It's not easy.

[eyeloveteeth]

i love smileline porcelain trays.

@Marcus - look at Rich Pavlak's one bake crown video - actually reach out to him if you can - he's out in NJ; very dear friend and one of the legends imho.

I admire your desire to learn the old techniques - i wish I had your will and tenacity.

What I've found the best is you need to figure out the consistency that is best for you. Wet clay or silt like? And then you need to perfect your positioning to avoid slumping.

Beyond that, it's a matter of color and truly knowing the shapes.

 

[adamb4321]

I dip into the jar.

I do that at the moment too, I get to point where the last third of a jar can be a bit "clumped" together with moisture.

 

[mptz]

I use the jar never get clumping always use tap water done it for 15 years some powders are easier to use than others I use noritake but inline and style work well anything too fine slumps a little.

 

[mptz]

Before you store your jars back shake them hard a couple of times.

 

[rkm rdt]

I don't get much clumping but the jars have to have a wide opening to do it right.
I use czr and emax .
Even with the odd clump, you are no where near the amount of waste from those wet trays.

 

[ps2thtec]

Who makes those dry powder palettes?

I got them years ago from pentron ceramics. The manufacturer was WarpNine. This link shows them still available.

http://castagnolo.com/catalog.php?category_id=16

 

[ps2thtec]

Who makes those dry powder palettes?

Saw this listing on flea bay for some of these trays.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Warp-Nine-S...388822?hash=item4b0faaa516:g:m8UAAOSwaB5XkPBn

 

[Adi]

Then there's the dry powder technique.
No waste and complete control.
Brush tips won't abrade and lasts forever.

Could you explain this dry powder technique please

 

[rkm rdt]

Could you explain this dry powder technique please

You basically dip your brush into the jar and add the porcelain to the frame.
The moisture in the brush will draw a controlled amount from the jar. Just be sure to restablish the bristles into a point after wetting the brush in the buildup liquid.

 

[ps2thtec]

Could you explain this dry powder technique please

This pic explains the theory from the people that developed the dry powder trays. But trays are no longer available.
Not many are doing Lot of porcelain buildup like pfm work anymore. Those trays saved time not having to open jars all the time.