[TheForge] Fire clay

[Bob Ehrenberger]

Bruce makes a good point.  The AP Green refractory plant is only about 40
miles south of where I live (or at least it was until it closed recently).
I would suspect that the clay on my property is not a lot different.  I've
always wondered if the refractory was mainly due to the raw material (clay)
or the way it is processed.  Clay is easy to come by and it wouldn't hurt to
give home dug material a try.

Robert Ehrenberger
Shelbyville, Mo.

+++ Original Message +++
Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 16:31:04 -0400
From: "Bruce Freeman" <FREEMAB at pt.fdah.com>
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Fire clay

Phlip,

You ARE aware, I suppose, that fire clay is a natural mineral and can
be dug from the ground in many areas.  USGS, USDA, state agencies, etc.,
may be able to tell you whether there's a clay vein on your property.
You can look at stream banks to see if there's an obvious clay layer.
Or get a bunch of little boys to dig holes to China in your back yard
and watch for clay...

Bruce
NJ