Archie Zietman Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 Hello. I have decided to replace the grillable kitty litter paste in the bottom of my forge with some form of adobe lining, which will also allow my to sculpt the inside shape how I want it, as opposed to flat plane. I am gonna use Tim Lively's mix of 1/2 sand, and 1/2 earthen clay, but I have no idea what earthen clay exactly is, or what makes it so special. Therefore my questions are: what is earthen clay and what makes it so special? Thanks, Archie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Gold Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 Earthen clay is dirt that will clump together. You are making your journey towards having a forge verra complex, friend Archie. I commend to you the 55 Forge, and I suggest that since you probably have a pretty good computer, to look around online and find lots of pictures of people's forges. Note that if the dirt+sand cracks... just wet some dirt into mud and pack it in the cracks. K.I.S.S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapman1077 Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 T-Gold, I wonder how many know what that means? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie Zietman Posted June 5, 2005 Author Share Posted June 5, 2005 For now I am using dirt packed into the forge, and suck with water which works fine for the moment, I just need to make a defined forge pit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Gold Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 Scrapman, know what what means? K.I.S.S.? (Keep It Simple, Soldier!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapman1077 Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 T-Gold, you got it ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milt Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 Archie -- Clay is a natural earthen material. There are specific clay minerals and there are clay-sized sediment particles. Both are very fine-grained, and are slippery when wet. Traditional kitty litter is one type of clay material that is used to absorb moisture. Some clays are used as filler in fine paper and also in some foods. Others are used to make pottery & china. Thus, clays vary and not all clays are alike. You want a clay that will hold it's form when heated to a high heat and not crack. A fire clay from a place that sells fireplace building products or potter's kiln lining products. These are clays with high refractory properties that can stand high heat. An alternative is to experiment with local clay soils -- like my yard -- and hope to find one that works, at least for awhile. Hope this gibberish helps some. For specific detail, check a library dictionary or geological dictionary. There are textbooks that just discuss clays if you want to go overboard. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie Zietman Posted June 6, 2005 Author Share Posted June 6, 2005 Thanks. I was wondering what was so specifically special about EARTHEN clay, and now I know :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strine Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 Archie I was going to wax lirical about the best type of clay for your forge having studied the soil profiles of the Salem area. By my reckoning the best clay for your purpose will come from the.....Hang on, wait a minute, hold your horses, enough is enough. I'm going to keep mum until I see hard evidence of the progress of your efforts so far. You promised us pictures. I want pictures. I need pictures. I can't live without pictures. I must have pictures. No more words till the pictures arrive. Ahh come on Archie show us some pikkies. BTW I was kidding about my geological expertise. Just as any port will do in a storm, any clay will do in your first forge. :mrgreen: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie Zietman Posted June 6, 2005 Author Share Posted June 6, 2005 I have pikkies on my camera as of 30 seconds ago, I just need time to put them onto my computer, which will be later. Right now I'm off to kill, prepare and stew several roosters cajun style with Stefano my neighbor 8) WOOT!!! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie Zietman Posted June 6, 2005 Author Share Posted June 6, 2005 Yahoooooo!!!!! I have just killed, and cleaned my rooster Kosher style! 8) (In the middle of the city) I will upload pictures now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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