January 10, 2003, Newsletter Issue #121: More DIY ceramic tools

Tip of the Week

How to make a test sieve: 11177
A small test sieve is a must, for experimenting with glazes and oxides.
They are very easy to make and become invaluable.
Purchase a strong plastic container approx. 1 liter capacity. With a rim
on the base, the rim gives the sieve strength. Also purchase 200 mesh wire, it is expensive, but only a tiny circle is required.
Cut around the rim with a Stanley knife, heat a long handled knife in an
open flame (a gas kiln is great), and gently melt the plastic around the
hole and stick the mesh to the molton plastic.
This technique can be used on a bucket sieve as well for large batches
of glaze.


Damp Box/cupboard 66237
Buy a large plastic (Rubbermaid-type) container (at Target or any variety store for under $10.) Pour a couple inches of plaster into the bottom of the container. After the plaster has cured for a couple weeks, soak it with water. Now you can put pieces in there, put the lid on, and they will stay damp. This is great for pieces that you plan to assemble later such as parts of a teapot or sculpture, for handles, and in-process work. Every now and then the plaster will start to dry out, then just re-wet it.

Glaze stirrers:
What can I use for a stirring stick?
Instead of wood stirring sticks for stirring glazes, cut lengths of PVC pipe. They can stay in the glaze indefinitely and won´t rot.

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