SIMON LEACH POTTERY WORKSHOPS ~ Plaster drying bats !

[esoboleff]

why are you so concerned the bat is perfectly levelled, with one perfectly flat side and without bubbles? I can understand bubbles would make it fragile (is it therefore?), but the other 2? It will absorb water from the clay even if it is not levelled or flat...

Thanks for always sharing your experience with us. Besitos desde Buenos Aires, Argentina

elena

[sleachpots]

@esoboleff a flat bat is easier to clean off ! and less likely to dig in with a scraper ! You do not want the bat to get all chiselled with scraper. Better actually to make bats out of clay that is bisque fired ( not hard) about 1 inch thick. SL

[esoboleff]

@sleachpots Thanks again, makes sense. Out of curiosity: if the clay ones are better, why do you use plaster ones?

[luv2diy]

Hi Simon! Big fan. I use a cat litter box as my mold for making these bats. They pop right out! I use plaster of Paris. Should i shell out the money for potters plaster? You're older videos on bats you used plaster of Paris I thought?

[TheSignGuy32]

Hi Simon, how are you? We had a Artist Fair here in your old town of Barryville today. There was about 3 or 4 Potters but I like your pottery better. I made the Banner across Rt. 97 with the different event dates. I wish that you was in the area. I finally found a bag of the soft white clay that they gave us. Everything else is red clay except 2 boxes. My trimming of the foot is a little primative, I need to come see you and learn from the master. Chow

[michirhythm]

Hi Simon, I just am getting to see this video. My friend told me that I should buy plaster from a paint store (Comex...we are in Mexico) instead of a ceramic store because it is much cheaper. Will this be OK or should I shell out the extra money for No. 1 Plaster?

[galfurion]

Have you ever tried to vacuum degas the plaster mixture to remove possible air bubbles?

[Bahayria]

I will be very near to your studio during the middle of June. Will your gallery be open to the public by then I would love to see your work. Thank you for all you are doing to promote the art of pottery making.

[Bahayria]

I will be very near to your studio during the middle of June. Will your gallery be open to the public by then? I would love to stop in and see your work.....tg

[TheSignGuy32]

Hi Simon, after talking to you last week about the clay bats I went ahead and make mine. It came out great. I cut the wood on my table saw using the fence and but my box together. I laid it on my vinyl sign material and I used silicone on the bottom of the wood. Mixed up the plaster, letting it sit for a few min. them poured it in. I did forget to add the metal mesh, I hope that it doesn't crack or break. My grandkids, Max and Jalena look at the videos, they say hello. Chow

[cklaetke]

Simon , I watch your videos all the time. I'm a ceramic student here in California. I'm so anxious to get a pottery wheel that I have decided to write you for plans to build a Leach wheel. Building a wheel is an ambitious undertaking for me , but one that will be most satisfying.I look forward to your reply.

[Alyzabeth01]

Where did you buy that pottery plaster? I got a very small container of plaster of paris yesterday at lowes because I couldn't find anything else. I wanted a big bag like you have.

[sleachpots]

@Alyzabeth01 I know it is a nuisance having to buy small amounts, try your local clay distributor , they should have pottery plaster. I got mine at Standard Ceramic Supply, Pittsburgh. SL

[Alyzabeth01]

@sleachpots I live near pittsburgh and get all my supplies from Standard Ceramic Supply...I didn't know they had that. I will have to go in there and tell Carla I want the same stuff Simon has...haha

[Rmoelbak]

You can also make bats in a form, using cooking oil for nonstick surface, I have made many in big “mortar” mixing barrels (square and round).

[Rmoelbak]

Submerge a smaller bowl with dry plaster in to a big bucket of water – several at the time even. Then pull one out and pour in to the frame, one at the time. By pouring of the excess water in to the bucket, and dealing with smaller quantities at a time, there is less mess and les to tidy up. . If there is a problem with an uneven surface just sand the plaster bat down using sandpaper and water running over the bat at the same time, that way you get a nice clean flat surface on both sides..

[chuckgrunt100]

Thanks for the video. You really cover all aspects of the ceramic arts. Keep the video's coming.

[MamereClaire]

Simon, you may want to mention that when one rinises the bucket or anything else with plaster in/on it not to throw the water down the drain. It will stop up the drain; better to dump the water on the lawn.  Thanks for the great video I have learned so much from you. Claire

[sleachpots]

@MamereClaire yes you are right ! NOT DOWN THE DRAIN !!!  SL

[lynnie32757]

thx again Simon for your very generous clips, I have learnt so much from you- loved the sound of the birds in this one :)

[credenza1]

Thats a monster plaster bat. How thick would you normally make it? Thanks, Simon.

[sleachpots]

@credenza1 I miscalculated ! normally with that amount of plaster I would make two bats !! out of practice ! SL

[credenza1]

I thought I saw Marcel Marceau at 10:12!

[DirtKickerStudio]

Looks like you had a nice sunny day to mix plaster. Actually that piece would make an awesome wedging table top. Just build up a fort of cinder blocks and yeah.

[jeremydwalsh]

I made a bunch of pots the other day I didn't want to fire but I wanted to re-use the clay quickly. I didn't want to wait for it to dry out then soak it back in water again then set it out to dry again. So I experimented with just putting the wet pots off the wheel into 5 gallon bucket of water. Yesterday I came home from work and the clay wasn't slaked down at all. So I went and bought a bottle of white vinegar and poured the whole thing into the two buckets. Got home from work and VOILA!

[neiljackson7]

It just so happens that I was planning to make some plaster bats this weekend. Couldn't have been a better clip for me - and now I have the excuse I needed to buy a power sander! Thanks for the great tutorial.

[fragglefans]

It's a great idea using the glass for a nice flat surface. I will try it next time. Thanks again for your video clips.(Surrey, England.....very sunny and warm

!!)

[hellorodney]

could you dry the clay on top of the kiln when firing or let it air dry in the sun,,,thanks for all your videos

[xxxmorgyxxx]

I had no Idea you were in PA, I live in state college. It has been very rainy. I just made a two piece slip mold of a goblet I had. First batch of plaster I made I mixed and had to do something. I turned back around and saw it was getting thicker so I made the mistake of stirring it more, which let more oxygen into the batter. Turned my back for 30 seconds and it was solid. :/ well I finished the mold. Plaster can be very fun, except for when you get it in your clay.