Ilenalee 0 Posted July 5, 2020 Report Share Posted July 5, 2020 I’ve been doing some experimenting with natural clays I’ve hunted down in my area. I’ve found one that fires well, but dries slower than any clay I have ever worked with. Anyone know what the chemistry of that might be? Or what might be a fix? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
glazenerd 1,641 Posted July 5, 2020 Report Share Posted July 5, 2020 Organics: most likely Ord or Muck variety humus. Both carry very high CEC values (plasticity), as both absorb and hold moisture. Not uncommon for these materials to take several days longer to dry compared to commercial clay. You cab burn off Organics by heating up to 1150F. Organics may be the only plastic material in your wild clay: burning them off might have adverse effects. Testing is the only way to know. There is a Facebook group- "Wild Clay Club" devoted exclusively to processing/firing locally sourced clays. Not many threads about it on this site. Tom Hulk 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jrgpots 274 Posted July 5, 2020 Report Share Posted July 5, 2020 bentonite clays also dry slowly Pres and Hulk 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Magnolia Mud Research 721 Posted July 5, 2020 Report Share Posted July 5, 2020 Add some “wild sand” to open the clay body. Min 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sorcery 209 Posted July 6, 2020 Report Share Posted July 6, 2020 Dying from processed, wet, is different from the wet we get from the store. It could be just that much more water. Blow on it! Sorce Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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