decide if ceramics is your thing  and if that s a yes than approach materials in a business like manner .

If you are just playing around  with clay than all this makes no sense.

 

[QotW: What have you noticed in the rise in prices for materials over the last 20 years?]

Materials have been going up especially lately. I stock/horde materials in larger quantities so am less affected by any fluxations . I also am a distributor so price hikes show up in email form from supplier every month or three  or six and I can see whats happening. Tin ,cobalt,frits and really many colorants rise (and sometimes fall ) fairly often. For example the world demand for cobalt /spodume in electric cars really drove prices sky high as Min said above .Other factors include larger companies buying up smaller mining companys and closing them down or taking all the supply for a few business like we saw with texas talc recently. This is a huge factor now in ceramics for us. It started about 10 years back and will affect us all. If one wants to avoid  this  some buy in larger quantities and shop around. I found a cobalt and odd colorant supplier(non ceramic supply)  who dealt in 50# lots and I bought colbalt carb and sold most of it so I would have cheaper cobalt myself. I bought  lots of Tin long ago during a drop in price cycle and will not need any more most likely.

Trucking  cost has climbed steadily and adds to the prices. World demand also can make for rises. I have 8,450#s coming in a week (mostly porcelain) and share trucking to lower costs with our local ceramic supply house

Every year almost I buy a few bags of  Alberta slip and silica, whiting and Nepheline Syenite  as I do not want to stock over 3 bags of each along with my clay order. These have all gone up but considering the price its been small and steady .Clay also has slowly risen.

In 1982 I bought 3,000 of kingman feldspar and am down to about 200 -300#s now and that was a very good move it turned out. On a smaller scale one can do the same thing. 

Now for hobbyists who only use tiny amounts you will take the brunt of all price hikes but really most things ceramic are pretty low cost.

 

[Bisque firing ,bungs in and out when.]

leave out top spy plug until all water vapor is gone-500 degrees sounds fine.

Welcome to the board

[Waster slab questions]

Vacuum the grog carefully out of elemnets groves before firing

[QotW: Attitude being everything; how do you deal with customers that cross a line of sorts, and have you ever denied service to someone?]

Usually  my return customers are my best sales force. I have had a few bad eggs and refused service to about 3 folks over the last 45 years. One was two women from New York with really bad mouths and attitudes  and very loud. I usually just let nature take it course and they leave but these two where not going so I had to say your money is not good in this booth-soon they got it and left .

I also did that  about 25 years ago to a aggressive man who told me after putting 4 mugs down on my sales table what I was going to charge him. I picked up the 4 mugs quietly and returned them to the shelve and told him politely his money was no good in my booth and he left.You get to refuse service as its your right

Another was a man who had no clue about reality.

I have had a few drunks as well over the past 45 years who required removal before displayed got hurt.Dogs peeing on racks-0dog fight in booth-food being dumped etc

My usual way to say no is your money is no good in this booth-that usually gets them wondering  why this may be soo and soon they drift away.I do not confront folks most times. Keep smiling and say what I mean. Sometime the customer is not always right

[QotW: How do you feed yourself when working art shows or festivals?]

Funny I use the same coolers as Neil -I have them in two sizes.I also have an electric one for the van.I run that electric with frozen gallons of water and things stay frozen for a few days

If I'm on a long trip like the one in two weeks that will include diving for 3 days after  3 day show I will take some frozen tuna to BBQ after show-we stay for a week in a place with a kitchen  (friend own it) also fresh vegtables from large garden and steam them for dinner . Usually shows and diving do not mix but this one coming up in Wa state I have mixed diving with show for 30 years now .

For me my wife makes chicken for me  before show and we freeze it . I did many 3 days shows as well.I pack the frozen chicken (one saerving for lunch per day)in pre frozen water bottles quarts and gallons and the food thaws slowly driving to shows (most are long trips up to two days away) I also have a bag of celery and carrots and cold drinks.I also take some hard boiled eggs. I have my own coffee making (stove and dripper always with me in van asa well.) if the show is hot (summer) then I take a as large as I can gett iced latte or coffee. In the eraly am I get a coffee shop to give me a cup of Ice and the drink in another cup and make it up as needed during the day. I like coffee in all forms. I also have some small cold expresso cans as well in cooler.I usually pack some kind nut bars as well. This is  for a solo show or a helper show -its standard as I supply food to helper as well. I have done shows for 47 years now and have a system down . 

Also I take two days of fresh sandwiches which gets me to show and into the 1st day.I carry cereal for breakfast and milk in cooler  as well for all breakfasts during and traveling  to and from shows. I always eat a dinner out after shows unless I'm staying for long time after show like  my next show in two weeks.-part of the deal.10 years ago I put 20.000 miles a year on the van  every year(only used for pottery sales) Now its under 5,000. down to 3 shows and soon less than that.My local sales really have made shows obsolete other than the disire to see and talk to customers which I still need.

