Judy Smith on thu 18 mar 10
I am making large platters out of cone 6 B-mix. I find that the best time
to trim the foot ring is when they are leather hard, but they sometimes sag
down in the middle while I am trimming them. I have tried making platters
without foot rings, but I don't like the look. I have tried letting the
clay harden more, but the clay gets rubbery and it chatters when I trim. I
have tried throwing a clay support to put under the inverted platter, but
this makes it hard to center the inverted platter. I have tried making
thicker platters, but I get S cracks because I like thin rims. How do you
support your platter centers when you trim? Is there some neat trick that =
I
don't know? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Judy Smith
Nashville, TN
William & Susan Schran User on thu 18 mar 10
On 3/18/10 2:53 PM, "Judy Smith" wrote:
> I am making large platters out of cone 6 B-mix. I find that the best tim=
e
> to trim the foot ring is when they are leather hard, but they sometimes s=
ag
> down in the middle while I am trimming them. I have tried making platter=
s
> without foot rings, but I don't like the look. I have tried letting the
> clay harden more, but the clay gets rubbery and it chatters when I trim. =
I
> have tried throwing a clay support to put under the inverted platter, but
> this makes it hard to center the inverted platter. I have tried making
> thicker platters, but I get S cracks because I like thin rims. How do yo=
u
> support your platter centers when you trim? Is there some neat trick tha=
t I
> don't know? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Get and cut some foam into circles the diameter of the interior of your
platter form. Use foam like is used in furniture. You want the thickness to
be a bit more that the height of the platter rim so the edge of the rim doe=
s
not rest on a surface when inverted.
You could also cut a circle of foam larger than your platters, mount to a
bat, draw concentric rings with permanent marker and rest the rim of the
platter on that.
The first method, also mounted on bat, will better support the interior
where you are trimming.
Bill
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
Marcia Selsor on thu 18 mar 10
Use a damp sponge under the center.
The plate will weigh the sponge down only so far.
Marcia Selsor
On Mar 18, 2010, at 1:53 PM, Judy Smith wrote:
> I am making large platters out of cone 6 B-mix. I find that the best =3D
time
> to trim the foot ring is when they are leather hard, but they =3D
sometimes sag
> down in the middle while I am trimming them. I have tried making =3D
platters
> without foot rings, but I don't like the look. I have tried letting =3D
the
> clay harden more, but the clay gets rubbery and it chatters when I =3D
trim. I
> have tried throwing a clay support to put under the inverted platter, =3D
but
> this makes it hard to center the inverted platter. I have tried =3D
making
> thicker platters, but I get S cracks because I like thin rims. How do =
=3D
you
> support your platter centers when you trim? Is there some neat trick =3D
that I
> don't know? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
>=3D20
> Thanks,
> Judy Smith
> Nashville, TN
>=3D20
Marcia Selsor
http://www.marciaselsor.com
gsomdahl on thu 18 mar 10
On the wheel head, center a round pad of clay about the width of your
foot ring and as high as your platter is deep. Cover it with thin
plastic. This will support the center of your platter as you trim and
will let the platter move easily as you center it.
Judy Smith wrote:
> I am making large platters out of cone 6 B-mix.
...
> I
> have tried throwing a clay support to put under the inverted platter, but
> this makes it hard to center the inverted platter.
>
>
--
This is a post only account. Send replies to "gene" at my ".com" domain nam=
ed "somdahl".
James Freeman on thu 18 mar 10
Judy...
When I used to make my large platters, I typically used one of four methods=
=3D
:
1) Place a lump of clay with a height about equal to the depth of
your platter on your batt, and cover this with a scrap of newspaper.
Place the inverted platter over this paper-covered lump. The paper
prevents the lump from grabbing the platter, thus preventing it from
interfering with centering.
2) Place a disc of high density foam (the green stuff from the fabric
store), with a thickness approximating the depth of your platter, on
your batt, then place your inverted platter over the foam.
3) Take light cuts with a smaller trim tool so as not to push in the botto=
=3D
m.
4) Just let it slump as you trim, then turn your trimmed platter back
upright and simply push the bottom back in place against your ware
board.
Now, as I only make small platters, I use option 3. The smaller tools
will probably also allow you to trim much firmer clay without
chattering. Others will probably have much better ideas.
Good luck.
...James
James Freeman
"All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I
should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed."
