Brooklyn Mom Posted January 7, 2021 Report Share Posted January 7, 2021 Hello All, I’ll be experimenting with clear glazes from John Britt’s book and wondering which Bentonite is the right one to use. There are a few options available; Bentonite HPM-20, Bentonite Volclay 200 mesh, Bentonite 325 mesh, Hectalite Bentonite. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Which is the best one? Thank you in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted January 7, 2021 Report Share Posted January 7, 2021 I don't think it matters, it's simply a strong plasticiser in his book and 99% of those glazes don't even need 2% bentonite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooklyn Mom Posted January 7, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2021 Thanks Liam! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sorcery Posted January 7, 2021 Report Share Posted January 7, 2021 Just don't buy the cosmetics one for $80/oz.! Sorce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted January 7, 2021 Report Share Posted January 7, 2021 7 minutes ago, Sorcery said: Just don't buy the cosmetics one for $80/oz.! Sorce Why? Is it different? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted January 7, 2021 Report Share Posted January 7, 2021 6 hours ago, Sig Student said: Can anyone point me in the right direction? Which is the best one? Thank you in advance. Generally bentonite is added as a suspender for glazes that lack the ability to stay suspended. Bentonite generally is limited to no more than 2% addition and really does not add anything to the glaze in terms of functional Chems. Clay is a good suspender so when folks design glazes they try to have between 10-20% clay to reduce the need for suspenders like bentonite. The best one is the one not needed, meaning design with enough clay when possible.. The next best is probably what is easiest to mix in so finer would be better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted January 7, 2021 Report Share Posted January 7, 2021 Cosmetic grade bentonite, <$2/lb (US), bulk price, and up (way up), wow, I had no idea. Bentonite is FDA approved for use in food, wow 2. The pottery suppliers I've used carry one or two choices, significantly cheaper than that marketed as cosmetic and/or food grade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooklyn Mom Posted January 7, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2021 Thanks Bill! This is really good info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyK Posted January 9, 2021 Report Share Posted January 9, 2021 On 1/6/2021 at 6:17 PM, Bill Kielb said: Clay is a good suspender so when folks design glazes they try to have between 10-20% clay to reduce the need for suspenders I've found that a belt can also be used to reduce the need for suspenders but the ones made with clay tend to fall apart... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted January 9, 2021 Report Share Posted January 9, 2021 40 minutes ago, JohnnyK said: I've found that a belt can also be used to reduce the need for suspenders but the ones made with clay tend to fall apart... Sounds like many things really really need to remain suspended! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glazenerd Posted January 15, 2021 Report Share Posted January 15, 2021 The best commercial suspender widely available is BentoneMA. This product is highly refined hectorite. you need to disperse any suspender in dry ingredients before water is added. Bentonite is a rather poor suspender; but it is cheap and gets the job done. Cosmetic bentonite are highly refined in order to get USPS- food safe grading stamps. I use USPS food grade zinc in recipes intended for functional use. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooklyn Mom Posted January 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2021 Thank you glaze nerd. Really good to know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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