So you think you want to make your own slip. Maybe it is because you want the control, perhaps because finding ready made slip has become a burden, or maybe it is a cost factor. Yes, it is less expensive to make your own, but you need to have a supplier close by who will sell you small amounts of chemicals and clays unless you plan on major production and can have your components shipped direct to you.

CLAY is heavy, it is not cheap to ship.

I have written about this subject in three separate articles breaking it down as a simple process. I do hope you read all three before you jump in and begin throwing ingredients together.

Part One - the Basics: This gives instruction on how to determine if you have good slip and how to test it.

Part Two - The mixer: This gives ideas on how to make your own mixer or where to buy one.

Part Three - The recipe: This gives you the ingredients and tells you how to put it together.

To read more, click on the linked titles above.

About 25 years ago, I always mixed up my own earthenware slip. It is not difficult, just takes patience and some time and a strong back; however when I moved to the South, there were no sources (that I could find - this was before the internet) to buy the raw materials. The only slip available was in pre-mixed, 2 gallon boxes. The cost was considerably higher, but the convenience was nice.

Now, though it is getting more and more difficult to find local supplies for hobbyists in the area of casting ceramic molds. I recently spent two weeks trying to find a local source for a gallon of ready made porcelain slip to fill an order for one of my customers.

I was about to tear out my hair before I finally found a source in another state and I had to pay high shipping costs to just get one gallon sent to me.

During my quest, I did find a local source who would have provided me with all of the fixin’s to mix my own slip; however they did not have a recipe for porcelain casting slip, just porcelain clay.

While waiting for my gallon of slip to arrive, I began a quest to find recipes to mix my own slip. I’m thinking it won’t be too long before I’m going to have to mix my earthenware slip also. To that end, I decided to share with my readers what I find out. I did find one recipe for porcelain casting slip - fire range cone 6-10. I have not attempted to make it yet, so I can not vouch for its result. If anyone tries this before I do, I would love to hear back as to what they think of the final result.

I will also be adding recipes for other slips besides porcelain soon.

To see this porcelain slip recipe, click here