Hey Sorce - fired clay balls

[Anthony]

@sorce ,

if you could find a rapid way to manufacture 5 mm balls of fired earth.
Presently the ficus in the balls is out performing the ones growing
in other inorganic mediums.

A simple idea for potters.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[Starfox]

if you could find a rapid way to manufacture 5 mm balls

Are you hand rolling them?

A boillie rolling table may help speed things up.

 

[sorce]

Ficusoil.

Sorce

 

[Joe Dupre']

On this concept, what about re-firing cheap calcined clay floor dry into a true ceramic material. Seems like whenever a kiln is being fired, you could piggy-back a load of floor dry in the nooks and crannies of the kiln. I don't think it would add to the cost of the firing and you would have top quality high fired soil material. How about it , Sorce?

 

[JEads]

Hyrdroton is a balled and baked inert clay that is used in hydroponic growing. It sounds much like you are talking about. I cannot endorse it as a growing medium, but i remember seeing it in a hydro store one time and remembering it. much easier than making it yourself.

 

[penumbra]

what about re-firing cheap calcined clay floor dry into a true ceramic material. Seems like whenever a kiln is being fired, you could piggy-back a load of floor dry in the nooks and crannies of the kiln

Too many variables. You have to know the melting temperature and what if any fumes this product would produce are at the top of the list. You could easily ruin a load of pottery or worse yet, you could damage your kiln. I did kiln repair for 8 years and I saw a lot of meltdowns and other disasters. In a few cases the kiln was beyond repair. Also, kiln repairs can be costly. You would have to try this first with a test kiln or a sacrificial kiln.

 

[Anthony]

Presently, hand rolling 4 mm raw earthenware clay, heavily grogged.
A test,
Fired in a home - built small test kiln.
Will update when done.
Good Day
Anthony