synj00 Posted January 5, 2015 Report Share Posted January 5, 2015 A few quick questions for the glaze experts out there. Background: I'm very excited to be creating my first base glazes - a simple cone 6 clear for a white (talc free) clay body. I also have a dark red clay body with obviously a high iron content. And then after that I will be going for a cream color glaze and then a temmoku. I have no real interest at the moment in bright glossy colors. I have 2 different options for silica - sand (white) and flint (270M) - Which is the best starting point or should I just get some of both? I want to give myself the most possibilities for testing and using in secondary glaze recipes. For the base white recipe I want to use it calls for Tin Oxide Tin Oxide vs Zircopax - Tin Oxide is REALLY expensive and I am reading a lot that Zircopax although it can be substituted at around 2:1 for Tin Oxide, it tends to kill the colors that oxides produce a bit. Not too big a problem for me I wouldn't think at the moment and none of the Temmoku I want to test calls for it. Does Zircopax work in a wide range of recipes and does it have any caveats to watch out for? Thanks much! Very excited to get going and will post results as I go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted January 5, 2015 Report Share Posted January 5, 2015 Silica/flint 325mesh is preferred for glazes because it is finer and melts easier. I have used zircopax as a substitute in Majolica, but for ^6 I stick with tin especially for trying to get the iron reds. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted January 5, 2015 Report Share Posted January 5, 2015 I bought 1kg of tin oxide over a year ago and still haven't run out. Not the biggest glaze user but it seems to last a while. A 10kg batch of dry glaze with 2% tin lasts me a long time. Never used zicropax. I agree on the finer mesh silica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted January 5, 2015 Report Share Posted January 5, 2015 Are you firing in oxidation or reduction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted January 5, 2015 Report Share Posted January 5, 2015 For silica stick to Marcia's suggestion on 325 mesh-this is what you want to use not your other two mentioned. As to tin yes it now is expensive but its also what you need The Zircopax is going to harm more than help-Tin has unique qualities which I suggest you use as well. buy 1 # for 25$ of tin and you will see its goodness. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biglou13 Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Save the sand and 270 for clay bodies..... I've never seen 270m silica.... +1 on 325 for glazes..... What marsha sez.... I'm also thinking 325 for suspension reasons. Less glossy presents another basket of issues.... But I'm with you on choice of less bright less glossy... I looked to the cushing bases, and am so far quite happy. Albeit in my short pottery life/experience..... From what I've seen of your work.. I think you taste would lean towards the more historical glazes, And their cone 6 versions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Zircopax will give you a nice white. It works well, and at $4 a pound it will save you money over tin. That said, if you have colored glazes that call for tin, you shouldn't substitute, because the tin is adding to the color development. For plain old white, zircopax is fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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