Rolling Clay

One tip that I have found helpful is to *ignore* the handles on
the rolling pin. and just use the palms of your hands on the
top of the actual roller portion to move the roller along.
This greatly reduces the clay winding itself up around the
roller for me.

Really? Should I not use a roller handles and it would help? I would try
it, thanks. It sounds a bit strange, you know what a difference could make
using or not using a handles but I'm going to check it.

On the other hand, if your clay is simply too wet, you can
wedge it a bit on the canvas board and that will remove
excess water before you start to roll it.

This it also a good possibility to try for me - thanks .
Joanna

Hello,
I have a stupid and naive question which is connected with this problem:
Should I put this canvas under and on clay that I want to roll ? I have a
problem with sticking clay to my roller. This is really annoying.
Thanks for any help .

Joanna

I throw the clay out on canvas to thin it, then use a long dowel on each
side of
the slab to ensure it will be uniform. I roll them out on canvas and use
clay
dust or corn starch on the top if it gets sticky. Usually, I just move to
a dry
area of canvas and that does the trick. I roll from the middle to the far
end,
then turn the slab over and roll from the middle to the other end. If the
slab
isn't too big, I turn in 90 degrees and repeat. This gives a nice uniform
slab.
Best, Sue

Thanks, it is an excellent explanation.
I think that this prompt about clay dust (or corn starch) will make the best
solution to my problem. I was thinking about something like that (after all
when we rolling a cake or paste we use a flour) but I wasn't sure what I
should use.
I wonder that corn starch do not influence in some way to clay?
Best, Joanna

On Sat, 13 Jan 2007 18:58:09 +0100, "Joanna" wrote:


One tip that I have found helpful is to *ignore* the handles on
the rolling pin. and just use the palms of your hands on the
top of the actual roller portion to move the roller along.
This greatly reduces the clay winding itself up around the
roller for me.

Really? Should I not use a roller handles and it would help? I would try
it, thanks. It sounds a bit strange, you know what a difference could make
using or not using a handles but I'm going to check it.

Yes, it does sound strange, but it makes a real difference for me.
I think the reason may have to do with the fact that when I use the
handles, I may tend to push forward a bit too much, tending to make
the roller "plow" into the clay slightly. Using only the top of the
roller seems to match the forward motion to the downward force
better. Or something! Whatever, it's a big difference for me. And
it's easy enough to try out to see if it helps you.

On the other hand, if your clay is simply too wet, you can
wedge it a bit on the canvas board and that will remove
excess water before you start to roll it.

This it also a good possibility to try for me - thanks .
Joanna



Best regards,


Bob Masta
dqatechATdaqartaDOTcom

D A Q A R T A
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www.daqarta.com
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On Sun, 14 Jan 2007 10:02:01 +0100, "Joanna" wrote:

I think that this prompt about clay dust (or corn starch) will make the best
solution to my problem. I was thinking about something like that (after all
when we rolling a cake or paste we use a flour) but I wasn't sure what I
should use.
I wonder that corn starch do not influence in some way to clay?
If the corn starch is only on the top layer it will burn off for sure. If you
wedge it back into clay a lot, it may have some influence, but I rather doubt
it. If corn starch worries you, just use clay dust - that will be no problem at
all. Best, Sue

Use the leg from pantyhose on your rolling pin.
Never sticks. I've used the same one for a year now and it's still
going strong.

I prefer a canvas covered board as the base.

Good luck with your project. It sounds fun.

Catherine in Yuma, AZ




On Thu, 11 Jan 2007 21:26:37 -0000, "usene"
wrote:

Hi
Just a quick one off question I hope someone here won't mind answering.
We are making many small clay flowers and have to roll the clay
thinly and then cut with a pastry type cutter. What is the best surface to
roll out on?
We can't stop the clay sticking and damaging them. We have many thousands to
do.
Thank you in advance for your advice.

Mark

"Sue Roessel Dura" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 11 Jan 2007 21:26:37 -0000, "usene" wrote:

Hi
Just a quick one off question I hope someone here won't mind answering.
We are making many small clay flowers and have to roll the clay
thinly and then cut with a pastry type cutter. What is the best surface to
roll out on?
We can't stop the clay sticking and damaging them. We have many thousands
to
do.
If you don't want the texture of the canvas on them, I hear that dry wall
makes
a good surface. I use canvas and then smoothe the surface with a red
Sherrill
rib which also aligns it to make it stronger and less likely to warp.
But make
sure they dry very slowly too so they don't warp. Best, Sue

I know I read someone else mention throwing the clay to thin it out but now
I can't see it. I will just add to that comment that by throwing (throw the
clay down at an angle), you not only are taking out a lot of the work of
thinning by rolling but you are compressing and aligning the clay particles
in a good way. If you do this on a cement floor to about 2" thick, you can
easily move it to a covered surface (as mentioned, cloth, canvas, tar paper)
and roll it out.

Donna