I was disappointed in practice 2 that I could not get the same results on final pieces, as on my test tiles. So I decided to make some mid-size pieces, that I could use as a stepping stone before my final forms. I also saw this as a chance to try to improve my slab joins.
My pots in practice 2 had an average of 15 joins, so getting them right is important. I had a close look at the joins on all seven pots, on each of the first five pots there were cracks on at least one join, the last two pots were ok. Each time there was a slight crack, it was on a butt joint, basically where the slabs were joined flat, at 90 degrees to each other. The mitred joins which are more difficult to work out when making, fired well. I decided to try a few experiments to improve my making, and this is what I found.
Mitred joins work better on both boxes and hexagons
Mitred bases work on boxes, but not more complex shapes
It better to finish the inside slabs during making and before final joining. Removing marks and sharpening the joins as you go minimises working in difficult spaces later
It better to score all the slabs, for the first time, before starting to make. Saving time during assembly helps 'manage the moisture'.
Don't wet the slabs all in one go, just score them, otherwise they absorb too much water.
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