In my past when doing super hot shows like Gilry Ca garlic festival I have a scuba tank air powered mister system that covered my booth and 1/2 I used for decades there. I no longer do super hot shows (maybe not with climate change withstanding in the Pacific Northwest now ) .Customers flocked to that mister booth back then-the emitters where away from the racks of pots.

I never eat fair food-for many reasons

they are 

takes to much time

Getting bad food and sick at show is no fun (seen this happen more than once to others)

Remember your time at show is very limited so make it all count. Reading books no 

waiting in food lines no

attuitude is everything unless the customer crosses the line (been there as well) Refusing service always is a last resort but I have done it more than once-this may be another topic?

 

 

[QotW: Are you dealing with any supply chain issues, or seeing creeping material prices that have or may cause you to raise prices?]

2 hours ago, Callie Beller Diesel said:

Hate to point it out in case it creates a rush, but Ferro has closed some US manufacturing plants and is in the process of moving them to Mexico. There are interruptions in the availability of 3134 and 3124.

If I used them I would buy a 50# bag for sure.

[QotW: Are you dealing with any supply chain issues, or seeing creeping material prices that have or may cause you to raise prices?]

My clay prices and chemicals have all gone up. Demand has gone berserk

I have raised prices and am still doing that. My 1st show is coming up  a few states away and all pots will cost more except for spoon rests .

My  natural gas cost has risen as well. 

[Casting Slip]

wait and get the right stuff

[Qotw: Participants Question Pool For Future Qotw's]

Any supply chain issues for you as well as raising costs in this new landscape . Things like plaster are scare as well as talc at Laguna Clay Com.Equipment is long backordered they say- Prices are creeping up on most items

I had to raise my prices as well to keep up.

any issues for you in ceramics?

[QotW: Do you participate in any open studio tours, kiln openings, or other events allowing visitors to your studio/shop?]

I had studio sales twice a year at the studio for 19 years-stopped in 1993 when I went to more long distance art shows.There where no local studio tours like these days back then. I had a 1000 person mailing list and mailed a postcards out the last 5 years-before that I had a bulk mailing permit (#75 ) and did bulk mailing as it was the cheapest.I gave up mailing lists in the early 90s never looked back-All the work sells so  why botherb looking for more customers?

I did a local studio tour one time in early 2000s -it was a bust for me money wise for the effort.

I did about 12 traveling art shows for more decades than I recall.Gave up on studio sales .

as time went buy shifted to local venues (shops,galleries,stores) and a few less shows

I sell to customers who call ahead every year maybe 3-10 a year -just sold $300 last week to return  dinnerware customer. I only do this when the production allows it -not on glaze day - or loading day ,usually after a glaze  kiln comes out

I keep track of these studio sales and they average 1k to 3 k a year -in fact I keep a small 1/2 sheet of paper on fridge side with all sales of every sort every year to compare  year to year .Sure I could spread sheet it  in excel but why-I log them in when they happen-pen and paper

At one time I sold (my display )at a local produce stand in a barn) for a few summers about 1/2 mile away from home.

I also had pop up stands in the 70-s and early 80s around this area-now they are called pop up sales 

I have tried pretty much all ways to sell-turned down the trunk show offers 20 years ago at Norstrums-You have had to say no many times with others trying to make a $ on your work-you get to pick and choose.

 

[QotW: Does the weather interfere with your production/exploration of Ceramics?]

In terms of production from  late April early May to October 15th I dry most pots outside same day made. Thrown and put in sun,fog or anything but drizzel or rain. Trim and handle same day. If its really cool and foggy and wet I'll dry them in shop with natural gas heater on. The rest of the time its up  high in shop with heat on- throw trim as soon as they are ready usually same day no matter how hot it gets creature comfort is of no concern-pots are the focus not my comfort.

I like  to dry outside so shop stays cool but if needed it can be warm in a few minutes. Pots dictate whats needed.

We can throw handle and fire mugs same day if weather is warm and sunny. I do it a few times each year -last week was one of those times. You can do things that are outside previous limits if you get it right.Things like cearl bowls all day long throw trim and fire-handle forms take special care to fire same day-in an ele3ctric its easy the gas kiln is harder and I bisque in gas kiln 99% of the time.

Humitity meter in shop tells me what to do with the heater.

Today with two glaze fires going I had to trim and keep the pie plates away from kiln area (to hot to soon) 

 

[QotW: Does the weather interfere with your production/exploration of Ceramics?]

On 6/29/2021 at 9:13 AM, GEP said:

In the summer (now) I have a constant battle with humidity. Sometimes I throw pots one day, and they are not ready to trim for two days. Pots that have been drying for a week still feel damp, and it's impossible to tell if they are really damp or not. I use fans to keep the air moving in the studio, and when I run bisque firings, I roll my drying cart over next to the kiln for the warmth and the airflow from the vent.

In the winter I have the opposite problem. Thrown pots can have bone dry rims by the next morning, and pots with attachments need to be slowed down so they don't pull apart. I use sheets of fabric and plastic to control the drying.

