HoneyBee Pottery Posted November 5, 2022 Report Share Posted November 5, 2022 I am delighted to have my own home pottery studio this year and am making great strides! My problem is handles cracking! Here are my steps to avoid cracking:: I pull (vs extrude) handles -> allow to dry just enough to handle -> shape similar to how it will be attached and let dry a bit more -> attach to body which is just dry enough to trim -> paint entire handle with wax resist -> enclose with plastic on a damp shelf - upside down - for several days… and I STILL lose multiple handles to cracking! Not at the join but mid-handle. What am I doing wrong?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted November 5, 2022 Report Share Posted November 5, 2022 Your handles have lost plasticity due to the drying you are doing. When your pots shrink, the pot shrinks more than the handle but the handle has already mostly dried. I would imagine the cracks are in the same place at the arch of the curve? Try putting the handles on right after trimming the pot, join them with slip or magic water, reinforce join, use you damp finger to pull/shape the handle and set aside for the next one. When done cover all with plastic over bat and then let dry. All IMHO best, Pres Russ and Rae Reich 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted November 5, 2022 Report Share Posted November 5, 2022 3 hours ago, HoneyBee Pottery said: and I STILL lose multiple handles to cracking! Not at the join but mid-handle. What am I doing wrong?! Post a picture or two of the cracked handle and mug. Pres 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted November 5, 2022 Report Share Posted November 5, 2022 What clay body are you using? Pres 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyBee Pottery Posted November 6, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2022 Thanks - I am using a brown speckled stoneware. I understand body and handle should be as close as possible to same moisture content and slow drying is critical. But body needs to be dry enough to trim and handles dry enough to physically handle w/o destroying surface and also be able to somewhat hold desired shape… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted November 6, 2022 Report Share Posted November 6, 2022 3 hours ago, HoneyBee Pottery said: I am using a brown speckled stoneware I still think pictures of the failures would help folks formulate a more informed opinion or basis for other questions. Post some if you have any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rae Reich Posted November 6, 2022 Report Share Posted November 6, 2022 (edited) Pre-drying the handles before attaching might be the cause. You end up re-manipulating the curve(s) to match the pot, which can stress the handle right where you rebend it. Try attaching and forming them when the clay is less firm, you’ll become accustomed to shaping the clay without deforming it. Drying upside down allows gravity to help the handle keep the shape and retards the drying of the piece. Covering with plastic is good if there are drafts. Not sure waxing is needed. Edited November 6, 2022 by Rae Reich Pres 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly in AK Posted November 6, 2022 Report Share Posted November 6, 2022 Waxing the entire handle ? I wouldn’t do that. They’re cracking mid handle, which suggests your attachments are solid. Like Bill said, a photo makes less guesswork for people who want to help. Extruded handles may have some “memory” issues that could be eliminated when you shape them. Callie Beller Diesel, Pres and Rae Reich 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyBee Pottery Posted November 7, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2022 Thanks guys. Technology confounding me once again. I tried to share photo and informed file was too big. Gotta figure out that hurdle now… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyK Posted November 7, 2022 Report Share Posted November 7, 2022 1 hour ago, HoneyBee Pottery said: Thanks guys. Technology confounding me once again. I tried to share photo and informed file was too big. Gotta figure out that hurdle now… What are you using to take the pix? Phone (what type: Android or iPhone) or camera? Do you have photo software? I'm guessing, no... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted November 7, 2022 Report Share Posted November 7, 2022 @HoneyBee Pottery, if you are having trouble with the pictures, try this strand that is a tutorial on using win10 tools to size pictures for posting. best, Pres Rae Reich 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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