hershey8 Posted December 16, 2013 Report Share Posted December 16, 2013 Does it matter what temperature clay is when throwing. I'm not talking about frozen clay, here. But does clay tend to stiffen when it is cold? Is there a good temperature range to stay in . My basement shop gets down in to the high 40's at night, and some of my clay (right out of the bag) seems a little hard. OK, another dumb question: If I DO need to warm it a bit, can I nuke it? I don't mean on high for an hour, but just for real short intervals? Should I wear a helmet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted December 16, 2013 Report Share Posted December 16, 2013 Does it matter what temperature clay is when throwing. I'm not talking about frozen clay, here. But does clay tend to stiffen when it is cold? Is there a good temperature range to stay in . My basement shop gets down in to the high 40's at night, and some of my clay (right out of the bag) seems a little hard. OK, another dumb question: If I DO need to warm it a bit, can I nuke it? I don't mean on high for an hour, but just for real short intervals? Should I wear a helmet? Yes, I think you should wear a helmet, rubber gloves, and flippers.Just kidding. It's more comfortable to throw clay that is room temperature, but if the room is freezing, and the clay is cold, it can be pretty miserable. Never heard of putting it in a microwave or oven. This seems like a lot of work. TJR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clay lover Posted December 16, 2013 Report Share Posted December 16, 2013 It matters to my hands, I fill my throwing bucket with Hot water! And yes, you can nuke your balls, but don't tell your Mother I said so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted December 16, 2013 Report Share Posted December 16, 2013 I agree the clay seems stiffer when cold. drop it on the floor a few times and use warmer water . Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrgpots Posted December 16, 2013 Report Share Posted December 16, 2013 I keep my clay in 5 gallon buckets. I have placed a 40 watt light bulb in the bucket I plan on using the next day. It warms the clay without melting the bucket. I hate cold clay! I guess I should clarify that the light bulb is in a socket and turned on.... Jed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted December 16, 2013 Report Share Posted December 16, 2013 Does it matter what temperature clay is when throwing. I'm not talking about frozen clay, here. But does clay tend to stiffen when it is cold? Is there a good temperature range to stay in . My basement shop gets down in to the high 40's at night, and some of my clay (right out of the bag) seems a little hard. OK, another dumb question: If I DO need to warm it a bit, can I nuke it? I don't mean on high for an hour, but just for real short intervals? Should I wear a helmet? Yes, I think you should wear a helmet, rubber gloves, and flippers.Just kidding. It's more comfortable to throw clay that is room temperature, but if the room is freezing, and the clay is cold, it can be pretty miserable. Never heard of putting it in a microwave or oven. This seems like a lot of work. TJR. Ok I get the helmet is for safety when the roof falls and the rubber gloves for sanitary reasons, but the flippers? maybe you are thinking the basement will flood and you can swim out faster?? Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted December 16, 2013 Report Share Posted December 16, 2013 I have mostly frozen clay, as it is stored outside. When working in the shop I usually bring a few boxes inside the night before or two nights before working it. I throw with hot water, I find that cold water and cold clay make my fingers too stiff. The studio is a brick garage-unattached to the house. Electric heat, and even then if I turn the heat off to save electric once the bricks chill it takes forever to get in back up to temp. The older I get, the more I want to stay warm, or look to the South for a future venue. I used to not be so, but after losing 25# I find I get cold easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hershey8 Posted December 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2013 Very helpful info. Some of you are toooooo funny! Light bulbs and flippers. Stop, yer killin' me. Nuke your balls, but don't tell your mother I said so....she'd like that one. Thanks Ya'll! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted December 16, 2013 Report Share Posted December 16, 2013 Does it matter what temperature clay is when throwing. I'm not talking about frozen clay, here. But does clay tend to stiffen when it is cold? Is there a good temperature range to stay in . My basement shop gets down in to the high 40's at night, and some of my clay (right out of the bag) seems a little hard. OK, another dumb question: If I DO need to warm it a bit, can I nuke it? I don't mean on high for an hour, but just for real short intervals? Should I wear a helmet? Yes, I think you should wear a helmet, rubber gloves, and flippers.Just kidding. It's more comfortable to throw clay that is room temperature, but if the room is freezing, and the clay is cold, it can be pretty miserable. Never heard of putting it in a microwave or oven. This seems like a lot of work. TJR. Ok I get the helmet is for safety when the roof falls and the rubber gloves for sanitary reasons, but the flippers? maybe you are thinking the basement will flood and you can swim out faster?? Mark Mark; You can never be too careful! No, the entire statement was a leg puller. Sorry about that. TJR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill T. Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 I keep my clay in 5 gallon buckets. I have placed a 40 watt light bulb in the bucket I plan on using the next day. It warms the clay without melting the bucket. I hate cold clay! I guess I should clarify that the light bulb is in a socket and turned on.... Jed I tried your idea today. IT WORKS !! We have been in the 20's this past week , and I only heat my shop when I am in it. Will post some pics of what I built later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biglou13 Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 40's is shorts and flip flop weather for of the snow birds here I can hear some saying 40. That's down right warm Keep a bag or two of clay upstairs where it's warmer, why fight the cold clay.. Easy solution Even if it doesn't affect the clay it sure will affect your hands I can't vouch for nuking it. But putting a bunch of dirt where your food goes doesn't appeal to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrgpots Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 I keep my clay in 5 gallon buckets. I have placed a 40 watt light bulb in the bucket I plan on using the next day. It warms the clay without melting the bucket. I hate cold clay! I guess I should clarify that the light bulb is in a socket and turned on.... Jed I tried your idea today. IT WORKS !! We have been in the 20's this past week , and I only heat my shop when I am in it. Will post some pics of what I built later. Glad to hear it. Jed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 Clay of high iron content may make the nuking process interesting! In Australia, we have only, unless one goes digging, globes that are energy efficient and produce , I think, haven't felt them for a while, no heat. so melting honey, warming kids doing homework, warming clay, bread dough and dogs kennels cannot be done by the simple globe any more! How efficient is that.The kids homework trick was to place the light under the desk at the feet of the supposed student, then of course, can't read cos not enough light..