Worst case scenario for handle joins and successful drying

Friday 7th July 2017

These M390 mugs had progressed to stiff leather hard (after handles were applied, using just slip, and bases trimmed). A white engobe was then applied to the inside. It significantly softened the bodies of the mugs (to re-dry them to the point of being able to turn them over takes 4-6 more hours). This process sets up a big moisture differential between mug and handle. "Even drying" is the key to success, so slowing down the handles is obviously needed. How? I apply insight-live.com/material/3157">wax emulsion (actually I like Reed Wax), leaving just the inside handle-curves bare. That slows down drying enough to keep them even with the body of the mug. This method works so well that these do not even need covering during drying (even in our desert climate). Even drying is the goal - fast and even drying is much better than slow and uneven.

Pages that reference this post in the Digitalfire Reference Library:

Wax Emulsion, L3954B - Cone 6 Engobe (for M340), A step to prevent cracking at handle-joins on thrown mugs, Place mugs with handles at the center and cover for drying, Drying Performance, Drying Crack, Engobe, Handles

This post is one of thousands found in the Digitalfire Reference Database. Most are part of a timeline maintained by Tony Hansen. You can search that timeline on the home page of digitalfire.com.