SB: floor stuff/clay mixing

["Steve Lewis" <seaweedsteve@newmexico.com>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mikal Jakubal" <mjakubal@asis.com>

> First, fill a 5-gallon bucket 1/2 full with dry or damp chunks, add water
> enough to cover and let soak overnight. >
> To mix it, I use a 1/2" drill with a large drywall mud mixer on it.

Mikal,  this is exactly what I do too.  I use trash cans
(smooth bottom).  Sometimes I do soak, sometimes don't.  The longer you
soak, the better, in any case.

 > The more water, the easier it mixes.   I usually make a too-thin mix,
pour it through 1/8" hardware cloth  into a plastic-lined bale pit or
plastic kiddie pool, and then let it
> settle. The excess water can be scooped off the top the next day or two.
> Or, depending on the use, I use it thin  and get the desired consistency
by
> adding dry stuff like sand, chopped straw, and the like.

Same here, basically.    Using two or more trash cans full of clay and
water, I mix, without concern for getting out pebbles or dissolving all the
clay.  When I have a good slip I dip and screen it into another trash can
for my refined slip.   Whatever is at the bottom of the crude one can stay
through many cycles of adding more clay and water.   The longer those chunks
stay in the water, the more they yield.  Lazy man's way.  When there is too
much junk on the bottom built up, I clean the trash can and start anew.
The undissolved clay can still be used later.

steve


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