best material or object to roll clay on

[PotteryLodge]

So I have a block of earthenware clay. I've been using a canvas piece to roll out the clay, but the clay sticks. I dusted the canvas with flour, which helps, but the flour ends up getting stuck and its just more of a mess.

Whats the best material or object to roll out clay on?

[BeachwoodStreet]

I am a roller too! I use canvas on a old slab of butcher block. I have several squares canvas. I do several things. I rotate the canvas. I have more than one rolling pin in case one gets damp. I will toss a damp canvas aside and start with a new one. NO FLOUR! I also roll out the slab and lift it off the canvas a few times during the process. Hope this help!

[PotteryLodge]

You are using canvas fabric right??? I've been using a canvas panel..lol. I bet that's why the clay is sticking.

[Former_Member]

I use old curtains and bed sheets on a wood surface. Never needed to dust or had a problem with sticking.

[PotteryLodge]

I just bought a clay rubber like mat online. Ill have to see how this works when I get it. Hopefully I can get the clay to stop sticking.

[BArwoodArt]

Use some Cornstarch to prevent clay from sticking to rubber. I put Cornstarch into a knee-high stocking and pounce a thin layer of Cornstarch on the clay or rubber mat before rolling out the clay. Your clay may be too wet if it is sticking to the canvas.

[Former_Member]

Turning the clay over frequently, helps. I use pressed wood board. Like mdf. Clay doesn't seem to stick to it much. Its porous. That helps. My rolling pin unfortunately is another story. I made one out of pvc pipe filled with concrete for weight. It is heavy and rolls real well but sticks badly. I tried using corn oil and that helped but I didn't like the oil residue on the clay. So now I just turn the clay over after every pass of the roller. That helps. The best I think us to use porous material like heavy canvas

[GoldhawkPotteryEtc]

when you first use canvas for rolling clay on, it will stick. But after lots of usage, clay dust seeps into the threads and then it doesn't stick anymore. Never wash that canvas! I bought an old rolling pin (wooden) at a garage sale for rolling out small pieces. I have a home made slab roller for large pieces, and always use folded over canvas. The clay is between the folds so it only touches canvas, not the board beneath it nor the roller above it. I remove the canvas texture by spray the flat clay with a little water, then use a rib to lightly wipe out the texture. I would never use any foreign material like flour or corn starch...its just not necessary. I use stoneware clay..

[firenfluxhandmade]

The rubber mat will probably be worse since it's not porous. I second Sara's suggestion from above. always use canvas below and above the clay then roll on the canvas itself. I don't mind the canvas texture for some things but it is easy to smooth out if you don't want it. I've never heard of anyone using corn starch or flour either and wouldn't recommend that for clay.

[BeachwoodStreet]

These are all great tips, but one more that I want to add is that when you start with a rolling pin, but a new one. If I could have back all the wasted time with Grandma's rolling pin... I bought three new ones 15 years ago. They cmae from the JCP houseware dept. They are heavy and wide and have ball bearings in the handles. I also only use one rolling pin for each color of clay. I also take a dusty sanding pad with clay dust still on it and sand the outside of of the rolling pin before I start. Are you rolling the rolling pin directly across the clay?

[BeachwoodStreet]

Here is the type of rolling pins I have. http://www.hospitalitywholesale.com.au/back-of-house/cooking-utensils/rolling-pins/heavy-duty-hardwo...

[PotteryLodge]

Thanks for the link Amaral. I've never sanded my rolling pin before, I think I will buy a new one and then sand it a little.

The canvas mat I bought came in the mail a few days ago and it works wonders better than my panel I was using. Still sticks a little but at least its workable.

thanks again everyone!

[FlamingChalice]

I use medium weight interfacing (I think the brand name is Pellon). It is cheap, doesn't leave canvass patterns on the clay. The heavy weight has a slightly bumpy pattern and the light weight wrinkles. May sure to not get the fusible.

[BeachwoodStreet]

Hi again. Just to be clear. The clay you are rolling out is rolled on canvas with a wooden rolling pin, correct? There should be no material needed between the clay and the rolling pin. ( Ill call that the surface.) The surface of the clay should be smooth, just like the rolling pin. When my rolling pin gets too damp, I swap it out for a dry one. I also use the sanding pad that i use to clean the greenware to sand off any bits of clay that stick to the rolling pin in the process. Please let me know if you have sucess. : )
Sue

[claynfiber]

Casi, if your clay is sticking on the canvas it may just be that your clay is a little too wet. When slab building and rolling out clay I prefer to use a little drier clay than what I use for throwing, simply because the drier clay sticks less. If the mat you bought is a 'slabmat' you'll love that it also gives you a nice smooth surface, no more smoothing off the canvas print! I use the 'slabmat' all the time with the slab roller.

[HurricanePottery]

Hi, I use slab mats, too. I prefer them to canvas when I don't want a competing texture. Sure it doesn't take much effort to run a rib over the clay and smooth out unwanted texture, but why have an extra step if you don't need it? I forgot about using interfacing, Kim! Thanks for the reminder.

[PotteryLodge]

Yes I bought a slab mat. My clay is sticking slightly because it's too wet so I usually have to work it for a while to dry it out a little before rolling it.

S. Amaral --- I am now using a slab mat (its kind of peachy colored) with a wooden roller.

What is the best tool for getting an even roll of clay? I'm using two yard sticks right now but its a little too thick for some of my work?

[claynfiber]

If your yard sticks are too thick how about trying some balsa wood strips? You can get them in different widths and thicknesses. I have bought them at JoAnn Fabrics or Michaels. I've found some to be firmer than others so may need to check around.

[PotteryLodge]

@gina

Thanks for the advice about the balsa wood strips. Those look a lot better in terms of thickness. I will have to go to joanns and look at them. thanks : )

[EarthElements]

Interfacing for me too

[EarthborneArt]

I use an old linen table cloth but a pillow case works just fine. As far as rolling pins go, the wood ones always broke so I bought a marble one and put a knee high nylon over it. Works like a charm.

[PotteryLodge]

@lucy

I have a wood rolling pin and the wood is clipping off into the clay now. Its weird. I've used that rolling pin for food for years, but when I started using it for clay the wood began to chip off. Oh and no I don't use it for food anymore, strictly clay. I think I might invest in a marble one...that sounds like a fancy roller.

[DMPottery]

I use a large wooden rolling pin and the surface of my bench which is marine ply. I roll directly onto the marine ply. As all surfaces are porous, the sticking isn't too bad. Just lift and turn between each roll - I would need to do that to get an even thickness and shape anyway, as I work without guides or a slab roller.

The bench is about 3 1/2 years old now and the surface is beginning to wear - but I like the faint wood texture I get on the back of my slab.

If I am doing demos away from my studio, I have a portable piece of marine ply I roll onto.