using sumi ink to coat a new bowl

scottv · Post by **scottv** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 6:49 pm

has anyone ever used sumi ink to 'carbonize' a new bowl?
the blocks of ink they sell to make calligraphy with are basically carbon and some binder (usually pine oil or something) and i was wondering if anyone has ever tried using this inside the bowl?

thanks

Post by **KurtHuhn** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 11:08 am

You probably don't want to do that. The carbon would be fine, but the binder might cause you problems depending on what it is. Also, I suspect it might be too thin to be effectively applied.

An easily mixed bowl coating that's in use by a number of folks is:
- buttermilk
- sour cream (or creme fraiche)
- activated charcoal/carbon

The ingredients of this recipe are readily available, and it's almost impossible to mess up the ratio. When the consistency resembles interior latex paint, and it's jet black, it's ready to apply. Just be sure you sand the interior of the bowl with some 220 grit paper to make a good surface for it to adhere to.

ToddJohnson · Post by **ToddJohnson** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:21 pm

I use broccoli rabe, turnip paste, and squid ink.

TJ

RadDavis · Post by **RadDavis** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:44 pm

Where do you get broccoli rabe?

Rad

baweaverpipes · Post by **baweaverpipes** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:14 pm

RadDavis wrote:Where do you get broccoli rabe?

Rad

Rad,
Does this mean you already have the squid ink?

RadDavis · Post by **RadDavis** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:06 pm

And the turnip paste!

I just need some broccoli rabe, and I'm good to go.

Rad

scottv · Post by **scottv** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:00 pm

thanks-i'll try the buttermilk- i may skip the broccoli (seems like it may be for the more advanced)

-ay thoughts on a holding device that would fit inside the pipe that you have drilled and expand against the bowl to allow you to sand or shape- i saw something in a magazine that looked like it might have an expansion head on it or it might just be a compression head with tape) - any thoughts on this out there?

RadDavis · Post by **RadDavis** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:15 pm

Most things that actually expand against the inside of the bowl will leave tool marks which are a pain to get out later.

I've sanded a wood dowel to a taper that fits snugly enough to do some sanding. If you snug it too tightly, you'll crack the bowl.

Rad

Post by **KurtHuhn** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:52 pm

You can use a 1/2" dowel with a slot cut in it to hold a folded over strip of sandpaper. Spin it at 2700 RPM and it will expand against the sides and do it's thing. You can either let it naturally sand with only centripetal force as the pressure (takes longer), or press the sides of the bowl against the spinning dowel (almost immediate gratification, requires more manual control).

If this description falls short, I can take a pic pf my dowel tomorrow - or maybe Frank can give us a technical drawing.

RadDavis · Post by **RadDavis** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 10:05 pm

Hey Kurt,

I may have misunderstood, but I think he's looking for something to hold the pipe by the inside of the bowl while sanding/shaping the outside.

Rad

Frank · Post by **Frank** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:13 am

KurtHuhn wrote: - or maybe Frank can give us a technical drawing.

Post by **KurtHuhn** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:10 am

RadDavis wrote:Hey Kurt,

I may have misunderstood, but I think he's looking for something to hold the pipe by the inside of the bowl while sanding/shaping the outside.

Rad

Ah! I think you're right Rad - looks like I misunderstood the context of the question. I was still on the inside of the bowl.

ToddJohnson · Post by **ToddJohnson** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 12:10 pm

RadDavis wrote:Hey Kurt,

I may have misunderstood, but I think he's looking for something to hold the pipe by the inside of the bowl while sanding/shaping the outside.

Rad

Use a clean-ream pipe tool or a wooden dowel. The former is probably safer because you can actually crank it tighter rather than just hoping for a good fit.

TJ

ckr · Post by **ckr** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 5:03 pm

If you turn your dowels a bit loose and round off the end to match the chamber two or three wraps of masking tape will give a tight fit. Never noticed any marks left in the chamber from them.

scottv · Post by **scottv** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 7:28 pm

thanks for all of your replies- this is a great forum (what's a clean -ream pipe tool?) (i'll google it)
thanks again

FredS · Post by **FredS** » Sat May 02, 2009 1:01 pm

RadDavis wrote:I've sanded a wood dowel to a taper that fits snugly enough to do some sanding. If you snug it too tightly, you'll crack the bowl.

I use dowels (broomstick) similar to what Rad explained.

ckr · Post by **ckr** » Sat May 02, 2009 2:09 pm

Hi Fred,

I would guess cutting up that broom explains all the debris in the picture.