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davidpotter Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 the colder something is the more dense it is (to a point.... water arranges in a weird way around 39 degrees and lower) i agree that warm to hot water helps a lot though. if my mom caught me putting clay in the microwave i wouldn't be throwing pottery for a while Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebekah Krieger Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 I use warm throwing water if my basement is cold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 I nuke cone packs on occasion to dry them out. Very carefully, as they can blow quickly. As to the stiffness of cold clay, it can be deceiving. In the beginning it will seem to have plenty of stiffnes, but as you use it, and it warms, it will become its true nature. Don't throw bowls with wide openings or overhangs as they will have a tendency to collapse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hershey8 Posted December 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 Great info. Thanks to you all! ja Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pass Thru Fire Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 I've seen some previously frozen clay that had fractured. If I wedge it does it go back to normal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 O.K. I am reading this post in June. I know that it is a re-post of an older blog. I am still not getting why you would wear a helmet. Any ideas? Don't say for motorcycling. TJR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 O.K. I am reading this post in June. I know that it is a re-post of an older blog. I am still not getting why you would wear a helmet. Any ideas? Don't say for motorcycling. TJR. Errr . . . you were the one who suggested wearing a helmet. We're hoping you can tell the rest of us. But, it was a long, cold winter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benzine Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 O.K. I am reading this post in June. I know that it is a re-post of an older blog. I am still not getting why you would wear a helmet. Any ideas? Don't say for motorcycling. TJR. Errr . . . you were the one who suggested wearing a helmet. We're hoping you can tell the rest of us. But, it was a long, cold winter. Actually, the original poster is the one, who mentioned the helmet. Maybe they were referring to how the clay might explode, when they use the microwave to warm it, and the helmet would protect them from a catastrophic explosion??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 O.K. I am reading this post in June. I know that it is a re-post of an older blog. I am still not getting why you would wear a helmet. Any ideas? Don't say for motorcycling. TJR. Errr . . . you were the one who suggested wearing a helmet. We're hoping you can tell the rest of us. But, it was a long, cold winter. Actually, the original poster is the one, who mentioned the helmet. Maybe they were referring to how the clay might explode, when they use the microwave to warm it, and the helmet would protect them from a catastrophic explosion??? And you're right. My apologies to TJR. As for the helmet, maybe to protect the noggin from the spouse's frying pan (iron, of course) after finding out you've nuked the microwave with your clay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 Does it matter what temperature clay is when throwing. I'm not talking about frozen clay, here. But does clay tend to stiffen when it is cold? Is there a good temperature range to stay in . My basement shop gets down in to the high 40's at night, and some of my clay (right out of the bag) seems a little hard. OK, another dumb question: If I DO need to warm it a bit, can I nuke it? I don't mean on high for an hour, but just for real short intervals? Should I wear a helmet? O.k. This was the original question. "Should I wear a helmet." Would that be for nuking the clay in a micro wave? I don't usually wear a helmet when I microwave stuff, but I have never microwaved clay. I wouldn't recommend microwaving it-the clay that is. TJR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 O.K. I am reading this post in June. I know that it is a re-post of an older blog. I am still not getting why you would wear a helmet. Any ideas? Don't say for motorcycling. TJR. Errr . . . you were the one who suggested wearing a helmet. We're hoping you can tell the rest of us. But, it was a long, cold winter. Actually, the original poster is the one, who mentioned the helmet. Maybe they were referring to how the clay might explode, when they use the microwave to warm it, and the helmet would protect them from a catastrophic explosion??? And you're right. My apologies to TJR. As for the helmet, maybe to protect the noggin from the spouse's frying pan (iron, of course) after finding out you've nuked the microwave with your clay. No! You have nuked the clay with the microwave! This is getting silly1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 O.K. I am reading this post in June. I know that it is a re-post of an older blog. I am still not getting why you would wear a helmet. Any ideas? Don't say for motorcycling. TJR. Errr . . . you were the one who suggested wearing a helmet. We're hoping you can tell the rest of us. But, it was a long, cold winter. Actually, the original poster is the one, who mentioned the helmet. Maybe they were referring to how the clay might explode, when they use the microwave to warm it, and the helmet would protect them from a catastrophic explosion??? And you're right. My apologies to TJR. As for the helmet, maybe to protect the noggin from the spouse's frying pan (iron, of course) after finding out you've nuked the microwave with your clay. No! You have nuked the clay with the microwave!This is getting silly1 I use some very iron and manganese rich clay bodies, Standard 266, Laguna Dark Brown, so my clay would likely nuke the microwave with its metal content. Summer is for silly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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