Rockhound Posted April 21, 2023 Report Share Posted April 21, 2023 I want to have small open drilled holes in my pieces, maybe 1/8" in diameter. How can I prevent the glaze from filling the holes when firing? How big would the holes need to be to remain open during firing? Any help would be appreciated, thank you :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted April 21, 2023 Report Share Posted April 21, 2023 (edited) Welcome to the forum Ream them out with a needle tool after the glaze dries. Many glazes are different-shiny matt etc.I just use a needle tool and clean them. You will not notice tham once fired. For me the the hole had to be 1/4 or larger not to clean them out. To end up with a 1/8 inch hole you will need to ream out the glaze-you can also use a small hand held drill bit Edited April 21, 2023 by Mark C. Rae Reich and Hulk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterH Posted April 21, 2023 Report Share Posted April 21, 2023 From http://www.potters.org/subject03706.htm my emphasis Vince Pitelka on thu 21 nov 96 I have been putting holes on the foot(s) of my platters for hanging, and they keep >filling up with glaze. I also place holes (1/8"-dia.) through the foot of my platters. I have eliminated the problem of glaze flowing into the holes by threading a damp pipe-cleaner through the holes and leaving it there while I glaze the wares. I then remove the pipe cleaner, re-moisten it, and run it in and out of the hole a few times. This seems to remove enough glaze from around the openings that the glaze does not flow into them. Of course, I tend to apply my glazes thinly, which certainly makes them less likely to flow. - Vince Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@Dekalb.Net Phone - home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801 Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville TN 37166 Hulk, Rae Reich and Callie Beller Diesel 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockhound Posted April 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2023 Thank you, your help is much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted April 23, 2023 Report Share Posted April 23, 2023 I have used toothpicks or skewers placed befire glazing. Use the above to grab and dunk in glaze, remove before glaze dries, no chips on glaze around hole. You can get tiny "bottle" brushes these days if any need cleaning out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted April 23, 2023 Report Share Posted April 23, 2023 Thick or runny glazes can still fill small holes even if you clean them out before firing. I have always used 1/4" holes for colanders, and they almost always stay open even with double dips of glaze and no cleanout. The trick is to blow out the holes immediately after dipping before the glaze has a chance to dry in the holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted April 25, 2023 Report Share Posted April 25, 2023 If it’s just a single hole like a flower pot or in a small area like a teapot strainer, blow sharply into it while the glaze is still dripping. Hold it over the bucket to minimize splatter. That should clear enough of it out to leave it glazed, but not have it clog. This method works less well if you’re making something like a luminary or berry bowl with a lot of intricate hole patterning. +1 for not usually going under 1/4”. I like 3/8” for berry bowls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandi G Posted September 7, 2023 Report Share Posted September 7, 2023 I am having trouble when I make pipes. Some of my pipes are not straight so blowing them out sometimes doesn’t work and the hole is clogged with glaze after firing. What can I do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted September 8, 2023 Report Share Posted September 8, 2023 Could try plugging each end of the hole with...blue tack?, soap?, wax? Match stick? Pre glazing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterH Posted September 8, 2023 Report Share Posted September 8, 2023 Do you want/need the inside of the tube glazed? Would some sort of bellows help you blow out the glaze -- e.g. an air-filed glaze trailer. Pipe cleaners, or a more durable equivalent such as: 5 x Straw Cleaning Pipe Cleaners kit, Bristle Metal Pipe Cleaner for Drinking Straws, easy to brush and clean pipes, Pipe Cleaner Kit, Straw Cleaner Brush and kit for craft supplies https://tinyurl.com/5ftme7n7 Babs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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