Jean Lehman on fri 15 aug 97
It is easy to use the Giffin Grip with uncentered pots... just add a piece
of foam to the holders where needed until the foot will be where you want
it. It still saves a ton of time, although I don't usually let students use
mine unless they have a really strangely shaped pot that would be really
hard to trim the usual way.
Jean
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Next question: I always thought that the Giffen Grip would be of no use
> unless you throw all your pieces perfectly centered. My tall forms
> always have a different center on the top than on the bottom. Karen
> Gringhuis brought this up. Since so many of you wrote praising the
> G.Grip, how do you deal with this??
---------------------->
Jean Lehman, in Lancaster, PA
j_lehman@acad.FandM.EDU (that's an _underscore_ not a hyphen)
http://www.art-craftpa.com/lehman.html
Check out the 1997 Strictly Functional Pottery National at:
http://www.art-craftpa.com/art-craftpa.html
The Shelfords on sun 17 aug 97
Re: > My tall forms
> always have a different center on the top than on the bottom.
Since so many of you wrote praising the
> G.Grip, how do you deal with this??
Apart from the flex sliders, which handle the problem in one way, the
Giffen has tall grip arms, which hold the piece up at the end you are
trimming, so it will be held at center, no matter what the rest of the
piece is doing. Of course, it depends how tall your forms are. I don't
know how much of a height range GG offers, but it might be worth
investigating.
- Veronica
Unruly JuliE on mon 18 aug 97
I believe the Giffin Grip's tallest arms are 6". If needed, you could
probably get something very similar that is longer.
I do wish they would make a larger in diameter base though. I have had
some tough times with some large low bowl / plates.
ASHPOTS@AOL.COM on fri 19 oct 01
Hi , do your self a favor and learn to tap into center. Once you learn you
will save gobs of time and money. I have grip and use it only for one piece i
make , a Ikabana container. I actully have 2 grips and i barely use one,i
just couldnt pass them up when they were offered.
Really learn to tap . be a real potter. You will be surprised how easy it is
once you spend the time to learn. Pottery is all about spending time. If you
are in a rush find another craft.
Mark Lookout Mountain Pottery Rising Fawn Ga
pammyam on fri 19 oct 01
Bev, I was given a Giffen as a gift. I took it out of the
box and looked at the instructions, put it back in the box
and sold it within the past year to someone who loves it. I
had learned to tap to center and the Grip was too
complicated and cumbersome for me.
Pam
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bev Lev"
To:
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2001 6:19 PM
Subject: giffen grips
: Hi all !
: Could I get some thoughts on Giffen Grips and/or other
easy centering
: devices.
: I am a relatively new thrower and find the time I spend
re-centering or
: mucking about with chucks and fussing to avoid the wobbles
a royal pain, so I
: am beginning to think about a quick fix.
: If anyone has a grip kicking around that they arent using
and might want to
: sell, please email me
: thanks
: bev
:
:
____________________________________________________________
__________________
: Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
:
: You may look at the archives for the list or change your
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: settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
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at melpots@pclink.com.
Paul Bailey / Janet Moe on fri 19 oct 01
Okay, I'll bite. What is your slick method of trimming, Bryan?
> Janet, on that little island beside that Island in the Pacific
>
> Bryan has the slickest method of trimming you ever saw.
>
> Les Crimp on that Island in the Pacific.
> lcrimp@shaw.ca
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Cindy Strnad on fri 19 oct 01
Dear Bev,
Unless you are a very accurate thrower, I think
you may be disappointed with the Giffin Grip. I'm
not precise enough for it much of the time, and I
wouldn't want to try to trim foot rings on it. Few
of my pieces require foot rings, but when they do,
I use freshly thrown chucks. I do use the grip
regularly, but that is for trimming and smoothing
bottoms and such which require a bit of touching
up--not an actual foot ring. Mostly, because the
pots aren't usually perfectly round, the grip
doesn't center them all that well. Chucks always
seem to work just fine, though they're a bit more
work to set up.
Best wishes,
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
cindy@earthen-vessels-pottery.com
http://www.earthen-vessels-pottery.com
Bev Lev on fri 19 oct 01
Hi all !
Could I get some thoughts on Giffen Grips and/or other easy centering
devices.
I am a relatively new thrower and find the time I spend re-centering or
mucking about with chucks and fussing to avoid the wobbles a royal pain, so I
am beginning to think about a quick fix.
If anyone has a grip kicking around that they arent using and might want to
sell, please email me
thanks
bev
Les Crimp on fri 19 oct 01
Bev -
Contact Bryan Hannis at potter@valemount.com
Bryan has the slickest method of trimming you ever saw.
Les Crimp on that Island in the Pacific.
lcrimp@shaw.ca
Karen and Cliff Sandlin on fri 19 oct 01
Bev:
I bought a Giffen grip at the same time I bought my wheel. Potter
friends said I was taking an easy way out but I love it. I spend a lot
of time trimming as it is because I like to be creative with foots. It
is wonderful not to have to worry about centering.
