Lili Krakowski on tue 29 jun 10
I cannot speak for Vince...but as far as I can tell his method of using =3D
foam for trimming goes exactly like turning a delicate cake out of its =3D
pan!
The cake is IN the pan...You COVER the pan (cake inside) with a plate or =
=3D
platter, then flip the whole assembly over. At no point is your cake =3D
in freefall--it constantly is supported--and you do not need to balance =3D
a delicate sponge cake between your palms as you invert it.I have used =3D
this method many many times for bowls--but can't anymore because of =3D
inability to do the flipping....
As to cracked rims....Facts: The little bowls don't crack. The great =3D
big bowls don't crack. The medium ones do. Why?
A heavy hand cracketh many bowls. My theory: On the little bowls a =3D
light trimming tool and hand are used. The great big bowls are thick =3D
and heavy enough so that a heavy trimming tool and hand don't matter. =3D
The mid sized bowls cannot withstand the pressure of tool and hand as =3D
applied. I have two suggestions. Watch your trimming force. If =3D
necessary, support your forearm as you trim so as not to apply pressure =
=3D
on the pot. Trimming should pot NO pressure on the pot. If the clay is =
=3D
hardish or something, start with a needle tool, or a bamboo skewer, or a =
=3D
number two knitting needle. Use the point to cut close together =3D
grooves--such as found on old phonograph records. THEN trim the grooves =
=3D
away with a sharp loop tool. Repeat.=3D20
Second suggestion: make a chuck to hold up the inside. Some British =3D
potter suggests that in his book... (no author, not title, so no ISBN). =
=3D
Throw a large hump the shape of the inside of your largest bowls. Cover =
=3D
with plastic of similar and invert your pots on there...Not only will =3D
that center the pot for you, but offer resistance when you bear down in =3D
trimming. Start with your
biggest pots...trim your chuck down to fit smaller...
From what I have seen the tendency is to trim too vigorously. You are =3D
not trimming an elephant's toenails, but an infant's ones. You are not =3D
peeling a rutabaga but a peach... If the wetness of the pot is correct a =
=3D
light loop type tool and a light hand=3D20
will do the job.
Lili Krakowski
Be of good courage
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