Wednesday, March 3, 2010

I'm just going to say it

Olympdick. There I said it. I can't claim credit for this, a friend of mine, who wishes to remain anonymous came up with this one. And it is so perfect. See these posts? They came in the mail today. I know not why. I do know that I don't have enough shelves for all of the freaking posts that have been sent to me because THEY CRACKED AND DID NOT GET REPLACED BY the big "O". And see below? That is a thermocouple I ordered because the one from Axner that is less than a year old has gone out (how long do those things last anyway) and I refuse to ever order anything from Axner again so I ordered this one from Bailey who I got my wheel from and have always had great service from. But I don't think I got the right thing, it is very long...... and the place the big O put the hole for the thermocouple in their kiln is stupid and this will be protruding all the way across one of my shelves, one of the two that aren't cracked. Oh well, I may just drill a hole in a place that I think is more appropriate and see how it goes.

Other news, I made another vase. If you have paid any attention to this blog at all you will know that I can't for the life of me make two of the same thing on the wheel. I can't throw two one pound mugs that are the same, but somehow I managed to make 2 twelve pound coil built vases that are nearly identical, made several days apart. How did I do this? I don't know!
Last little thing I have for you and then I am going to watch American Idol (I know, shut up, I like it ok?) Here are some new tools. The one on top, I found out by accident while reaching for the nearest thing to me, is perfect for sealing those corners in slab built forms like boxes. I have to put tiny coils in the corners of my boxes because they will fall apart in the Raku fire if I don't. This tool is a bone folder that it used in bookmaking and paper crafts. I love the way it feels and it also smoothes out the edges on my boxes better than any tool I have. Middle tool, I used a paddle like this at Starworks on Monday, and since Wayne wouldn't sell it to me, I came home and made my own. I had a crappy very wide paddle that I never use, so I cut an inch off of each side of it and used a wood carving set that I have to carve the grooves. I like it, not as nice as Wayne's but it will git er done. Last, they were giving these out at the Olympics apparently, Gerry came home with so much swag, it's ridiculous, but I snatched this immediately. It makes a great rib and I also used it as an anvil when paddling my coil vase today. Works great. Not sure what is is really for but it is a beautiful smooth piece of wood. Just some promo thing, guess they will never know what a great pottery tool it is :) Nice to have Gerry home, he seems to be in decompression mode, just trying to readjust to being home. He goes straight in to ACC this weekend. Class tomorrow, we are making stamps!

12 comments:

Hollis Engley said...

That does look like an awfully long thermocouple for your kiln. But maybe you can find a place where you can put it that it won't get in the way of anything. Or maybe you just find a shorter one. The two I use in my somewhat bigger kiln protrude about four inches inside the kiln. And they're not protected by the sheath yours is, so each only needs a tiny hole. In any case, it doesn't matter a great deal where you put it, since it's only measuring the heat in that one place, anyway. You must use cones in there, too, don't you?

Kari Weaver said...

The pots look great. It seems like you came away from that workshop with some great ideas and put them immediately to use.

I'm going to hunt down one of those bone folder tools. I have to reinforce all my seams with coils, and it looks perfect for the job.

Wish I could offer some advice on the kiln, but I'm pretty clueless. It sucks when you can't have confidence in your equipment.
I suppose the thermocouple is so long to keep it more into the interior and away from the heat source.

MH said...

As long as the two leads aren't shorted out the only part of that thermocouple that matters is the tip. You only need to insert it as far as needed if you can support the bit that's outside the kiln. I order thermocouple parts from a company that does industrial and scientific precision measurement exclusively. I have to be careful about what I order but I get exactly what I order and the folks are really helpful answering questions. Omega is the name I think. Can't be sure, no coffee yet this morning.........

Tracey Broome said...

Hollis, I don't use cones for Raku or bisque and I am not doing any glaze firings because I don't trust the shelves,sadly, so I do need a thermocouple. Last time I did a Raku fire without it, just watched the pots, that's pretty chancy with my glazes. Kari definitely get a bone folder, I inherited mine but I'm sure any craft store of paper supply store will have them, MH I was thinking the same just leave it sticking out until it wears out and double check next time I order one to get the right size. I could return it, but such a hassle.

cookingwithgas said...

Hey T- one word- no more Olymdick in your life! There has to be a way to just part company with these folks, work out what you have- did they replace the shelves, I don't remember, and never never use them again.
Oh- I see they did not replace them. i bet you are not alone in this matter.
Wow! You took away a lot from the workshop! The vases look great.
I know who MH is, you have had lunch with him at my house.... if you need more advice shoot him an email.

ang design said...

heheheh you're brilliant i had a great laugh several times reading this one and lovely pots trace you're on a roll girl!!!

Kim from Kansas said...

A bone folder! I will have to get mine out, as I also used to do papercrafting. Thanks for the tip!

Anonymous said...

who could resist a post with that title. the saga continues i guess. the coiled pots are great and i have the same thing with multiples. if someone order 10 of something i need to make 30.

cindy shake said...

That's one LONG thermocouple... looks like the kind that get inserted from the bottom (no pun intended -but with the bone folder and Olympdi...things can get outta hand quick...) My thermocouple is only 4" and even that is a pain so it doesn't touch any of my pieces. I do know that are real fragile. You should probably check your credit card statement because you've probably been CHARGED for those stilts and by the inch for your thermocouple!!!

DirtKicker Pottery said...

Hi Tracy, The coil vases are awesome. I'm with you. If I throw 2 identical pots it's a miracle. Close in size is good enough for me :)

What the heck did they send you? If you ask me.. that is a crazy long thermocouople.

Tracey Broome said...

Hey Ya'll, thanks for the kind words. As always I LOVE hearing from you!!

Linda Starr said...

Great pots and the tops are super, so unique, and thx for the tips on tools, I need some of those for sure.