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Hulk

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Everything posted by Hulk

  1. I've used countersink on small holes - the angle is steeper, hence I prefer a larger drill bit to chamfer larger holes...
  2. I'm using drill bits for holes - drains, and particularly, hollowing out knobs; I like the clay spiraling out! ...if the clay is a bit damp, then the chips stick in the flutes, hence a hole may take a few steps... from there, a larger bit makes a nice chamfer. I'll start with pilot hole, then move up to a larger bit... Cutting fluid, that's a good idea Chilly!
  3. Our weather finally turned, we got much needed rain and it's soo cold I'm wearing shoes and long pants inna studio now, too cold for flip flops an' shorts. Clay is stacked up in the other garage, not likely to ever freeze; we get frost on rooftops several times a year, have yet to see any frost on th' ground. A few miles inland it gets cooler, not so much here, with the Pacific close enough to hear and smell. Last spring I scoffed at warm throwing water, then turned right around and added from the warm tap, heh, got the horse laugh from our teacher. It was 40F outside this a.m.; hence 50s in the studio; I'm going to put a bag of clay inside to warm up for later.
  4. uh-oh, it's raining hard today, class last wet clay day ...wow, th' drops are bouncin', Pittsburg style. Time t'pack the torch an' get to class early
  5. Them lil' split units are what the mute cat lost - 'cept where it's so cold that there's not much heat to pump in, and where it's soo hot it's hard to pump it out! Our son has'm in his block house, very nice! ...not sure what the upper and lower outside temp thresholds are - there are occasional frosts where he is, and although heat does get to 110s (F), the outside units are onna shade side.
  6. Good question! ...ah don't know yet, still learning. A few weeks in, centering clay started to get easier; some semblance of control started to come (and go) months later. Along the way commitment to preppin' that clay settled in, and it occurred to me there may be a reason why about half o'th'lumps behave better - 50/50 chance on which way the lump is turned up? For sure a slightly dry side, a bubble, a streak of harder/softer clay - any inconsistency - be causin' problems. Too soft and not soft enough can be frustrating as well. Back to the 50/50, I've been experimenting with fellow students at the JC (the ones really struggling); I'll offer to wedge up some clay, which I turn up left side for counterclockwise throwers (right side for me and the leftists), then ask later on how that worked out. Each and every one had a better experience. Hmmm, wedge? Pay attention to which way the clay swirls? What say you all? When we touch the spinning clay, it drags, causing the clay to swirl/spin, yes? Any road, still later on, further commitment to prep, in coning up and down at least three times, gettin' that clay centered up such that there's no perceptible runout - none. From there, consistent (if slow) progress... Still later, finally realize that clay remembers everything! e.g. when coning, particularly up, rushing a bit causes the clay to shear - those shear lines bite back soon enough. From there, a few little light bulbs lit up! ...'bout eight months in now, working on repeat work; not that I particularly want to do production - I do want the develop the skill, and there's some improvement lately, however, long way to go. All that said, keep at it, don't give up, practice, practice, and there isn't one right way - find what works for you, e.g., I'm right handed, but turn clockwise; I have problems with fine control in my right hand between about bellybutton to forehead, so left hand support/help is needed for trimming and centering, etc.; I've no feeling on outside half of right middle finger, which I keep forgetting, haha
  7. Also interested; pottery is a new activity for me - set up at home with a wheel and old electric since April, first bisque and glaze firings last month. Was curious earlier why not reduction in an electric kiln, but soon read about the problem with elements. I'm still curious why kiln people aren't using oxygen sensors; there's at least one in every car now (guessing that high temp CO detectors are not available, else not cheap). My (thin) understanding is "reduction" means significant CO levels in the kiln...
  8. ,) Nice view! Congrats on your kiln shed expansion.
  9. Nice! ...is that a window in the wall behind the kiln, or a tv?
  10. fwiw, my post to qotw has more t'do with "what is art" (and what is not art) than value of formal education; all good tho', carry on! Th' topics weave together, surely.
  11. "Any road, formal education/training (that isn't crap) is worth it, imo, howeber, you gonna suffer, an' one can't go back neither. " Oh dear! My undergrad, English, was from departments that mostly serve the rest of the Universities (Cal States SLO and Hayward); looking back, a good mix of courses, and several profs who engaged, cared, and taught*. My overgrad, Computer Science, was from a department (also a Cal State) that mostly serves itself and seems to operate on principle of anyone who can survive artificially difficult curriculum will make the school look good, where a few maverick profs engaged, cared, and taught, and the rest can go to th'hot place! Ahem, I'd classify both experiences as mostly not crap. In short, the opportunities changed my life. imo, much of what there is to experience in school is related to - it's magic, isn't it? - the group dynamic! ...assemble people who are interested in similar things and watch what happens! Well, I'm (fresh, three months in) retired, taking the second of three JC courses now (they aren't very formal - access to the lab, a bit of demo/instruction, then go! + the group dynamic); doesn't look like any formal Ceramic ed in my future. That said, I'm devouring books, articles, utube vids, online forums ...so much to learn! Finding a Pottery community, that might be a challenge. This forum is awesome! In person people - there's some potters around here... *taught, as in focus on objectives - clearly stated, carefully considered specific measurable outcomes. Aaah, between the aforementioned English and CS degrees, I'd a year Credential program. My Master Teacher made rather a case for objectives!
