liambesaw

But do you consider a giffin grip technology? Or something that fundamentally changes the way pottery is made?  I don't really think its analogous.  The same for electric kilns or kick wheels or electric wheels.  They're all improvements or changes to traditional pottery techniques and don't remove the craftsman from the crafting.  Since I seem to be alone in my opinion, I feel like I need to clarify.  I'm not a traditionalist or technophobe.  There is definitely space for 3D printers in pottery, and I have examples of what I consider a proper use for them.  But fully printing pots is not one of them.  If you designed something, that does not mean you crafted it.  You don't call an architect a builder.  You don't call a fashion designer a seamstress.  Of course they can be both, but being one doesn't make you the other.  When you fully print a pot, it is outsourcing the labor to a machine.  Just like a building developer would outsource design to an architect and the building to a carpenter. 
 
 

I guess we old guys have seen a lot of tech happen over the years, but then again maybe the correct word would be innovation for some. I look at the marvels of the kiln controllers of today remembering why my kiln was purchased without a setter. Major change in innovation, and technology. I also understand the reluctance of 3D printing but realize that many of us are using computer controlled cutters to make stencils and decorating forms. All the way you look at it.
 
Glad to have found a topic that generates some traffic!
 
 
best,
Pres

The big innovations since I started in clay are good electric wheels (ones that have power and variable speed control)-this was a. GAME CHANGER in the early 70s
Electric wheels in the 60s where horiable comepared to whats out there now.They where mostly AC with bad speed control.
The switch to Dc motors was a major improvement-I credit Robert Breent for this at that time. Soon they all followed.
Computerized kilns -both in gas and electric. Now its more of control and time saving-Zone control really is sweet for those who need it.-(not me)
You can argue griffen grips as they sped me up about 30% -50% in trimming-another game changer for us production potters
Kiln shelves which is really a major deal with the this strong non warping shelves-like advancers -huge game changer for me as I have piles of all the earlier shelves from mulite to sicone carbide to dry poressed English ones. They all where thick -heavy-and warped over time at cone 11. now its lite and flat and take up 1/3 the space-maybe the most game changer in terms of more wares in the kiln.
Now many of these really are not needed in hobby market but all are beneficial to us all.
The last mention iare vacuum combo mixer /puggers. Really another game changer fro production potters-time and ease of working with clay that you make to fit your needs.
I will think of more later after this expresso sinks in -back to the shop now as its xmas crazy production now
full speed ahead dam the torpedoes
 
On those older wheels that where not very good-The names I recall  as I thre on them all when learning where- 
Skutt-had a string out the side witgh a piece of wood for the foot pedal-poor speed control but buildt in spolash pan as oart of unit
Amaco -looks like a Buck Roger space wheel-super gear box but speed control was poor.
Oscar Paul--white enamel metal reminded  me of a bicycle-poor speed control

I think I can agree with your point. Personally for me I like technology but also dislike when that same technology replaces basic learning. It often can serve to improve learning but as folks get lazy their skills go away, even for teachers. It’s just a personal thing with me as a teacher. 3D printing likely makes you a better ........... 3D printer using clay as a medium. It’s ok, just not all that impressive or indicative of ones mastery of pottery.  The griffin grip, electric kiln, controls, natural gas, propane .......  arguments are a bit weak in my opinion as they replace manual skills or basic brain skills or are  just another fuel source.
Very few folks have a clear concept of firing rates, now why is that? How can you finish school and not be able to at least know the basics of bisque firing and glaze firing or how do cones work. Maybe they are not discussed because we automated all of that out and it’s boring to teach, or learn?
It’s interesting in twenty years of  adjunct teaching HVAC my first question in a balancing class was always how do you pick the size of the very first piece of ductwork. Similar to asking the basic stages of clay construction. The answer is super simple, the answers I received were never even close. These were adults in the very last portion of the program. All of that had gone by the wayside in teaching and learning I guess.
And no , no technophobe here, just finishing probably 500 lines of Visual Basic for some significant energy worksheets right at this moment.

But do you consider a giffin grip technology? Or something that fundamentally changes the way pottery is made?  I don't really think its analogous.  The same for electric kilns or kick wheels or electric wheels.  They're all improvements or changes to traditional pottery techniques and don't remove the craftsman from the crafting.  Since I seem to be alone in my opinion, I feel like I need to clarify.  I'm not a traditionalist or technophobe.  There is definitely space for 3D printers in pottery, and I have examples of what I consider a proper use for them.  But fully printing pots is not one of them.  If you designed something, that does not mean you crafted it.  You don't call an architect a builder.  You don't call a fashion designer a seamstress.  Of course they can be both, but being one doesn't make you the other.  When you fully print a pot, it is outsourcing the labor to a machine.  Just like a building developer would outsource design to an architect and the building to a carpenter. 
 
 

Interesting how the discussion quickly centered on 3D printing! I like what Tom noted about how much technology we use in the first place, and have ever since we figured out how to light a fire. I had never seen anything 3D printed and had a terrible time even grasping how you could end up with a physical dimensional object. My potters' guild had a meeting at the University of New Hampshire ceramics studio (literally a year ago) and I was introduced to these pieces. They were the first ones that one of their student's had successfully printed after many weeks of study, designing, trial & error etc.  I do not find them cold or empty or "too-too" computerized--I am in awe that this can be done with clay via some weird process via some weird machine! And I am grateful that I won't be drummed out of the club because I use commercial materials, use mostly pre-programmed programs in an electric kiln, and have no clue what a si:al ratio is (and, gasp, don't care either). At one time, W.G. Lawrence's Ceramic Science for the Potter & Daniel Rhodes Clay & Glazes for the Potter were my bibles and I actually knew/practiced the stuff! Does lacking that knowledge (now) make me not an artist? You bet your sweet bippy it does not.  My cognition/memory retention is shot to smithereens due to minor (relatively speaking) TBI. Doesn't change my motivation, taste, ethics, vision or desire to satisfy Self and others with what I make; as such technology is just a tool and one I'm grateful for. I'd love the chance to use a 3D printer, at least as a starting point-that Simpson piece is luscious!!  I ain't scared of no bot overlords.