-Michel de Montaigne
http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesfreemanstudio/
http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com/resources
On Thu, Mar 18, 2010 at 1:53 PM, Judy Smith wrote:
> I am making large platters out of cone 6 B-mix. =3DA0I find that the best=
t=3D
ime
> to trim the foot ring is when they are leather hard, but they sometimes s=
=3D
ag
> down in the middle while I am trimming them. =3DA0I have tried making pla=
tt=3D
ers
> without foot rings, but I don't like the look. =3DA0I have tried letting =
th=3D
e
> clay harden more, but the clay gets rubbery and it chatters when I trim. =
=3D
=3DA0I
> have tried throwing a clay support to put under the inverted platter, but
> this makes it hard to center the inverted platter. =3DA0I have tried maki=
ng
> thicker platters, but I get S cracks because I like thin rims. =3DA0How d=
o =3D
you
> support your platter centers when you trim? =3DA0Is there some neat trick=
t=3D
hat I
> don't know? =3DA0Any suggestions would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Judy Smith
> Nashville, TN
>
Lis Allison on thu 18 mar 10
On Thursday 18 March 2010, you wrote:
. How do you support your platter
> centers when you trim? Is there some neat trick that I don't know?
Not much of a trick, but for smaller platters I put a chunk of foam rubber
underneath. It compresses but still supports. For larger ones, I throw a
chuck and put a piece of paper towel on it before putting the platter on
it. Only takes a minute and you can make it to fit any platter. If the rim
is very fragile, you can even make your chuck tall enough so the rim
doesn't contact the wheel head/batt.
Lis
--
Elisabeth Allison
Pine Ridge Studio
www.Pine-Ridge-Studio.blogspot.com
Mary Starosta on thu 18 mar 10
Hi Judy,
I use FOAM in the middle of the platter. You can get thick or thin foam an=
d
cut it out to fit the platter. Doesn't affect centering IMO and gives the
middle a bit more support. Works well for me GOOD LUCK!
Mary Starosta
Colorado Potter
http://marystarosta.wordpress.com/
On Thu, Mar 18, 2010 at 12:53 PM, Judy Smith wrote:
> I am making large platters out of cone 6 B-mix. I find that the best tim=
e
> to trim the foot ring is when they are leather hard, but they sometimes s=
ag
> down in the middle while I am trimming them. I have tried making platter=
s
> without foot rings, but I don't like the look. I have tried letting the
> clay harden more, but the clay gets rubbery and it chatters when I trim. =
I
> have tried throwing a clay support to put under the inverted platter, but
> this makes it hard to center the inverted platter. I have tried making
> thicker platters, but I get S cracks because I like thin rims. How do yo=
u
> support your platter centers when you trim? Is there some neat trick tha=
t
> I
> don't know? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Judy Smith
> Nashville, TN
>
Lee Love on thu 18 mar 10
Make sure the clay inside the foot is thick enough. Sometimes we
trim them thinner than the walls, and they sag.
Because some plates I worked on during my apprenticeship
were slipped inside, the bottom inside the ring would deform with
gravity. We would pick them up and carefully tap the bottom after
trimming or after they dried enough to handle. You can move the
botttom back into proper shape.
--
Lee, a Mashiko potter in Minneapolis
http://mashikopots.blogspot.com/
=3D93Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel
the artistry moving through and be silent.=3D94 --Rumi
penni stoddart on thu 18 mar 10
I use my kids' old baby receiving blankets in my studio so when I make larg=
e
platters I fold one up and place it in the centre of my bat, centre the
platter, anchor it with lugs and then trim. It gives it enough support in
the middle that the centre doesn't sag. I have also used a foam disc (but
lost it at some point - my studio is in our garage and shares space with
hubby's work bench so who knows?). A thick foam disc would do the same as
the towel/receiving blanket.
=3Do) =3Do) =3Do) =3Do) =3Do)
Penni Stoddart
London, Ontario
http://penelopepots.bravehost.com/
Forgive your enemies. It messes with their heads.
No well behaved woman ever made history!
-----Original Message-----
Subject: My platters sag when I trim the foot ring
How do you
support your platter centers when you trim? Is there some neat trick that =
I
don't know? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Linda White on thu 18 mar 10
I use circles cut out of corrugated cardboard and stack them the
right height for supporting the plate. I have several sizes so I can
use them for all the sizes of plates I have. I've never had any
problem centering the plate with the cardboard inside.
Linda White
LickHaven Pottery
Dushore PA
On Mar 18, 2010, at 2:53 PM, Judy Smith wrote:
> How do you
> support your platter centers when you trim? Is there some neat
> trick that I
> don't know? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
gayle bair on thu 18 mar 10
Hi Judy,
What works best for me is supporting the center of the platter with =3D
dense foam cut to fit the shape.=3D20
Also let it get a firm leather hard before trimming. On your bigger =3D
platters be sure to leave a support=3D20
a nickel or quarter sized spot in the middle of the platter. That gives =3D
B-Mix's oft-tendency toward slumping the support it needs.
