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 is a wedging table made of?
The most common wedging boards that are easy to create yourself are made from plaster, plaster covered in canvas, or plywood covered in canvas. There are other options available as well; such as concrete, granite, Masonite, concrete board and hardibacker board.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Can you wedge clay on wood?
If wood is your clay wedging surface of choice, an old heavy wooden table is also a good option. Unvarnished wood has enough grip to make a great wedging surface. And it is nicely absorbent, without drawing too much moisture from your clay.
Can I use drywall to reclaim clay?
Reclaiming or Recycling Clay The resulting very wet scrap usually needs to be dried out before reprocessing can continue. This is a heavy cement board that is not as effective as plaster, but is strong and will absorb moisture from the clay. Caution: do not use sheetrock.
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.
What surface is best for clay?
Some artists prefer glass or tile as a work surface because they can help keep clay cooler if the artists has rather hot hands. They can also go directly into the oven with your project. In fact, at lots of retreats, small tiles are used as baking surfaces, because several can be placed in the oven at one time.
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.
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 powder is used for hand casting?
Snygg Molding Powder for Hand and Foot cast (450 GMS).
What is USG pottery 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.
Why is plaster the enemy of clay?
PLASTER IS THE ENEMY OF FIRING. It is most important that small pieces of plaster do not make their way into recycled clay because they will explode/spit out in the kiln once heated causing disastrous effects on pottery.
Is plaster a cement?
The most common types of plaster mainly contain either gypsum, lime, or cement, but all work in a similar way. The plaster is manufactured as a dry powder and is mixed with water to form a stiff but workable paste immediately before it is applied to the surface.
Who makes Hydrobats?
10 TIMES STRONGER THAN REGULAR BATS! The Hydro-Bat was developed right here in Philadelphia by The Ceramic Shop’s owner, Mark Lueders.