  12. Thanks Min, thanks Liambesaw! Search string "woven wire 80 mesh stainless" generates sufficient hits for me ...seeing need for smaller sieves (I have a few 5 gallon bucket size) for test batches o'glaze, etc.
  13. Min, curious what you're using for screen? The several AeroPress discs can be had reasonable, however, I'm not finding what mesh they are.
  14. I'm also curious 'bout what type of line you're using GEP; there are many single and multiple strand options in stainless steel (and titanium), e.g. https://afwfishing.com/afw_products/K175T-0.asp Likely braided dacron (or other synthetical stuff) would work as well... oh! there's a reply! ...will try't with multiple strands of braided dacron (bass line), as I don' have any shark leader in th' tackle box.
  15. Oooh, that'd be good for the framers (house in progress next door) - they start at seben a.m.!
  16. "If I lived nearby, I would do the eight hour shifts for you." Me too. As for what I think/feel/do regarding limitations, I'm very lucky to be able to adjust for weak and sore thumbs (and a few other minor problems). In public settings, I can hold my breath and/or walk away when artificial fragrances loom. Unfortunately, it's not a "real thing" for many - my "doctor" (looking for a new one), my employer (former, retired early), ceramics instructor (so farr, staying upwind of the two stinkers is working; when the weather turns cold and the doors close, weelll, I'll just open the doors, or go home), etc. I'm lucky!
  17. We read John Barth's short story "Lost in the Funhouse" in undergrad English (literature concentration); when/if one has seen and understood how the funhouse works, one can't very well go back to and have the first time through experience again. The concept might go somewhar near "knowledge is suffering" - suffer to get it, suffer because of it, and then suffer some more. Is it worth it? Uuuhm, o'course't!! Whal, writing as art or not art might be easier to agree on that ceramic work ...or is it? Any road, formal education/training (that isn't crap) is worth it, imo, howeber, you gonna suffer, an' one can't go back neither.
  18. Surround sound! Finally put the old Yamaha 5.1 speaker set to use, having found a used amplifier bargain in local nextdoor.com; mounted up high (angled down a bit), they're out of the way and not blasting the neighbors (much). Aaaah, higher fidelity for my old ears, and inputs for the multiple sources.
  19. "Repeat ware" is my current (self)challenge. Looks like some of the small studio folk roun' heah do repeats, some don't. I want to learn the control to do repeats if/when I want to - mugs, tumblers, bowls, plates, vases, lidded jars - all that ...expecting to see improvement by Xmas.
  20. "So the pool.." aaah, got exited there for a few seconds! Hulk was a swimmer (still hittin' the pool two or three times a week) back in th'day. Ahem, I'm with you Pres; water, and cleaner water, then cloth rag/towel when dry hand is necessary. I do use the cute little round sponge, however, the Hulk size sponge gets a lot more use, for cleaning hands, wheel, tools, bats, etc., and pieces cut from Hulk size sponge (search "grout sponge") see more use on pots (thanks Bill VG for purpose cut shape idea). The towel comes in handy when something needs dry right now - typically hands or bat, most else can take its time drying up. From there, I'm pouring off the clear water and settling the clay for reclaim. The clay-y clothes, rags, apron, etc. get two soak and rinse cycles before laundry, also with you there Pres. I use paper towels to clean my bike, blot water drops off my glasses after soap and water wash, then re-use them to wipe up bird crap. That's Jack, admiring brand new wheel (last Fall). Years in the trades almost cured me o'wipin'me hands on trouser legs ...almost.
  21. Good question (for any/every thing). Forty-three years ago, starting post-secondary at the local Junior Collage, hand building was a pre-req for Wheel I - I wanted to try throwing, finally got a round tuit (my Mom had one; now it's in a drawer here somewhere...) ...and, fate, at the same local Junior Collage. Last day of the semester is next week. We found me a lightly used wheel; it's in the garage, and being used more now. We also found a heavily used kiln, which may be ready to fire about the time there's enough stuff to fill't'up. The woman selling the kiln was planning to go to something smaller, as the back acts up on account o' the heavy shelves, etc. (methink she also deserves a nice new one with electronic contortion). She said she was introduced to clay thirty-eight years ago, "...and it changed my life." lol, yeah. I'm really enjoying it! Why? It's more than finding something to be absorbed in and passionate about. It's more than replacing work (sshh, don't tell'm I fquit sometime between tomorrow and this time next year, shush!). It's more than the peace and joy of doing, more than producing functional and beautiful (err, less ugly?) things. ...don't know what exactly the "more" is; perhaps it doesn't matter.
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