I also do a lot of long necked small vases and can trim them without a
chuck, using the Giffen grip. It is well worth the expenditure. I
think Bennett Pottery Supply in Ocoee, Florida has the best price on the
grip.
Karen Sandlin
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On
Behalf Of Bev Lev
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2001 6:20 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: giffen grips
Hi all !
Could I get some thoughts on Giffen Grips and/or other easy centering
devices.
I am a relatively new thrower and find the time I spend re-centering or
mucking about with chucks and fussing to avoid the wobbles a royal pain,
so I
am beginning to think about a quick fix.
If anyone has a grip kicking around that they arent using and might want
to
sell, please email me
thanks
bev
________________________________________________________________________
______
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
iandol on sat 20 oct 01
Dear Bev Lev,
If you can afford one, why not! If not, learn to tap centre. Simple as =
1-2, 1-2, 1-2, as a uniform rhythm. No polka or waltz, just the old two =
step.
Get a tin of tuna or beans. Plonk it somewhere near the centre of the =
wheel head. Start your wheel spinning. Sense the off centredness with =
your left hand forefinger on the count of one and tap on two. When you =
match the speed of rotation to your count of "one-two" on a one to one =
basis you will hit the tin in the right place at the right time and that =
can will jump into place.
Seth Cardew will teach you if you can get to his summer school.
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis.
Martin Howard on sat 20 oct 01
Bev, the "Jaws" Universal Turning Chuck from Potters'Mate
www.potteryeqpt.co.uk is a development of the Giffen Grip.
Turn the top plate clockwise and three padded holding pieces move towards
the centre along curved tracks and stay hard up against the ware while you
turn. A twist of the equipment anticlockwise releases.
You can just have the chuck held in this position and then tap centre your
ware, knowing that it is all in the centre. This is sometimes an advantage
over sticking chucks on the wheelhead, because the pressure of turning can
move the chuck a little and make the whole off-centre.
Very delicate ware is not suited to Jaws, because the pressure on the rims
is too great. In that case use the Jaws (or I expect also the Griffen) with
a chuck so that the rims are safe.
There are holding pieces which slot in so that Jaws holds the ware higher up
than the base (rim) of the pot.
Of course, pots thrown with off-centred rims do not work with this kind of
system. Then use the dabs of clay on wheel-head method and centre the foot
or belly rather than the rim, or foam rubber chucks cut for the piece, or
just foam rubber relying on the weight of the ware to hold it in place, plus
some slip on the base.
Hope that is helpful.
Martin Howard
Webbs Cottage Pottery
Woolpits Road, Great Saling
BRAINTREE, Essex CM7 5DZ
01371 850 423
martin@webbscottage.co.uk
http://www.webbscottage.co.uk
This web-site is being updated NOW!
Nikki Simmons on sat 20 oct 01
Hi Bev,
A Giffen Grip is a tool that only YOU can decide if you need.
If you aren't sure you want to buy one, borrow one and see if it suits you.
I like mine and use it when I need it. :-)
Sincerely,
Nikki Simmons
nsimmons@mid-mo.net
potterybydai on sat 20 oct 01
snip > Really learn to tap . be a real potter. >
Hi, Mark - I really don't think a "real potter" is defined by what method
he/she uses to trim a pot. If so, I was a "real potter" for 19 years, but
now I'm not, because I bought and use a Giffin Grip? Give me a break!
Dai Scott in Kelowna, BC
"There is no right way to do the wrong thing."
potterybydai@home.com
Jennifer F Boyer on sun 21 oct 01
I agree Dai,
I can tap on center, and used the wet wheel head method for
years, but after about 10 years of full time production I got a
Grip and love it. I've used it for over 15 years: wore it out,
and got very good service from the makers to get replacement
parts. I throw simple "centered" pots, so the Grip works well
for me. Also I found that my rims don't suffer as much stress as
when I was using the wet wheelhead technique. And the Grip
allows me to trim when the pots are a bit too wet OR too dry. It
holds pots in place gently but firmly.
BUT!
The truth is that you still have to know how to center even if
you buy a Grip! It sort of centers for you, but there are
plenty of times I use the tapping-on-enter technique WITH my
Grip: Say you're centering a tall form with a small neck. You
slide the Grip tight onto it but it doesn't seem centered when
you start the wheel spinning. Give the pot a few taps(with wheel
moving) to center it, and tighten the Grip again. Any pot that
needs the long rods might need this technique. Plate forms are
easier.
Your eye and hand are the masters: not the Grip....it's JUST a tool.
Jennifer, who deems the above as MY HUMBLE OPINION!
potterybydai wrote:
>
> snip > Really learn to tap . be a real potter. >
> Hi, Mark - I really don't think a "real potter" is defined by what method
> he/she uses to trim a pot. If so, I was a "real potter" for 19 years, but
> now I'm not, because I bought and use a Giffin Grip? Give me a break!
