Fired Clay Pipes?

UncleReemis

Well-Known Member
Greetings. Anyone work with ceramics here? Wanting to try my hand at making some clay pieces. I've done some research, and so far I've found that you can fire your clay at home in a fire pit or charcoal grill, and that the healthiest clay to use is Earth clay, avoid polymer at all costs obviously. Also did some reading on the process of forming the pipe, but that's no rocket science and I'm good with my hands ;3

What about paint? Ceramic paint? You gotta make it look cool! Tips on that?

Any cool and artistic tricks you've learned? Any red flags in the overall process that I should take note of?

Thanks guys, much appreciation and all that stuff.
 

Flaming Pie

Well-Known Member
You need a kiln to be able to make your pipes into stoneware. Also cannot apply glaze without a kiln.

Kilns get upwards of 1400 degrees farenheit.
 

Squidbilly

Well-Known Member
or it turns into glass once its fired. I would do some research about it like you said, our art teacher always told us we couldn't use it for pipes, but I have a feeling she just HAD to say that so we weren't tempted to do it.
 

UncleReemis

Well-Known Member
I'm sure I can find a kiln somewhere. I'm pretty tight with the local arts center, they'll probably be able to help me out. Hopefully without sneering at me for making tobacco pipes.
 

bird mcbride

Well-Known Member
I'm sure an old diesel key mack stove would fire up 1400F.
I've seen plenty of ceramic pipes in my day. They're not new.
I had a new pipe on the go all the time as a teen. When I got in my twenties I went to a police station to make a complaint. There was a glass display of periphenalia and inside to my surprise were several of my home made pipes:)
 

UncleReemis

Well-Known Member
I'm sure an old diesel key mack stove would fire up 1400F.
I've seen plenty of ceramic pipes in my day. They're not new.
I had a new pipe on the go all the time as a teen. When I got in my twenties I went to a police station to make a complaint. There was a glass display of periphenalia and inside to my surprise were several of my home made pipes:)
That's epic, you should be proud!
 

killemsoftly

Well-Known Member
I'm sure I can find a kiln somewhere. I'm pretty tight with the local arts center, they'll probably be able to help me out. Hopefully without sneering at me for making tobacco pipes.
Funny, I was just over at Frenchy Cannoli's hash thread. They were talking about chillom's. He was saying clay is ideal. It can be cleaned. I'm interested in this and will dig around. There are sites selling traditionally made ones for 150euros. Seems steep but I figure why not make one at a pottery class and try it out for fun. The Chillum's look like a tube. They might not even cotton on.
 

polo the don

Well-Known Member
Funny, I was just over at Frenchy Cannoli's hash thread. They were talking about chillom's. He was saying clay is ideal. It can be cleaned. I'm interested in this and will dig around. There are sites selling traditionally made ones for 150euros. Seems steep but I figure why not make one at a pottery class and try it out for fun. The Chillum's look like a tube. They might not even cotton on.
I use a chillum. I love it. It's not a "real" or traditional one just one from a headshop but it's a good smoking piece. If you can make one I'm sure you will love it.
 

LIBERTYCHICKEN

Well-Known Member
You can make your own kiln very simmpily like they did years ago

Make a good size fire getting a large pile of embers , and then put sand on all sides put the piece on top and burry with more sand.

A simple furnace for metal working can be made out off 2 brake drums and some cement and vermiculite and a cheap propane tourch

The natural clay has limitations , the walls must be rather thick compared to the synthedic stuff
 

Diabolical666

Well-Known Member
or it turns into glass once its fired. I would do some research about it like you said, our art teacher always told us we couldn't use it for pipes, but I have a feeling she just HAD to say that so we weren't tempted to do it.
seems like it would be harsh smoke, and the pipe would get hot fast and hold heat longer then glass::shrugs:::
 
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