It is a bronze pouring day today, but this
seems a movable feast. The last mould in the kiln finished flaming last
night. They had a problem with the VAT
on some receipts – seems like the authorities make up the rules as they go
along!
Email system seems to be quite good today –
cut down on time writing several. Able
to send over the net but seem to be receiving the emails for Virgin
automatically, but not able to access the gmail.
The clay l am using (river clay with quite a
bit of sand in it) dries out very quickly and doesn’t seem to be brittle like
the clay in UK – it seems to bake in the sun eg. the clay column l made as a
maquette for the trees. Also the clay mounds l put under polythene with damp
cloths still doesn’t keep the clay soft, it still seems to set and therefore
only remain workable for a short time.
I will maybe do some clay negative plaques of
sections of the ground with clay impresses today, to see what effect it gives
and whether it would be useful to combine with something else, or whether they
would be interesting in their own right.
We may be able to invest one or two of the trees today?? In between
pouring.
Started the clay impress and cast the back
with plaster – this goes off really quickly and feels quite sandy and rough,
although luckily doesn’t have major lumps in it. Cannot tell how hard it sets until l release
it from the clay beneath – not much time to shake the plaster into the clay to
prevent air bubbles, so don’t know how refined it will be. Maybe try different mixes.
They have fired up the furnace and scrimmed
the outside of the investments whilst still in the kiln, using sacking dipped
in plaster. Seven people are involved
including Jacob, Emmanuel, David, Sanya, Muhuto, Adolf and one other.
It looked like lead was put into the crucible
when it was nearing temperature. Then
the first pour was done – some concern about filling over the cup, which
spilled over and therefore could have blocked the risers, but seemed OK. Crucible was put back to reheat for 45 mins
for the second mould. They recognise the
temperature by eye – if the iron rod, which is propped up against the opening
to the furnace melts, it is too hot, and if it doesn’t glow, it is too cold. Stirred in a lump of TIN (not lead) at the
end this time, so it didn’t evaporate – needed especially for bell casting.
Does this enable the bronze to pour more easily and fluidly?
The plaster relief l made was quite hard so
didn’t need reinforcing. Hopefully now
the bells have been cast, there will be more time to get some research done.
Workshop tomorrow. Emmanuel has brought in a watch, cufflinks
Winnie bought him and his bible with the attributes of a wife needed – also
above this a list under the heading of sex!!!
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