Clay Ash Tray Construction

[kenstogie]

So I am putting a fence in my back yard. I dig the holes with a MANUAL post hole digger. Yea I am nuts. I had many a blisters. There were 12 holes, 3 feet deep to the frost line. I only did one side that time. The fence turned out straight as an arrow.

I hit clay while digging and after smoking Cigars all these years and not having an appropriate ashtray the light goes off. Lets use this clay to make an ashtray. I sift the clay of all the little rocks, mold it and let it air dry. Now I have an ashtry thats made from the good earth and nothing more. It works great except it gets my cigars a little dusty.


[SIZE="3"]-- What do I paint the thing with? My hot ash/cigar will be resting there so I don't want any wierd toxic chemicals or anything that will affect the flavor of my cigars. ANY IDEAS?[/SIZE]

[adamh_25_]

I'd say to put some sort of sealer/primer on there first. Then put whatever color you want down. Then, I'd cover it with a clear coat. That way, the smell from the paint wont get out and it'll keep it pretty clean. The clearcoat smell should eventually fade away. If not that then use some lacquer....that doesnt hold a smell to long either.
Adam

[JPH]

I'n no ceramic pro..I have done it though....I think you may need to fire it somehow....I dont know the soil composition out there...I heard one time that you can fire in your home oven..low temp for long time...dont quote me on this I only heard it once...let me know what you do b/c There is tons of clay under us clevelanders feet...and my coffee can ash tray is not as cool as a clay one would be. PM me the result or post in this thread if ya can ...thanks

[smokinpoke]

very interesting idea you had there. i would keep it the natural color. that way it doesn't look like a kindergarden art project. post some pics. i know here in oklahoma we have a red clay but as JPH said you might want to take it to a ceramic shop and have it fired and sealed.

[niner]

Originally Posted by kenstogie

So I am putting a fence in my back yard. I dig the holes with a MANUAL post hole digger. Yea I am nuts. I had many a blisters. There were 12 holes, 3 feet deep to the frost line. I only did one side that time. The fence turned out straight as an arrow.

Did you call before you dug? I didn't a couple years ago and I hit the power line to the house. Thank God I was using a fiberglass handled PHD. I was showered in sparks and shook for at least an hour afterward.