> Dai Scott in Kelowna, BC
> "There is no right way to do the wrong thing."
> potterybydai@home.com
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
--
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jennifer Boyer mailto:jboyer@adelphia.net
Thistle Hill Pottery
95 Powder Horn Glen Rd
Montpelier, VT 05602 USA
802-223-8926
http://www.thistlehillpottery.com/
Never pass on an email warning without checking out this site
for web hoaxes and junk:
http://urbanlegends.about.com/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Susan Otter on sun 21 oct 01
In a message dated 10/21/01 7:43:58 AM, iandol@TELL.NET.AU writes:
<< Dear Bev Lev,
If you can afford one, why not! If not, learn to tap centre. Simple as 1-2,
1-2, 1-2, as a uniform rhythm. No polka or waltz, just the old two step. >>
A giffin grip does a lot more than automatically cener. When you use one, you
absolutely know your piece is secure, even when the piece is tall and narrow.
It's faster. But just the freedom from chucks is worth the price.
John Baymore on sun 21 oct 01
Could I get some thoughts on Giffen Grips and/or other easy centering
devices.
I am a relatively new thrower and find the time I spend re-centering or
mucking about with chucks and fussing to avoid the wobbles a royal pain, =
so
I
am beginning to think about a quick fix.
bev,
Hi.
OH BOY!!!!! You may not know it....... but you just brought up a topic
that has the potential to REALLY take on a life of it's own here once aga=
in
. The last time this came up on CLAYART it probably generated enough
heat to fire a number of kiln loads of pots . =
If you check the archives (also search it on "griffin" and "griffen"
grips...... common mis-spellings) my bet is you'll find LOTS of
stuff....more than you want to hear . WAY more.
One thought...... =
Advice I often give to my students..... focus on skills development and
learning process.... not on end product. The product comes as a result o=
f
acquiring many diverse skills. Focus on learning.
Best,
..............................john
John Baymore
River Bend Pottery
22 Riverbend Way
Wilton, NH 03086 USA
603-654-2752 (s)
800-900-1110 (s)
JohnBaymore.com
JBaymore@compuserve.com
John.Baymore@GSD-CO.com
"Earth, Water, and Fire Noborigama Woodfiring Workshop 2002 Dates TBA"
Susan Otter on sun 21 oct 01
In a message dated 10/21/01 2:08:04 PM, JBaymore@COMPUSERVE.COM writes:
<< One thought......
Advice I often give to my students..... focus on skills development and
learning process.... not on end product. The product comes as a result of
acquiring many diverse skills. Focus on learning. >>
I agree that a student should be able to re-center for trimming without a
tool. But speaking as an intermediate student...
The Giffin Grip (correct spelling I believe) has been invaluable for me for
the reason given earlier. I can take the pot off and tap it repeatedly. It
has refined my trimming, and because I could focus on the quality of the pot
annd not the constant re-centering, I learned some things about my throwing
in a very concrete way. When you can focus on the trimming and not the
constant recentering, you can learn to listen to your 'thickness taps'
better. You start to notice that you have to trim more heavily in the same
area repeatedly.
Anything that teaches is a good thing, and that can include Giffin Grips.
Anyone who thinks they are only a crutch or a way to speed something up
probably came to its use at a later point than I did.
BTW I have no use for snobbery. A kick wheel isn't superior to an electric
one; it's just DIFFERENT than an electric one. I have no problem with people
having preferences until they believe that their preference, which is all it
is, makes them superior to others in some way.
Gail Dapogny on sun 21 oct 01
Susan said: >The Giffin Grip has been invaluable for me for the reason
given earlier. I can take the pot off and tap it repeatedly. It has refined
my trimming, and because I could focus on the quality of the pot and not
the constant re-centering, I learned some things about my throwing in a
very concrete way. When you can focus on the trimming and not the constant
recentering, you can learn to listen to your 'thickness taps' better. You
start to notice that you have to trim more heavily in the same area
repeatedly.
I think Susan really hits the nail on the head. The Grip has made me into
a more careful cratsman for exactly the reasons that she mentions. It's
also great for trimming some vulnerable shape (such as a bottle with a tiny
opening) that shouldn't touch the wheel. The arms hold it firmly above
the wheel. Also if you need to use a bisqued chuck, you can center the
chuck on the grip.I know people who, at times, even throw on it (however I
can't remember why...).Anyway. it's a great tool and timesaver.
---Gail
Gail Dapogny
1154 Olden Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48103-3005
(734) 665-9816
gdapogny@umich.edu
Jean Cochran on thu 25 oct 01
Hi Fellow Clay Arters,
I've used a Giffen Grip for years and love it. It is not complicated at
all. I, also, use the Grabber Pad for flat stuff and just wish the
Grabber Pad was made in a larger size. Also, I still wad some things.
Regards,
Jean Wadsworth Cochran
Fox Hollow Pottery
(going through 780 - now - e mails, that'll teach me to not look at the
computer for a few days)
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