eloiseceramics Posted June 26, 2016 Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 Hi all! I just got a couple ^5 pieces out of the kiln that I had glazed all over and used stilts. I know stilt marks are unavoidable and simply just a part of the process if glazing all over, but I was wondering if there was any way to make them look nicer? I used a dremel (probably not the right bit) to grind the marks down, but it made the high-gloss black look crappy and the product just looks sloppy now. I saw somewhere that someone used nail polish to touch up the marks, but I feel like that will also look sloppy. I was considering some sort of gloss spray but have never tried anything like that. Anyone have any tips/suggestions (besides telling me to not glaze all over)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted June 26, 2016 Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 try the simple stilts made of only clay without all those metal points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eloiseceramics Posted June 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 try the simple stilts made of only clay without all those metal points. Is that something I could make myself with some clay? I will definitely look into those for my future pieces. Do you know of any tricks for touching these marks though, or are these pieces junk? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted June 26, 2016 Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 I think you probably got the right answer. Not the right bit. Not something I have done though but I think you need to polish it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted June 26, 2016 Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 I'm not sure why one needs to glaze everything. Pottery feet left unglazed is just part of the process. If you want to continue hiding all makes of the process-use the ceramic stilts and the tips will snap off. Then use a wet lap polisher (these I warn you are a bit spendy) bit will smooth the marks best so they are less noticeable . You already have learned that certain glazes will show the marks more than others. If the pots are for you just rub a little mineral oil (food grade ) on the grind marks to gloss the grinding marks. Forget about paint and nail polish. stilt marks as well as unglazed feet are all part of the process and showing is part of that to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnolia Mud Research Posted June 26, 2016 Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 I often use sea shells as stilts for glazed pieces, especially on celadon and shino work, but most of my work follows Mark C.'s of bare clay where it sits on the kiln shelf. LT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celia UK Posted June 27, 2016 Report Share Posted June 27, 2016 In my experience you still have to dremel off the 3 points from the tripod ceramic stilts. One potter I know, teaches students to put 3 small dots of wax on the base, for the 3 stilt points to rest on. This stops the stilts fusing on to the base and you are left with 3 neat unglazed dots. Trickiest thing is to align the stilt on the dots and then place it all on the shelf without moving the stilt. Works if you can do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyK Posted June 27, 2016 Report Share Posted June 27, 2016 If you insist on using the stilts with the metal pins, you might consider removing the 2 inner pins on each leg. This will leave you with just 3 marks to repair instead of 9, and still maintain stability. JohnnyK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiselleNo5 Posted June 28, 2016 Report Share Posted June 28, 2016 I use star stilts pretty frequently and I've found it's best to coat the bottom with fewer coats if you're going to use them. The glaze doesn't look as appealing but it IS the bottom of the piece, at least it's still glazed, and the points pop right out without leaving huge gaping holes in the glaze because the shallower glaze didn't attach as much to them. There are stilts with fewer contact points that we use: http://www.bigceramicstore.com/roselli-triangle-firing-stilts-with-metal-wires-a10.html Also consider using a contrasting slip or an engobe to put a little design on the bottom. Slip and engobe won't stick but it adds a design element to the base to keep it from being plain and boring. I love adding little surprise details on the base like that and often customers comment on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perkolator Posted July 15, 2016 Report Share Posted July 15, 2016 There's a company called CI Products/DiamondCore Tools - they are/were a vendor at NCECA for the past few years. They carry diamondcore tools for doing this type of stuff - bits for rotary tools, sanding pads, polishing bits, etc. Anyways, with some tapered down abrasives from them you can get your glaze spots pretty smooth. An individual in my studio has been doing this on her work - she's been glazing these pieces all the way around and uses stilts, so of course has some cleanup work to do. Getting pretty good results, but not perfectly glassy yet. I'm sure this is a skill to learn just like everything else. For most people it's likely easier to just leave a bare spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted July 16, 2016 Report Share Posted July 16, 2016 Perkolator, I did some serious damage at that booth. I love the diamond hole cutter bit. I perforated a kiln shelf for my small demo kiln. Got some diamond core bits and a grinding pad for cleaning up wood fired pots. I would recommend the diapad or diamond core bits for removing stilt marks. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cline Campbell Pottery Posted July 17, 2016 Report Share Posted July 17, 2016 I get very fine watersand papesr at the car parts store (in my area, Pep Boys). It comes in grits up to 6000 (not a typo, six thousand). Use your machine and maybe those foam emery boards from Sally or other salon supply places. Work from rough to finer and finer. I've never used six thou, never needed to. Cynthia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwinRocks Posted July 21, 2016 Report Share Posted July 21, 2016 Not a big fan of the porcelain stilts either. A lot of the time the fine points are already broken off, and if you reuse them, you have a thicker nub stuck in the glaze so they are pretty much one time use. I went back to dry foot, some with glaze inside the footring. I've also had pieces drift a little on stilts, leaving the mark off to the side rather than centered...looks terrible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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