Table of Contents
What can I use for a wedging table?
The most common are plaster, plaster covered in canvas, and plywood covered in canvas. Other possibilities are concrete, granite, masonite, concrete board and hardibacker board. The simplest wedging surface is a piece of canvas. It can be put on a table, slab roller top, or chair.
How thick should a wedging table be?
It calls for 2 x 4 lumber for the legs and sides, 5/8 inch (minimum thickness, you can go thicker) plywood for the floor, and leg braces made from 1 x 3 lumber.
What height should a wedging table be?
The table where clay is kneaded must be sturdy and may benefit from being screwed to the wall or to the floor. Other design considerations include: Comfortable height (30 -32″), absorbent surface, cutting wire, and sufficient space to set scale. Some potters use the wedging table to dry recycled clay.
How thick should a plaster bat be?
Excellent for use on the potter’s wheel and as a base for coil building or sculpture pieces with good water absorption and wear resistance. Attach with a clay pancake. 1″ thick. 11.5″ diameter.
Can you wedge clay on MDF?
If you don’t want to use concrete for your clay wedging surface, you can opt for wood. A simple sheet of plywood is a good, flexible option. An alternative wood option a sheet of MDF, which can also be easily secured to a solid surface. MDF can also be wiped down after being used.
Is pottery plaster the same as plaster of Paris?
Pottery plaster is harder than Plaster of Paris. So, it is better for casting molds that experience wear and tear. However, Plaster of Paris is usually less expensive and is suitable for low wear and tear items. Also, some makes of Plaster of Paris are as strong as pottery plaster.
What kind of canvas do you use for wedging clay?
Amaco Canvas-Covered Board This is a thin canvas covered board that is great for wedging and rolling hard clay.
What happens if plaster gets in clay?
If any plaster contamination particles get into your clay the issue you will experience is called “popping”. After firing, as a piece absorbs water from the air over time, the particles of gypsum close enough to the surface can expand and pop out a piece of the clay to relieve the pressure.
How much plaster do I need for a plaster bat?
Measure 6 pints of water into a clean bucket. Weigh 9lb of plaster. Add the plaster to the water a handful at a time but taking care not to create too much dust.
How do you mix pottery plaster?
Plaster is mixed by weight, the ratio for No. 1 Pottery Plaster in parts by weight is 100 parts plaster to 70 parts water. The more plaster used per weight of water, the faster it sets, and the harder and less absorbent the product becomes.
What are plaster bats?
Plaster bats are employed primarily for making pottery on a potters wheel. Ware can then be thrown on the bat and the whole thing removed to make another piece. They need to be fairly thick to be durable enough for everyday use, thus they are quite heavy.
What is ceramic plaster?
Pottery Plaster is a fine specialist plaster designed for use in casting of molds for ceramic products and plaster-craft replications. It is ideal for slip casting of sanitary ware and statuary, and for the manufacture of compression molds used in slab casting of tableware.
How do you use Potters plaster?
MIXING Buy plaster. Put on a dust mask. Add water to a bucket. Using a cup or scoop, start adding plaster to the water. Keep adding plaster, sprinkling it in the same manner. Mix. When you can draw a line in the plaster and it doesn’t immediately flatten back out, the plaster is ready to pour. POURING.
What type material The plaster bat is made of?
The Hydro-Bat is made of Hydro-Stone, a USG product containing cement and crystalline silica, that is 8 to 10 times stronger then pottery plaster. The surface is scratch resistant yet absorbs water like plaster eliminating the need to cut your pieces off the pottery bat with a wire.
How do you keep pottery bats from warping?
Batmate is a tool to helps secure your bat to your pottery wheel head with its grippy material. Xiem Batmate is the perfect solution for that annoying bat jitter and warping problem. Place Xiem Batmate below your problem bats on the wheel and instantly your warped bats become stable.
What is a pug mill for clay?
A pug mill is used for reclaiming and mixing clay in pottery studios and classrooms. Choose de-airing models that eliminate the added step of wedging the clay — or non de-airing models such as the Shimpo Pug Mill, which has an aluminum barrel.
How long do you wedge clay?
You should wedge at least 20 times when it’s fresh out of the bag. If it’s been recycled, you will need to wedge 100 times if not more depending on the condition of your clay.
Why is lime plaster no longer commonly used?
The promotion of modern gypsum-based plasters has led to the almost complete demise of lime plastering, and of many of the traditional skills associated with the craft. This has been exacerbated by the plastering trade being divided into flat and decorative work, with new ‘fibrous plasterwork’ being made in workshops.
What is stronger than plaster of Paris?
Hydrocal is much stronger than plaster of paris. It also takes lots more detail, and most of all does not ‘slough off’ like plaster of paris. That is important for a long life scenery base. The sloughing of plaster results in lots of dust and chips on a continuous basis.
What is the difference between Hydrocal and Ultracal?
Ultracal 30 is more dense and harder than Hydrocal and is advertised by USG as a tool making plaster. Hydrocal is a casting plaster that hold detail well. Hydrocal is easier to work with post casting for corrections. Ultracal is more durable.
