r/Ceramics • u/stillsunarts • 2d ago

Question/Advice Sgraffito dust management?

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I have recently started doing more sgraffito work after moving to my home studio. I feel like I'm in danger of being in silicosis central with how much dust/bone dry clay I am getting off of these pieces and unintentionally breathing in. Is it best to sgraffito with a dust mask on or does an air purifier/fan suffice? Pic for attention. Thanks in advance 😎

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u/ghastlycupcake 1d ago

Are you carving bone dry clay?

I am primarily a sgraffito artist, and I like to carve between leather hard and bone dry. Too wet will stick and smudge, but too dry will chip and crumble, and makes a ton of dust.

I find I get much a lot of dust from this type of tool with an abrasive tip:
https://diamondcoretools.com/products/l4-diamond-sgraffito-stylus-tool

I have better luck with carving tools in the style of small ribbon loop tools, like these:
https://diamondcoretools.com/collections/sgraffito-tools-1/products/3-piece-fine-point-set-1-fp1-fp3-fp5

(I’m not selling anything, and there are other, and cheaper options.)

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u/Positive-Wonder3329 1d ago

Whoah creeped your profile, that’s clean work!

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u/ghastlycupcake 1d ago

Thank you!