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island WA
Tucson AZ
gayle@claybair.com
www.claybair.com
On Mar 18, 2010, at 11:53 AM, Judy Smith wrote:
> I am making large platters out of cone 6 B-mix. I find that the best =3D
time
> to trim the foot ring is when they are leather hard, but they =3D
sometimes sag
> down in the middle while I am trimming them. I have tried making =3D
platters
> without foot rings, but I don't like the look. I have tried letting =3D
the
> clay harden more, but the clay gets rubbery and it chatters when I =3D
trim. I
> have tried throwing a clay support to put under the inverted platter, =3D
but
> this makes it hard to center the inverted platter. I have tried =3D
making
> thicker platters, but I get S cracks because I like thin rims. How do =
=3D
you
> support your platter centers when you trim? Is there some neat trick =3D
that I
> don't know? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
>=3D20
> Thanks,
> Judy Smith
> Nashville, TN
Vince Pitelka on thu 18 mar 10
I trim all my plates and platters on a damp clay chuck that is just a thick
donut-like cylinder of clay. I never ever rest the rim right on the
wheelhead or a bat. You can either wrap a donut-like chuck from a thick
coil of clay, and then trim the contact surfaces with a trimming tool (you
can do that right away with fresh clay as long as you have not added any
water to the surface), or else you can throw the chuck and scrape all slurr=
y
and moisture from the surface with a metal rib. In either case, such a
chuck holds the plate or platter firmly in place while you are trimming, an=
d
it places no strain upon the rim.
The chuck must be hollow in the center so that it seats against the plate o=
r
platter better, and so that you can still thump in the center of the bottom
to check the thickness. I use a chuck that is slightly smaller in diameter
than the well of the plate or platter. The chuck should be tall enough so
that you can grasp the plate or platter with your fingers well inside the
rim, flip it over, and place it on the chuck. Then you really never do put
any strain on the rim.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Tech University
vpitelka@dtccom.net; wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka
Elizabeth Priddy on thu 18 mar 10
sponges, or a large piece of fairly stiff sponge just the size of the insid=
=3D
e of the platter.=3D0A=3D0A- ePriddy=3D0A=3D0AElizabeth Priddy=3D0ABeaufort=
, NC - USA=3D
=3D0A=3D0Ahttp://www.elizabethpriddy.com=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A--- On Thu, 3/18/10,=
Judy Smit=3D
h wrote:=3D0A=3D0A> From: Judy Smith MAIL=3D
.COM>=3D0A> Subject: My platters sag when I trim the foot ring=3D0A> To: Cl=
ayar=3D
t@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=3D0A> Date: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 2:53 PM=3D0A> I am=
mak=3D
ing large platters out of=3D0A> cone 6 B-mix.=3DA0 I find that the best tim=
e=3D0A=3D
> to trim the foot ring is when they are leather hard, but=3D0A> they somet=
im=3D
es sag=3D0A> down in the middle while I am trimming them.=3DA0 =3D0A=3D0A=
=3D0A
phil on thu 18 mar 10
Hi Judy ,
Unless you are Trimming far to much away, making the Platter too thin in th=
e
mid area...are you pushing it 'down' because the Tools you are using are
dull?
If you have sharp Tools, and a far Leather Hard Platter, ( and, are not
over-trimming it to be too thin and hence weak...) there should be no issue
of it sagging while Trimming.
What kind of Tools are you using for Trimming?
And, are they 'sharp'?
Phil
Lv
----- Original Message -----
From: "Judy Smith"
>I am making large platters out of cone 6 B-mix. I find that the best time
> to trim the foot ring is when they are leather hard, but they sometimes
> sag
> down in the middle while I am trimming them. I have tried making platter=
s
> without foot rings, but I don't like the look. I have tried letting the
> clay harden more, but the clay gets rubbery and it chatters when I trim.
> I
> have tried throwing a clay support to put under the inverted platter, but
> this makes it hard to center the inverted platter. I have tried making
> thicker platters, but I get S cracks because I like thin rims. How do yo=
u
> support your platter centers when you trim? Is there some neat trick tha=
t
> I
> don't know? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Judy Smith
> Nashville, TN
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Carole Fox on fri 19 mar 10
I save those pieces of foam you get in boxes of large shelf cones, cut =3D
them in half and stack them to the height needed to support the plate.
Carole Fox
Silver Fox Pottery
Elkton, MD
silverfoxpottery@comcast.net
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