This weeks project.

[gooch]

With frag plug season in full steam I am struggling to find time to sculpt. Here is this weeks custom structure. This is a short piece but it is pretty big. It is in the shape of a C. It was sculpted as one piece. Then divided into three.

It is about 22" across. I didn't measure it yet but I know it is pretty close to that. Still needs the final texturing and touch up.

[jolson10450]

have you ever thought of fireing that clay, them making a 2 piece die to form around it then fire the die, then you can just pretty much pour some aggrocrete in the die to keep making your custom shapes? then just drilling the holes for your plugs?

[gooch]

Originally Posted by jolson10450

have you ever thought of fireing that clay, them making a 2 piece die to form around it then fire the die, then you can just pretty much pour some aggrocrete in the die to keep making your custom shapes? then just drilling the holes for your plugs?

No. That's not an option for us. These pieces are designed to be one of a kind. I have almost no intention to mass produce these. ( You can never say never, but right now that is the furthest thing from my mind. ) I believe that no two aquariums should look the same so I don't want any of my structures to look the same. Similar? At times. That is why I only make one of these bigger structures at a time. It gives me time to think about a new look for each piece. If I am just pounding them out they all start looking the same. Then it gets old, boring and redundant........you know like a job. Even though it is part of my job. It's still a fun part of it. I don't want to get burned out by it. One of the best parts of setting up a tank for me was the aquascaping. A lot of people either do not like it or have trouble aquascaping. So I like comming up with new looks. One thing leads to another. If you do the same thing over and over you'll never do anything new.

Scott

[jolson10450]

Originally Posted by gooch

No. That's not an option for us. These pieces are designed to be one of a kind. I have almost no intention to mass produce these. ( You can never say never, but right now that is the furthest thing from my mind. ) I believe that no two aquariums should look the same so I don't want any of my structures to look the same. Similar? At times. That is why I only make one of these bigger structures at a time. It gives me time to think about a new look for each piece. If I am just pounding them out they all start looking the same. Then it gets old, boring and redundant........you know like a job. Even though it is part of my job. It's still a fun part of it. I don't want to get burned out by it. One of the best parts of setting up a tank for me was the aquascaping. A lot of people either do not like it or have trouble aquascaping. So I like comming up with new looks. One thing leads to another. If you do the same thing over and over you'll never do anything new.

Scott

good points! was just curious if it has ever came to mind.

[jimsflies]

Makes me want to rip the stuff out of my biocube and go with one of those. Each piece you post is better than the last!

[gooch]

Originally Posted by jimsflies

Each piece you post is better than the last!

Shhhhhhh......dont say that. Then everyone will want to be put further down on the list. Just kidding. We just try to make what the customer wants.

Scott

[gooch]

Just wait until you see our Macna display this year. It should be an impressive display.

[iyachtuxivm]

your work is really nice! I made some aggrocrete stuff for my 75. I would love to do some ceramic stuff looks like so much fun. How do you combat air pockets and firing or is that a trade secret?

[iyachtuxivm]

Originally Posted by gooch

Just wait until you see our Macna display this year. It should be an impressive display.

oops forgot to add you really need to post some pics of that!

[gooch]

Originally Posted by iyachtuxivm

your work is really nice! I made some aggrocrete stuff for my 75. I would love to do some ceramic stuff looks like so much fun. How do you combat air pockets and firing or is that a trade secret?

Lots of bull work. We get blow ups still. No process is ever perfect. But we've pretty much got the process down. I've been doing this stuff since 2004 pretty much every day. So we've had lots of practice and made lots of scrap.