October Week 3 and a bit

Bringing a new clay into the mix.
Same source Stoneware Cone 6.
1-C517-2921



Love the little mouldy green effects before wedging.





The die for these extrusions was a loosely shaped capital G.
The opening was drilled a little more narrowly than previous dies.
The angle of entry for the clay was more severe.
The detailing was also sharper (ie less polished).



The clay tended to roll into a spiral on extrusion.

It was possible to unroll the extrusion while positioning it onto a board.
It's full width was greater than the 6 inches of the extrusion chamber.


The new clay is delightfully flexible.
It draped over cardboard rolls or by hand.
Hope it makes a subtle contrast to the colour of the Navaho Wagon.

October Week Two

After the experiments in extruding using softer clay and hand extruders, research/discussion has presented a new challenge.
6 inch dies from lexan and plexiglass.
Paper rolls and a mitre box for cutting extruded forms.
Thin piece of foam mounted in the mitre box to allow cutting right through the form.

 I slowly cut each 6" die on the band saw.
Rounded them up on the belt sander.








Nine should be enough:)






The first attempt using the drill press to cut the central hole and multiple smaller holes. Then using the dremel with a rasp bit as well as a hand rasp, was able to remove unwanted part.



Each die takes me several hours to complete; a challenge to calculate the angle of clay entry into the die and the balance of flow of clay under pressure. This surface is smooth and the serpentine shape will give the option of a slightly wider piece on extrusion.



Here is a textured surface which I plan to manipulate as the extrusion decends. Will test if some horizontal movement adds greater variety.




The dremel with the rasp bit speeds up the process but a two handed grip is needed as it wants to buck, left to its own devices.
 Removed the protective wrap from the dies and used a propane torch to smooth the sanded surfaces. Now for the tests!:)

October Week One

The name for a 5 sided figure with ten triangular extensions?





Dangerous and very delicate.




I've started with three of them and hope.





The pentangle has dried to leatherhard.
The triangular shapes are barely dry enough to hold their shape.



Time on the wheel with my favorite batt.
My thumbs and fingers remembered a few of their tasks:)


I have been replacing the bits that didn't survive the drying  process...and forgetting to use the camera:)