There are a few glorious weeks in the spring and fall when I don't need to think about these things. 

Something to consider -I have installed two Mr Cool mini splits in our house in last two years (one last week)

Besides being the most effecent heat and cool heat pumps made they also have a dehumidifier function which could dry out your basement. The smallest unit is about $1,200 (they make 5 models of the DIY models)so for about $1400 total (wiring /breaker and pad) it could cool and heat and dehumidify your basement.

Of course I did all my own work and so can anyone if you are handy-check them out on You Tube-Available at all bog box stores etc. I got mine from supplyhouse.com ,no big box around here. Free shipping-they seem to be all fair priced the same everywhere.

Its a cheap option and they use very little electricity-could cure your issue and add cool or heat as well.

By the way these mini splits are all over the world especially in Asia but are just now hitting the US market. I have a solar electric system so power is alraedy paid for and these only use small amouts of electricity .They heat down to near zero degrees and cool when its hotter than a kiln-so climate location really does not matter.

[QotW: What piece of equipment that you do not have will be your next addition within the next year?]

2 hours ago, Chilly said:

I thought you were slowing down ????????

I was before covid hit and sales went thru the roof. I have not done an art show in 18 months and still, have a best year of my life sales wise.

slowing down got kicked out the studio door with orders thru the moon. I have said no to some lately.

The kiln buy has been in the  brain works for 3 years now and I still am on the fence-a smaller kiln sounds good at times

[Robert Brent Wheels -older information]

I have had a fair amount of Requests for older info on Brent wheels-all from the 70s mainly thru PM's and E-mails. I'll cover all the questions I have answered in the past years here.

This is my original Brochure from 1969-1970-I bought a model C then from Robert Brent himself. At that time the model C and CXC where the only two models he made. The CXC was a direct drive transmission and could spin a 3/4 ton truck . The model C had two separate belts. Both had flat heavy duty decks with flat formica on top. The foot pedals where like in photos not like todays models. 

You can replace the potentiometer  by following that link at top of Equipment page on Brandon's post.

The splash Pans  where galvanized sheet metal and just slid in under the wheel head with no attachment .You can make one from say a plastic bowl like container. I like to find them at Asian Markets as they have the best selections

The CXC has a 1/2 steel thick deck and weight 160#s -yes 1/2 plate steel. The Model C was 1/4 inch thick deck and weighed 120#s. I still have my model C and its heavy.

The transmission takes 90 weight oil in that CXC. 

The control boxes where metal electrical boxes and were to small for all the contents and can be replaced with deeper boxes if you are working on one.

Any rust can be neutralized using Ospho bought online or any Ace Hardware store and let set for 24 hours then spray with flat black paint after 1st wire brushing away the loose material.

If your motor is blue (its original) the brushes are not user changeable -just take it to an electric motor shop and have them change out any neaded bearings or brushes at the same time.

If you have a bearing out on the wheeled (its all one unit) you can unbolt it from deck and replace with new Brent wheelhead but the shaft size on the model C was 5/8 and the new shaft/wheelheads are 3/4 so you will need new 3/4 inch shaft belt pulley as well

In Brent wheelheads the bearing and shaft/wheelhead are one piece so you need the whole deal.. The good news is they can last a lifetime unless you are a production potter.

All newer Brent motors have user friendly replacement brushes (non Blue motors).

Hope this helps those who buy these older Brent wheels

The wiring brochure is from the old days-the last document is the spring tension on wheels from the  late 70s onward written by an old acquaintance from Amaco/ Brent  Paul Scowden

[QotW: What piece of equipment that you do not have will be your next addition within the next year?]

Well maybe just maybe a used Giel 18 cubic downdraft  front loader kiln. I always like these kilns. I have a 12 cubic footer and a 35 car kiln -the best size for me is a 24 to fill that gap. The other issue is shelve size its 14x28 so I would just leave the back of shelve up as its a ways back to them.

Its a bit late in my life but a friend died and got this kiln for him. I may buy it from his wife (I cleaned out his studio last year for her) He only fired it twice.I can close to getting myself but at the last I let him have it.

The moving it is a huge issue (I have to take his studio wall down and the logistics at each end are hard expecially his side. I need to pour a pad here for it and the overhead is tight and a small forklift is key. The 15 mile move is also an issue as I do not have a flatbed. Not sure at this age if any of this makes since for me

I'm on the fence about this whole thing.

[Problems with air-release mold]

Dryer clay will help you-as dry as you can get away with.

[Problems with air-release mold]

Never used air release mold-

I assume the air blows in not suck out so how would pure lube get in the way-lupe is like a soap mixture-slippery and doews not hgurt or clog plaster in any way.

The Texas tile maker said 150 tiles a day so have one stick for a day is a huge issue

A photo of the insides may help-I think pure lube is your friend

many use other releases but this is made to work with plaster

My gallon is about 1/2 gone after 20 years-you can buy smaller amounts

https://www.axner.com/pure-lube.aspx