I refuse to build an automatic kiln control, only monitors so one can learn to master their trade and more clearly asssociate what you see and hear with what is going on. I am speaking reduction of course, automatic kiln controls for electrics have already destroyed teaching rates and  schedules and what happens when and why. 
 See the reduction level? Now look at the flame every time and draw experience from it. Automation and gauges and pyrometers all good tools to help you learn things so you can go experiment and apply your artful thinking. Master your 3 D printer, meh. Does it allow you to learn ceramics, maybe. Maybe it forces you to master the 3D thing, which is ok I guess. I am pretty good at Autocad  and it’s a nice tool but buildings get built well when folks master their trade. Autocad is a small component of the lifetime of knowledge one needs to be effective.

Lol gross, but I think you get what I meant.

not  a chance !!!!!  please, say it isn't so!

Haha, but what would be the point of programming humanity into 3d printed clay?  To make creativity more economic?  It doesn't make any sense to me.

Since air is so thin when it's past say 1000 degrees, is there really much convection happening?  I have a feeling a kiln with a vent is 1000 times more efficient since there's no draft in an electric kiln.  Is that right? Or is the gas exchange not really that significant in an electric kiln.  I've never had carbon coring or anything in an electric kiln, regardless of peep arrangement.

Since air is so thin when it's past say 1000 degrees, is there really much convection happening?  I have a feeling a kiln with a vent is 1000 times more efficient since there's no draft in an electric kiln.  Is that right? Or is the gas exchange not really that significant in an electric kiln.  I've never had carbon coring or anything in an electric kiln, regardless of peep arrangement.

I try not to get comfortable with a weight, so while I can throw 8lb cylinders fairly thin, I always try to get bigger, 10lb, 15lb, 20lb, etc.  I feel like if I stay at 8lbs which is plenty for most everything functional, I'll never get better.  My problem once I hit 15lbs or so is that no matter how much I pull it seems like the cylinder walls thicken up again as soon as I start shaping.  It's difficult to use a lot of muscle while at the same time tryin to maintain even distance between my hands.  Working on it though!
I usually will only wedge 10lbs in a lump, anything more I cant get my hands around and I still haven't even come close with spiral wedging, that's some voodoo magic I think I need someone to teach me in real life.

Two bisque loads to be glazes today and two glaze kilns loaded. Fire on Tuesday.Holiday sales have started

Bel Decal’s instructions say that their metallic and china paint decals can be used on glass. So I assume it can be done. But I also know that some stained glass doesn’t do well with heat. Check what the glass manufacturer says about the specific colour way you’re using. 

I had a great time last weekend glazing a full 8 piece dinnerware set.  Opened the kiln a few days later to crawling on 75% of it.  I had a feeling something awful would happen when I saw a few cracks in the glaze; smoothed the cracks in and fired anyway.  
So this weekend I'm throwing another 8 piece dinnerware set and defloccing the glaze this time.
 
 

Today a little production for Saturdays bisque fire
Mugs (1 1/4 #ers) and some meduim bowls as well as cereal bowls
all porcelain -mugs got finished today as did the cereal bowls ,all trimmed, larger bowls  will be trimmed in am tomorrow .
The sun is loosing its heat and will not be able to dry  pots outside by Halloween -then its cook them and me until xmas inside.
 

Also hit the pottery supply place and picked up another half ton of porcelain... Yes... Another stoneware potter caught the porcelain bug...
Could be worse I suppose, but I finally found a porcelain that I love.
CKK6 from Seattle Pottery Supply, great stuff if anyone in the Seattle area has been looking for a good throwing porcelain.  Not translucent or anything but glaze looks fantastic on it and it doesn't turn to a puddle when you're throwing.

So it depends on what I'm doing.  For forms I make repeats of, I have a master for each form.  It says on the bottom the weight of clay that is used to make it.  I put it on the wheel, set a gauge, and then I am up and away making them.
For plates it's easy.  12 inch bat, open to the edge, pull the edge in to the pins and then pull the wall and lay it down.  It always ends in a 12 inch plate.  I use 4lbs for a 12 inch plate.
 

That looks really nice callie, I'd definitely keep my berries in that bowl

More photo play.

Yikes!  I hope stem cell joint therapy is finally FDA approved by the time I get arthritis.  I know I can't afford it now, but there's a chance in the future I could if insurance covered part!  Amazing how you can regrow cartridge with those therapies, and despicable how they are keeping it unapproved to make money.
 

Workbeanch had two glaze fires on it today (been glazing all day) now they are loaded and will fire tommorrow-thursday bench will have two glaze fires on it.The beat goes on-big fall orders getting filled.

Thanks for the kudos! Here is the awarded submission and the PDF of the news article... citrusheightssentinel.com-Meet John Klunder the Citrus Heights man who works wonders with ceramics.pdf

I had a great time last weekend glazing a full 8 piece dinnerware set.  Opened the kiln a few days later to crawling on 75% of it.  I had a feeling something awful would happen when I saw a few cracks in the glaze; smoothed the cracks in and fired anyway.  
So this weekend I'm throwing another 8 piece dinnerware set and defloccing the glaze this time.