Acquiring and Processing Ceramic Raw Materials (Video #25 in the Free Online Glaze Course)

Summary

In this video, John Brit discusses acquiring and processing ceramic raw materials. He shares his experiences with tools like ball mills and sledgehammers to process materials such as feldspar, silica, volcanic ash, limestone, and various clays. John also covers techniques like sieving, ash glazes, melt tests, and utilizing natural sources for materials. He introduces books for further inspiration and emphasizes how experimenting with these methods helps understand the materials better. Overall, the video offers a practical and insightful guide to ceramic material processing for enthusiasts and hobbyists.

Takeaways

• 🛠️ The video discusses acquiring and processing ceramic raw materials, following up on a previous video about geology.
• 📚 The presenter introduces various tools and equipment used in ceramics, such as a ball mill, sledgehammer, and plaster bats, and emphasizes that processing materials can be done at home with simple tools.
• 🔨 Ash processing is highlighted, including burning and sifting wood ashes like oak, beach, walnut, and applewood for glaze experiments.
• 🌋 Volcanic ash, feldspar, and pumice are used in ceramic experiments. The presenter collects feldspar locally and explains the benefits of processing it at home.
• 🧱 DIY approaches like making your own sieves, plaster bats, and using homemade molds are demonstrated to make ceramic material preparation more accessible.
• 📝 The importance of melt tests is explained, helping artists determine how materials behave under heat, with examples of feldspar, shale, and pumice tests.
• 🌱 The presenter experiments with different types of natural materials like road bond granite, silica sand, limestone, and clay from road cuts, processing and testing them for ceramic use.
• 📖 Several books are recommended for further learning about ceramic glazes and geology, including works by Phil Rogers, Tain U, and Brian Sutherland.
• 🔥 Techniques like burning straw and using rice hull ash for ceramics are discussed, emphasizing the use of local and easily accessible materials.
• 🏆 The presenter teases a future contest related to identifying pottery pieces, encouraging viewers to experiment with their own local raw materials.

Q & A

What is the purpose of John Brit's video?

The purpose of John Brit's video is to provide a detailed overview of acquiring and processing ceramic raw materials, inspired by feedback from a previous geology-focused video.

Why does John Brit recommend using a ball mill for processing ceramic materials?

John Brit recommends using a ball mill because it allows for efficient grinding of raw materials, reducing them into fine powders. This can be done either dry or wet, depending on the user's preference. The wet process is typically used to minimize dust.

What are some of the ceramic materials John discusses in the video?

John discusses several materials, including feldspar, silica, volcanic ash, limestone, and various types of clay.

What method does John use to break down larger pieces of raw material?

John often uses a sledgehammer and kiln to break down larger pieces. He bisque-fires materials in a cylinder-shaped sagger to weaken them, then breaks them down further with the sledgehammer.

What is the benefit of performing melt tests on ceramic materials?

Melt tests help users understand how different materials behave at high temperatures. By comparing the appearance and texture of various materials, users can predict their properties in finished glazes or pottery pieces.

Why does John recommend using a variety of sieves for processing raw materials?

John recommends using different sieves to control the particle size of processed materials. This is important for achieving specific effects in glazes and for ensuring consistency in pottery.

How does John suggest collecting ash for making glazes?

John collects ash from various sources such as wood-burning stoves and grills, where different types of wood like hickory, walnut, and applewood are burned. He sieves the ash to remove large charcoal pieces and sometimes washes it to remove impurities.

What is the role of plaster bats in processing ceramic materials?

Plaster bats are used to dry wet materials. The wet material is poured onto the plaster surface, which absorbs excess moisture, making it easier to handle and use in ceramic processes.

What are some recommended books for learning more about ash glazes and ceramic geology?

John recommends 'Ash Glazes' by Phil Rogers and 'Geology Roadside Geology' as excellent resources for learning more about ash glazes and the geological aspects of ceramic raw materials.

How does John process feldspar collected from a local mine?

John collects feldspar from a local mine and processes it by breaking it into smaller pieces, running it through a ball mill for finer powder, and sieving it to achieve the desired particle size for use in glazes.