repairing a clay toby jug

[creativerich]

Hi,

I am new to the site, so hello to everyone.

I have just made 2 toby jugs.I fired them last week and one of them did not like the kiln :(

As a result one came out fine and the other has the nose and lips of the face missing. I really do not want to remake the jugs and am looking at a way to repair the damage.

Does anyone know if it is possible to use something like polyfilla to repair a clay model and still be able to glaze it afterwards.

I basically wondered if polyfilla can withsatnd the temperature of being glazed in the kiln or will it blow up? Or does anyone know any material that would work.

Cheers,

Rich

[potpartner]

If its biscuit ware you could use 'mend- a - friend' or fine kiln repair mortar but it will always be a 'second'. I would never 'patch' something up and sell it on but i guess if its for your own use thats ok. If its already glaze fired to maturity don't waste your time just make another.

Filler ? forget that idea

[Cuckoos Nest]

Once it's fired you can't mend it and fire again as nothing will withstand the second firing. If the nose and lips have just blown off and will join on again you could attempt an Araldite mend once the firings are complete. But I'd agree with potpartner, certainly not if they're for sale, and probably better just to remake the piece.

I'm afraid kiln fractures are part and parcel of the potting process. It's probable that you got some air trapped when you were attaching the nose and lips. Always better to pull out the clay from the main body rather than attaching small pieces.

(I may be teaching my grandmother to suck eggs and you may know all this anyway.)

[creativerich]

Thanks pot partner and cuckoos nest for your comments.

It is just a present for a a couple of friends so I am sure they won't mind if it is a second. I might try the kiln repair mortar as it has only been biscuit fired. Where would I purchase this from?

Many thanks,

Rich

[creativerich]

I have found a hi-temperature adhesive as well as the kiln repair cement on a website called creativeglassshop. Do you think the adhesive would withstand the temperature of a glaze firing?