[Clayart] sanding bottoms

[David Woof]

Hi Mel,
Mel I too know about toothy clay and pots with a toothy grin when I desire that character!!!

Bob was asking for specific advice and he received something valuable I'm sure, amid the cacophonic melee.

I'd like to recap and stimulate thinking about the technique I believe is the single most foundation for achieving a no scratch and pleasing fine finish.

Michael Wendt and several others mentioned burnishing the foot and foot rings at the "Leather hard" or foot trimming stage.
I do this also as the most effective and least labor-intensive way to set up achieving the end result of smooth bottoms.  I use deer antler as my burnishing tool.

Please note:  sanding of bisque erodes the finer clay particles while also dislodging larger particles and revealing substrate pores.
***Whereas burnishing compresses the clay surface and buries the gritty stuff deeper into the compressed clay.  So in burnishing before the bisque at leather-hard, one already setting up the way to smoother bottoms at the finished presentation.

Also, regarding sanding away overall imperfections post bisque: using the right clay body for the task, and continuing to develop better and more efficient throwing and finishing technique mitigates the need to sand the bisque surface imperfections..
Slow down, and pay attention to the details one does not notice when hurrying to produce quantity,........which before mastering quality, always suffers.

Second to consider is why has one chosen a particular clay body?

I formulate my clay body so that by burnishing after foot trimming, the foot arrives from the bisque baby cheeks smooth, and subsequently when vitrified during a Cone 6 Ox firing arrives in same baby bottom smooth condition.

Hank and a number of others are known and respected to have made well considered body choices and dialed in their methods of handling residual grit for their personal desired results.

But unless one needs Soldate 30 or 60, and gnarly Kyanite etc. etc.; why are you using a gnarly body for fine presentation?   And Mel I repeat: I know and love toothy clay and pots with a toothy grin when I desire that particular character!!!

Ooops!  I almost forgot: this is Clayart!
And I observe that some regularly posting folks really don't appear give a dead Rat about how someone else does anything except to argue about which way is the "rightest way!"  (the rightest way???)

As the ancient and largely long forgotten Greek Poet said: "Ye are Gods"

Love to all,

Woof............................................................................................................................................
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________________________________
From: Clayart <clayart-bounces at lists.clayartworld.com> on behalf of mel jacobson <melpots at mail.com>
Sent: Friday, May 6, 2022 2:37 AM
To: clay art <clayart at lists.clayartworld.com>
Subject: [Clayart] sanding bottoms

It all depends.
There are many different clay bodies out there
in Clayart land.  How you treat bottom cleaning
is based on many factors.
1. I use a very rough clay, both sand and grog and
Lake Superior iron bearing sand. I do the best I can
to clean and smooth things out, but, I do not mess
around for hours.  I rub the bottom with a piece of
silicon carbide.

My customers buy my work because it is "utilitarian"
It is not precious.  My work goes in their dishwasher,
rolls on the floor of their car. Often they are left
outside on the deck. I make tough pots. They are to be
used.

2. Often with porcelain, commercial white clay etc. the pots take on
a "be careful" attitude.  Everything is smooth and glossy.
The potter reflects that sort of look and feel. They smooth
things out, both the trimming, and then again in bisque and
then the final sanding when from the glaze firing.  If that
is the look and feel you want...go for it. There is not
a rule book.

I love to work with a clay body with a nice "tooth". The color
is dark brown. What I add to the clay gives it my "signature".
My clay comes from a pug mill...never from a plastic bag of
perfection clay, smooth, de aired, pristine. Lots of visitors to
my pug mill. "lady bugs, dead mouse from time to time". It is all
part of the process.

I try to make pots that are the total opposite of the "Pottery Barn".

As my life reflects, all the pots are sold, and customers come back
time and again.
mel


website: www.melpots.com<http://www.melpots.com>
www.melpots.com/CLAYART.HTML<http://www.melpots.com/CLAYART.HTML>

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