Extrusion

I have had an extruder for a while now ( 10 years ), but haven’t used it to it’s fullest. Last year I made a special effort and am now using it to make bottles.

For Christmas I bought myself a new die ( nothing to do with death) that would be dignitas in Switzerland . My die was made for me with a laser cutter by http://www.northshoremetalprofiles.co.uk. Situated on Hayling Island, the lovely Tina who we met earlier in the year at the Hayling Island art trail, cut it from my drawings , I had two cut . The following photos show how it works.

Looking down through the extruder to the die

loading up with newly de aired clay, thanks Peter .

Fresh extrusion

The three parts, body extruded , top thrown to fit a cork, and slab rolled for the base.

Body added to the top to enable centering

Body added to base with slurry

finished bottle ready for slip

White slip made from Devon ball clay.

Freshly dipped

Then dragged through with bristle brush and rubber tool. Then the long process of drying and eventually biscuit firing .