Part 1: how to make a casting slip from your own clay body

[@Biancalwc]

I went to university for ceramics and your videos on this are the best explanation i have ever scene. So helpful! Thank you.

[@rebekahbogard3322]

Oh wow! Such a fantastic compliment! I'm delighted you found it so informative and easy to understand! Ceramics is such a science. We are all standing on the shoulders of giants, and we really feel it in the Ceramics field.

[@marciacunningham5877]

I thought the binding of the microscopic plates is what makes fired clay strong. If the plates are all jumbled up does it weaken the fired clay? Michael

[@pritinagwani507]

Excellent, good scientific explanation.

[@rebekahbogard3322]

Thanks! I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@soutefy]

This is sooooo informative, thank you so much for sharing this with us!

[@rebekahbogard3322]

I'm so glad you found it informative!

[@emel60]

Good day! I feel I have the same issue as you described. I had very successful rate of producing simple alumina-kaolin clay slip (with void former carbon dust and grogged with fired alumina) for crucibles. But now the clay really doesn't want to detach form the plaster mould, no matter the time laps. And it gets very wet, the mould. The more I try, the worse it gets. How could I have gotten such good results if I literally just mixed the powders with water, and now by doing the same thing I get nothing but mess? Thanks!

[@rebekahbogard3322]

Hmmm. Are you using the exact same plaster mold? Slip-casting molds need to be made from #1 Pottery Plaster. I've made a casting mold from Plaster of Paris, and it really doesn't work. Plaster of Paris is too dense and it doesn't absorb the water, which is necessary for casting. I assume you are deflocculating your slip. This is absolutely essential. But if you are not, it is because you have too much water in your slip. Usually, if your mold is getting saturated from casting, it is because the water content is way too high. But if you are doing the exact same thing, using the exact same chemicals, measuring your specific gravity the same way, using the same amount of deflocculant, it could be that your water has changed. Electrolytes in the water can effect how well your slip casts. Glazes may also vary due to the water. Or it could be that your chemical supplier is now getting the same material quarried from a different location or mine, which could account for the variation. When using ball clays and/or kaolins, choose the one with the largest ultimate particle size (since these are more permeable to water and therefore cast faster and will prevent your mold from over-saturating). This article might be helpful. digitalfire.com/glossary/slip+casting If your slip is sticking to the inside of the mold, you may have too much EPK. Maybe try to reduce the EPK and increase your ball caly Good luck!

[@erikadean5164]

Excellent explanation! Thank you :)

[@rebekahbogard3322]

Glad it was helpful!

[@CreatorKenny]

Thank you and for the articles

[@rebekahbogard3322]

You're welcome! I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@joseabujamrakappaz1904]

Hey Rebekah, thanks for sharing a lot of knowlogde. I have one doubt, if I want to make my own slip clay for very since the begging, you have a recipe to share?

[@rebekahbogard3322]

Here is the 04 clay body recipe I use, but you will have to watch the video again to get ratios on deflocculants: 54.4 OM4 Ball Clay 23.9 Silica 14.5 Talc 7.2 Whiting

[@maziaroffice]

very good! thanks

[@rebekahbogard3322]

You're welcome!

[@gonenhaba-meishar1288]

but can it be done with clay body that has grog in it ?

[@rebekahbogard3322]

Yes. Make sure you mix it well every time you use it.

[@Faisal-ds1kb]

Sodium silicate is not available in my country. Is there any way i can make slip of clay without using it?

[@rebekahbogard3322]

Use Darvan #7. Here is a link about Darvan. digitalfire.com/material/darvan

[@seekerout]

There are lots of KZbin videos showing how to make your own sodium silicate from caustic soda and silica gel (like you get in packaging to keep the contents dry).

[@michaelslade5747]

Water soluble does not mean it will evaporate with the water! Probably deposits out the the clay.

[@michaelslade5747]

It is not magnetic! It probably is ionic! Try seeing if a magnetic will pick up any to show if will pick up any which it will probably not!