For dark reddish browns, apply the ferric at 1400F. lighter browns at 800F and yellow at 200F. Use a inferred surface heat thermometer, to determine the temp.
This is so awesome!! Where did you get the sprayer for the ferric chloride? I just started working with it for saggar, but never (until now) seen it used as a part of the horsehair process.
Well done! I have to say I am impressed. Looks like you have taken this old technique to a whole new level. You say you have been at this for 30yrs and it shows how progressive your thinking has really brought the art of Raku into the 21st🤔🙄🤓😜. Thanks for sharing 😍 One more thing, is that an electric kiln you are using???
Thanks and you’re welcome Katy!🌞 No, I use a gas kiln, but I’ve used an electric kiln dozens of times for Raku. Bright copper lusters can be achieved, by getting your piece in the bucket quickly, to give the reduction effect.
I've had it for about 25 years and it shows! I do wear a long sleeve cotton shirt and a leather welders jacket under the suit and I don't feel the heat coming through. My head and hands are the most vulnerable and I've burnt my hands a couple of times. Thanks!
Thank you for such a thorough video full of details. I'd like to try horse hair raku and want to get the right tools. Do you still currently use the CENTECH Infrared Thermometer with Class II Laser Targeting pictured in your video or have you upgraded to a newer model? Appreciated
Yes I do. I mainly use it when I apply ferric chloride. Dark brown at higher temperatures, light brown around 400F and all the way down to 200F - 300F for the bright yellow. This gauge only reads up to 968F, so it’s not really good for other raku.
It’s a Crown Spra tool. You can find it online, for about $18.00. When you run out of air, you can use computer compressed air for dust on keyboards. It much cheaper. Good luck!
Beautiful work! I did some feather & horse hair raku yesterday but not sure how to get the remaining debris off the pot without smudging it. What do you do? Also, yours were so shiny, did you coat them with something afterwards. Some people use wax but won't this smudge? TIA
I scrub every piece with a non abrasive pan scrubber. After it drys, I use a clear acrylic spray or apply “Mother’s” spray car wax, for a softer finish.
I am looking for a sprayer for ferric chloride, but can’t seem to find anything non corrosive in Canada. What brand of spray equipment do you use? Thank you very much for any info.
The yellow is ferric chloride, sprayed on at about 200F. I use a high temperature digital thermometer to measure the surface temperature. You can find them at Harbor Freight, Amazon, or auto parts stores. See my Facebook page “Alex Long artist” for dozens of photos & videos. RU-vid doesn’t post photos, as far as I know. I’ve tried. Good luck!🔥😎🔥
Hi Brooke! I use a locally manufactured clay called Bruce’s White, from Free Form Clay & Supply in San Diego, California. It’s a course cone-10 clay. Another one that I’ve used for years is WSO, from Laguna Clay Company, in Los Angeles, California. Also course and cone-10, but doesn’t throw as well on the wheel.
I pull them at about 1450F. They’re still too hot at that point, so it’s best to wait about 15 seconds best trying 1 hair first. If it’s too hot, the hair will create a lot of smoke and the lines aren’t defined. Apply first to areas that will cool first, such as a thin lip. Bowls, plates and open forms cool much faster, so you have to work quicker. Closed forms such as bottles, cool slower, so you have more time to apply your horsehair. If the surface becomes too cool, the hair won’t stick. This is where using a small propane torch gives you a little more time. Hold the hair with a leather glove on one hand, while using the torch with the other. Hold several strands from above and lay them on the surface, as you apply the flame about 6 inches away. If you get too close, all at once, you’ll blow the hair off the surface. Good luck!
You can get inexpensive ones on Amazon. This one reads up to almost 1400F, for about $25. www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-Thermometer-Temperature-Non-contact/dp/B00DMI62HM/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&hvadid=77996658710206&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=temp+gun+infrared&qid=1614790717&sr=8-9
Marlene Richards you can use different kinds of hair (horse hair, dog hair, human hair). Each type of hair will yield different results due to oils and thickness. Have fun exploring!
