Newbie -- Dump Question Part 2

"NoSpam" wrote in news:b9Leb.38877$a16.31190@lakeread01:

First off dont use treated sawdust. Some timbers are treated with arsenic compounds and other nasties

The main thing about the sawdust and/or wood shavings is to make sure that they are dry even if you have to dry them out before you use them. If it is damp the sawdust may just smoulder away releasing very little heat. The dryer it is the more heat you will get and the higher fired will be your pottery.

As to the clay I would use a raku clay which has an open texture and will stand the green firing. It will also mature at a lower temperature and you may get a harder pot

If you do not use oxides ar treated timber there is no reason why you cant use your product eg a platter to serve food on. Only be aware that you won't be able to wash it afterwards

You are probably not aware that the native population of the Fiji Islands have a pre european history of pottery making as their islands are volcanic and hence they had clay. Their pots are fired in an open fire and when they are taken out and still hot the insides are rubbed with a gum from a tree. The gum melts into the porous clay and seals it from the inside so that they are virtually waterproof.

If you wanted to get a higher temperature you could build and fire a paper kiln. I have no doubts if you google "paper kiln" you will find articles on how to make one.

You could also build a small wood fired (or gas using a simple burner and a LPG cylindar from the barbeque.) kiln out of standard housebricks which you can fire right up to earthern ware temperatures. Also good for glaze (gerstly borate based) fired raku work.

Experiment and then experiment some more and build up your knowledge base.

Regards

Uncle John from down under We are heading into our summer Oh the sunshine, blue skies and golden sands

I would recommend a Raku clay which can withstand thermal shock.