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My clay processing methods have shifted from methods used Simon Leach to the current method used by many traditional potters.
24 to 48 hours before the Mixing Steps
24 to 48 hours before the Mixing Steps
Weigh and mix dry clay components as listed in the pug mill section to make a 14 pound batch.
Prepare your dried recycled clay by adding enough water to cover the broken pieces of raw clay. Drain off excess water and stir.
Steps used to mix clay using the Old School Method
Steps used to mix clay using the Old School Method
On a sturdy surface place (floor or table) a 4x4 feet plastic tarp protect the surface and fine weave cloth to work the clay.
Add about 1/2 of a dry components batch (7 lbs.) to the center of cloth and make a large divot the center to form a well.
Add either water or drained wet recycled clay to fill the divot.
Start working in the wet into the dry using a board or stick to stir.
Sprinkle more dry components over clay and mix again by picking up corners of cloth and folding the clay.
Press down between folding and add more dry components until clay becomes stiff.
Keep folding and pressing down. You can walk on it if needed to improve the mixing.
When it stiffens to about pottery making quality roll into a clay ball in cloth and put it on a drying board or concrete.
Periodically cut the lump of clay in 1/3 and stack slam each 1/3 on top of each other. Repeat 4 times. Wrap clay ball back in cloth and put on a drying board or concrete. Check often until clay feels almost too stiff to use for pottery. Typical drying time +24 hours but weather dependent.
Bag the clay when it is ready.
Subdivide using a cutoff wire and shape into round balls. If clay will be thrown on a wheel cone up and down more than with pugmill or commercial clay to reduce dry spots.
Mound of dry clay components with well.
Well filled with wet recycled clay or water.
Wet mixed into dry and more dry component added to stiffen clay. Keep folding and mixing using cloth to help fold.
When clay has stiffened to about pottery ready fold cloth over and place on drying board or concrete slab.
Final drying time is weather dependent. Check it often.
Thoughts and hacks
Thoughts and hacks
The more folding and punching down the better the results.
Clay is not perfectly mixed so you many need to deal with hardspots and air bubbles when throwing.
For hard spots remove and fill hole with a patch of fresh clay.
For air bubbles just use a pin tool and relaes the air.
Bag the clay when ready to use.
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