: Mark C. - Viewing Profile

You could also fill it with the special ITC filler and wash over it . This stuff is spendy but works great.
Mark

You can fire as fast as your furniture can take really. The thing that folks have eluded to is that many glazes look better with some time near high points to mature. That is the time they are very near end point in a cone or temperature setting. Most glazes will look better if allowed to have a slower time around maturing temperature-that is slow down near the end so they can mature slowly. This way the crystals can mature and the glaze matrix will look better. The cool down also needs to be slower so the glaze can cool slowly from the top end. This will make your glazes look better..
If you want to really find out how this works you can try what I did in 1972 fired my small gas kiln to cone 10 then unbrick the door as soon as it turns off. This reveals all glaze /body flaws such as shivering and dunting and can lead to kiln shelve loss. You only need to do this once to learn the down side to quick cooling.
Since then I was nicknamed the Cooler King until Steve MaQueen got the name in the great Escape.
I like a two day cool now unless its a time squeeze.
Its good to test the limits in ceramics to know what they truly are as many limits taught in schools are not really where you may think.
Mark

Northstars used to be poorly made but the last one I inspected was way better built than say 15 years ago.
I still feel the best ones are Baileys but thats after using one in production for many years as well as seeing them hold up in school situations for many many years and still keep on going strong.
Like a timex it keeps on ticking.
I know know nothing about slab masters.
Sounds like a late night TV cutting board ad-you get not one but two slab masters and wait there more a bamboo steamer tossed in for free for 3 easy payments of 39.95 plus shipping and handling charge of 29.95
Mark

Ceramics do not drill well-the chances it dies are very high with drilling-if you do use a diamond or masonary bit water and go REALLY slow
I would not drill it as its asking for trouble and thier are many ways to avoid it and have it still work as a drum .
Next drum make the holes first.
Mark

I think you post is a good one as its good to think about others. I know I fit one of the ones who post a lot. I always to some degree think how I would like to be treated. That said I do have thick skin.
I have been a moderator for many years on a few other forum sites that are not clay related so I know more than I will let on.I will say this site generally is pretty tame.
Thanks for the post.
Mark