Re: Wedging Table Questions

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I've tried using wood as a table surface, tried fiberglass, composites (like Formica style laminates), even an old stainless steel commercial kitchen table. Nothing...I repeat, NOTHING, held on to the clay like canvas. Regarding the issue of dust, I wait for mine to dry out (takes a day or so) then vacuum it with a beater bar equipped vacuum to get out all the dust.

Were you planning on using the plaster _under_ the canvas? And to what end? Wood worked out just fine for me. I built using a 3/4 inch thick piece of marine grade plywood. Won't rot, has no arsenic compounds commonly found in pressure-treated lumber. Ten years, and still going (or it was until it got smashed recently) I just roll the canvas under the edge of the table and stapled it (a lot).

Hope that helps, Wayne in Key West

Thanks for the help. I'm planning to use the plaster to help reclaim my clay. I'm still in debate as to whether or not I want to cover it with canvas. LMac

When I made my wedging table, I stapled the canvas to the wood. I use that piece for dark clay. I have two other pieces of canvas covered wood that I use for white clay and the other for colored clay. I just use a C-clamp to hold it down. I have my plaster in a separate frame that I can move outside as required to speed up the drying. Steve in Tampa, FL., USA

If you don't want to use plaster, you can dump your slurried clay into a old pant leg that is sewn shut at the cuff. Then, just let it hang from the ceiling. Place a bucket under the pant leg to catch the water. This method takes a little longer than plaster, but you don't have to worry about pieces of plaster contaminating your clay.

Another viewpoint:

I use a piece of slate as a wedging/workbench; it's slightly absorbent, doesn't shed bits into the clay, doesn't move when I'm wedging a large piece of clay, and doesn't trap clay dust. It started life as part of a Billiard table. I reclaim clay in a trouser leg as another contributor has posted.

Steve Bath UK

In article , psci_kw writes

I've always had the best success with a plain old plaster slab. Not only does the clay grab it pretty well but if my clay is a little gooey, it draws water out of it rather quickly and dries up itself i no time.

jim