oldlady Posted April 2, 2021 Report Share Posted April 2, 2021 looking for a material to use as a bat having a groove included in the design. can use any material but i think plaster is not my first choice. plaster with that hardening ingredient is possible but i would rather use a wood or wood-like thick material. a local woodworker could rout the groove where i want it for two or more size plates. i know some of you work with other materials, got any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted April 2, 2021 Report Share Posted April 2, 2021 For making slab plates or for throwing on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted April 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2021 both, neil. i would like to try slabs that have impressed gingko leaves. if i can put a ring of clay into the groove so it will stick to the bottom of the slab, i can lift the edges easily enough for a rim. if i throw one, i can avoid trimming. lifting the rim is easy. i got the recipe used in making plaster tile molds from a friend, joan gardiner in unison, va that includes hydrocal which makes them stronger and they last a long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyK Posted April 3, 2021 Report Share Posted April 3, 2021 Corian is a material that comes to mind. Another that would be less expensive would be MDF. I would think that the MDF would work if it was sealed to keep it from absorbing water... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted April 3, 2021 Report Share Posted April 3, 2021 I'd get some of the thicker mdf or glue two masonite bats together and then have your friend route a foot into it. The problem may be when it comes to releasing. Plaster would be best so it releases without tearing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted April 3, 2021 Report Share Posted April 3, 2021 Plaster really would be the best material, especially if you're throwing on it. A thick piece of Medex (exterior MDF) would be the best option after plaster, but it's hard to find. You could just buy Medex bats and glue a couple together with a waterproof glue (Gorilla glue), and then route in the foot ring. The problem with regular MDF and Masonite is the cut edge is very porous compared to the hard surface, so your foot groove will be an area will it can take in water easily, and delaminate from the inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bam2015 Posted April 4, 2021 Report Share Posted April 4, 2021 Oldlady, if you are trying to do what I think you are trying to do, then this is an ingenious solution. I hope that you will keep us posted and show us what you come up with. Betty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted April 4, 2021 Report Share Posted April 4, 2021 use plaster as it sucks the water out and will last long enough. Hydracal is even tougher and will last longer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawnhar Posted April 5, 2021 Report Share Posted April 5, 2021 Dangit, now I want some bats with a foot ring! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokey2 Posted April 6, 2021 Report Share Posted April 6, 2021 I made foot ring bat a few years ago using MDF. The plate was thrown and finished at 12" while still green. Its nearly impossible to get the plate off the bat without deforming it. I then made a smaller second bat that would fit inside the plate's rim so I can turn over the plate with it still on the foot ring bat. Not any better, still way to fussy. I now flip the plate (when stiffened, but still green) onto the smaller bat and attach foot ring(s). Way, way faster and so much easier to deal with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted April 6, 2021 Report Share Posted April 6, 2021 When I started throwing patens 25 years ago, I did a whole lot of problem solving with bats. The best bat I found for making a wheel or slab made pot was a very low dome that I threw the ring into. The second best was a cylindrical bat with a plate impression of low dome and foot groove. Why not use the second all the time? I had to make certain to get the paten off of the form at the perfect time, too early and the form slumped, too late the ring tore slightly. You have to remember I was interested in making 20 or so at a time. Never was good at timing. best, Pres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted April 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2021 lots of ideas, thanks, guys. busy getting ready for a show on mothers' day weekend and enjoying my first spring here in 14 years. wow, daffodils multiply in that time! planting roses today. your suggestions are very helpful, it seems plaster might be best. hmmmm... wonder how a round bat that is taller than the one that it fits into might work? like my 5 inch square inserts do. will visit joan gardiner about some details and let you know what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted April 6, 2021 Report Share Posted April 6, 2021 If you’re handbuilding, you could make a few bisquware pukis. I’ve made a couple for a friend in the past. Throw a bowl shape with the curve you want, and then carve a depression (similar to routing wood) that would be the shape of your foot ring. It would work better than the wood version, because the bisque is porous, and would release the clay better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted April 7, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2021 wonderful suggestion! i work with many models for texture with bisqued raku clay so it is just right at cone 06. thank you, callie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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