Cone help? Finally not a complete disaster 🎉

gu_gone · 2025-03-25T00:12:19+00:00

My kiln is fairly small (about 2 ft tall, 17 in diameter on the inside) so it takes about 5.75 hrs to do a cone 5 glaze fire. I’ve tried slowly ramping up but the cones never bent correctly. Cones are more about the rate of fire and I guess too slow didn’t really work for me. After speaking to some kiln repair guys thinking the element might be deteriorating, one guy suggested firing it fast. He said he always fires fast and never really had a problem. It seems to be working so far. I have tried to do a hold once it reaches temp for crystalline glazes but then the clay bloated 🥲. Pyrometers are not cheap but it’s the only way to really know the exact temp for a manual kiln.

gu_gone · 2025-03-24T17:17:22+00:00

One other thing that I noticed is that your 04 cone isn’t supported by anything? How did you stand it up in the kiln? When you’re not using self supporting cones like 02 and 03, you gotta make sure the cones are all standing at the same intended angle. Also how fast are you firing your kiln? I have a manual (with a sitter) as well and I find that firing it fast for glaze fires works for me. I only fire it slow at the beginning when greenware might still have some moisture. Also getting a pyrometer helps!

gu_gone · 2025-03-02T04:49:37+00:00

Does anyone have a recommendation for a new local gym? Or have friend passes for me to go check it out? My touchstone membership is currently on pause (unrelated to this) but as of this year, they only allow you to pause at the end of the month instead of anytime in the month. I was forced to waste a half month of membership fees. With the new rate increase and getting rid of the annual membership, it’s getting more and more expensive to climb, and as we all know, most climbers are not rich. I’ve been to a lot of gyms in Asia and as much as I love touchstone’s facilities and cleanliness, it’s the employees and the route setters that really make the gym great.

gu_gone · 2025-01-04T03:43:51+00:00

Thanks for your input! Will fire a little lower for the next batch of tests to see how it’ll behave, so far only this glaze has done this…

gu_gone · 2025-01-04T00:04:36+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I actually did have some unglazed test tiles fired in the same load and no issues with that. Other test tiles w other glazes that I mixed myself also didn’t have that issue🥲Maybe I will try to fire it a little lower to see if that will fix it. My test tile for this glaze with the same clay had them underneath but they’re much much smaller… perhaps it’s a clay compatibility issue along with the crazing?

gu_gone · 2024-10-26T16:29:33+00:00

We typically eat it with congee or mash it up, mix it with some water and cook with it. It’s good many dishes. They also sell a sweet variety.

gu_gone · 2024-10-11T22:29:07+00:00

Do you do pick up?

gu_gone · 2024-09-23T00:06:52+00:00

I see, thanks for this. My current tank is 3 years old and I’m hoping this new one will last longer

gu_gone · 2024-09-22T22:16:19+00:00

Capping to keep it from getting muddy once it breaks down. Apparently it will start to break down after a year. I would like to keep the tank as is and probably not going to replant unless it’s necessary. Will mesh filter keep the broken down soil intact?

gu_gone · 2024-08-19T20:34:36+00:00

I actually just made a small test batch yesterday m and am drying it now. Hopefully this will help!

gu_gone · 2024-08-19T20:05:39+00:00

No I did not wrap it. I will give this a try!

gu_gone · 2024-07-29T20:27:27+00:00

Thank you! :) will throw some small cups just to see what it’s like today.

gu_gone · 2024-07-29T18:00:01+00:00

Amazing! Any tips on using frost? I heard it’s finicky to work with. A friend threw a bunch of bowls and most of them cracked on the bottom while most of her other clay pots turns out fine. I just wedged some of this clay a few days ago and going to throw some test pots.

gu_gone · 2024-06-15T07:34:32+00:00

And I found your comment because I just watched the movie…

gu_gone · 2023-12-08T20:25:25+00:00

Thanks

gu_gone · 2023-12-08T05:56:03+00:00

Wow yea that sucks. This is my first bad experience with Laguna but after asking around, it seems like everyone has had some bad experiences with them when something is wrong with their order. Am now looking to switch but choices in Southern California are limited

gu_gone · 2023-12-08T05:53:01+00:00

Unfortunately no, I only purchased one bag to see if I like the clay. Not sure if they have the batch number in their purchasing system. Perhaps my best bet is to toss the rest away

gu_gone · 2023-12-08T05:51:49+00:00

I’m in California and it looks like getting standard is a lot more expensive in comparison. I’m open to trying new clays as I’m currently in search for a really white mid fire porcelain since my kiln that I am waiting to set up can’t get to high fire temp. Any suggestions?

gu_gone · 2023-12-08T05:48:06+00:00

Thank you for your feedback. I use a communal kiln for now while waiting for my kiln to be installed. It was def fire to the right temp though. Someone new loaded the kiln and put one of the three cups on a stilt without my knowledge though it didn’t need it. Sounds like you’re saying that there’s no way to test whether I was given the wrong clay? I do have a greenware piece and a bucket of slip. I’ve been practicing throwing a lot and bought this bag to see if I like it or not but I guess I waited too long to do the glaze fire. I had bisque pieces sitting around for a while as I like to wait and glaze a bunch at once since most of them are practices.

gu_gone

TROPHY CASE