Mixing Clay - 101

I talk about mixiing your own clay body. I try to cover the basic types of clay, fluxes, and fillers.

I wanted to mention that when testing clay body mixtures, I like to make 1000 gram batches dry, then add water to that. This way I can take a percentage recipe and just by moving the decimal point can convert it to grams. 25% = 25 grams or 250 grams, etc. My clay-body recipe is as follows for those of you who might care:

Fire clay (Hawthorn Bond - 35mesh)......25%
Goldart Stoneware clay...........................40%
Ball Clay (OM4 - (old mine #4)..............15%
Custer Feldspar........................................10%
Flint or Silica (200 mesh)..........................7%
Redart Clay................................................3%
Add: Fine and medium Grog or sand....... 8%

Also, I wanted to mention that much of the mixture of a clay body is designed to match your glazes. It needs to melt and behave in such a way that it is compatible with your glazes. That is the reason my silica and feldspar ratios are the way they are, so my clay body fits my glazes.

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• clay
• mixing
• claythrower
• pottery
• ceramics
• 101

[wangdu34]

Hi please can u tell me ,if I wanna make a mask what kind clay should I buy please thanks

[ClayThrower]

@wangdu34

Any clay can be used to make a mask. Porcelain is a popular choice.

David Leach Porcelain Cone 10 reduction

Grolleg Kaolin 55

Potash Feldspar 25

Flint 15

Bentonite 5

[ironlionkalo]

is it cheaper to mix your own clay?

[ClayThrower]

@ironlionkalo

Yes and no. It depends. As far as actual money out, yes I think it is cheaper to mix your own. But mixing takes time and equipment and quality control may not be as good. So from a production standpoint, it may be cheaper in the long run to buy pre-mixed clay.

[1GUNRUNNER]

lets talk!

type 420 if ur high! uR

[ClayThrower]

420 fo-shizzle! Hi on baby hugs beeoch!

So glad you enjoyed my clay mixing video, thank you for your insightful comment.

[Rozzalinda1]

ur cool dude and you explain it so well :D Thanks a lot i apreciate it i look forword for new tips from you

[longbeforedawn]

I love the intellectual facet of your videos.

Nice tip about the mold. Thank you.

[anniemac36]

Great...ty for the information. I will have everything in the basement. Daycare kids won't have any access to it. I will probley start out the electric route. It seems an easy way to start.

[ClayThrower]

So you're limited to a neutral or oxidized firing. Cone 10 is hard on them, so I wouldn't recommend them as my #1 choice for high fire stuff, though people do use them for it. They are great for specific control for things like crystal glazes and the like. I almost went the electric rout, but was stubborn and wanted my atmosphere control and high temperature capabilities. I will say that my city inspector was strict, so if I did it chances are good you can too. Just do your homework first.