Rockhopper Posted March 30 Report Share Posted March 30 I have an old birdbath base that I'm considering making a new top for, and looking for recommendations for a clay body. I've been using Standard 112 and some Laguna #70 WC611 - but am wondering if maybe I should use something different for a larger, flatter form. My local supplier stocks several of Standard's clays, and some Laguna - and will special-order from either if I'm willing to wait to have it shipped with their next stock order. Would also appreciate any tips - do or don't - from anyone that's made birdbaths or similar outdoor pots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 Are you in an area that has freezing temps during the winter and would the birdbath be left outdoors year round? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 A few years ago and older gentleman (bowling buddy) asked me to make him one to fit on his base as he had left the old bowl out in the winter. I have a plaster form that fits on the wheel that is a low dome about 20" across. I used a SC 630 at the time, and it did take me a few days to figure out how to make it right. I ended up throwing the bottom on the dome using a 2 inch thick slab that I pulled out to about 1/2 " with a foot ring pulled that was wide enough to fit over the base with allowance for shrinkage. I then made walls on a separate bat that were thrown cylinder raised 2 " and same thickness as the base. I attached the two pieces when leather hard and waited until bone dry before bisque firing. The first one I fired on the foot ring. . . .It cracked. The second I fired upside down no problem, and then fired the glaze on the base with glaze sponge cleared foot ring. He is still using this today as I have talked to him often, and he is very happy with the result. best, Pres Bill Kielb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinR Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 Many years ago I made a birdbath. The pedestal is a shaped open cylinder with the bowl sitting on top. I soon discovered that the local raccoons liked to get up to the water and tipped the bowl over and cracked or broke it a couple of times. The last bowl I made had a deep - 5 - 6 inch foot on it to fit inside the cylinder so the raccoons couldn't tip it off the top anymore. Lin Pres and Bill Kielb 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockhopper Posted March 31 Author Report Share Posted March 31 9 hours ago, Min said: Are you in an area that has freezing temps during the winter and would the birdbath be left outdoors year round? Definitely freezing temps in winter - but will not be left out year-round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockhopper Posted March 31 Author Report Share Posted March 31 9 hours ago, Pres said: ... The second I fired upside down no problem ... Thanks for the tips. Already planning to bisque upside down, based on other threads I've seen here about problems with large platters. Haven't decided whether I'm going to try to throw, or use slabs and/or coils... Was thinking about making a wooden ring that I can attach to a piece of plywood to make a form, and use a slab for the bottom and coils for the sides - then attach a foot after it firms up. Hadn't thought about a plaster form and throwing upside-down. Pres 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 I've seen a birdbath basin made a slab draped over a really large styrofoam wreath base. I haven't used either of the claybodies you mentioned but just by looking at the specs I would lean towards the Laguna WC611 given the porosity is lower. Whichever way you land up making it compress the heck out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted April 2 Report Share Posted April 2 112 should work well for it, especially since you're used to working with it. Pres 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted Sunday at 04:09 PM Report Share Posted Sunday at 04:09 PM did a big birdbath in the 70s without glaze. molded the shape on a piece of fabric stretched over a large, 22 or so inches diameter trash can and held in place with several rubber bungee cords. rolled out a slab 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick and draped it into the fabric while keeping an eye on the bungee cords and avoiding their slipping down the can. came out great, plain 112 plus 112 with lots of red iron oxide to make fake wood supports running through the bowl so smaller birds could use them while drinking. adjusting the cords allowed the bowl to be shallow enough, 2 to 3 inches, for birds to bathe safely. glaze is too slippery so i did not use it. threw a separate large diameter, flared base about 9 inches tall so the ratio of support was enough to prevent tipping over. sadly, i was not home when the first frost was predicted. calling my son to ask him to take it inside did not work. teenager. Roberta12 and Hulk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockhopper Posted yesterday at 12:36 AM Author Report Share Posted yesterday at 12:36 AM 8 hours ago, oldlady said: molded the shape on a piece of fabric stretched over a large, 22 or so inches diameter trash can and held in place with several rubber bungee cords. Interesting idea. Was just looking at a CAN Weekly article about using a slump/hump mold using a 5 gal. bucket... Didn't give it a thought, that a larger container could be used for a larger form... Now I just have to find a round trash can - around here, they're all big square 'wheelie-bins'. Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted 21 hours ago Report Share Posted 21 hours ago A roof top satelite dish make a good drape mold for a birdbath. Denice Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted 19 hours ago Report Share Posted 19 hours ago as i get older, i wish i had a "wheelie bin". wanna trade for my circular dragitouttothestreet one? Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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