grahamvincent on tue 11 apr 00
Hi, a question from an amateur and a clayart lurker who is moving from coil
pots to throwing;
Which way does a potter's wheel turn?
Clockwise or anti-clockwise?
Do people turn wheels in different directions at different stages during
throwing?
Do left handed and right handed potters throw with wheels rotating in the
same direction?
I have been given a 3 phase wheel which gives me no clue concerning rotation
direction.
Graham
(expecting a certain amount of ridicule at this point! - but thanks for your
help)
Dave Finkelnburg on tue 11 apr 00
Graham,
Koreans, Japanese commonly run the wheel clockwise, us Westerners
usually do it counterclockwise. Judging from their pottery, I can't really
say they do it wrong! :-) I'd say it makes no difference, whichever way
works for you is the right way. Take your pick!
At times I run my wheel in reverse to do something particular with a
piece. Reversing switch is kind of nice on my 110 wheel. For 3P it's
tougher.
Good potting!
Dave Finkelnburg
Idaho Fire Pottery
-----Original Message-----
From: grahamvincent
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Tuesday, April 11, 2000 1:18 PM
Subject: Possibly the most stupid question yet
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Hi, a question from an amateur and a clayart lurker who is moving from coil
>pots to throwing;
>
>Which way does a potter's wheel turn?
>
>Clockwise or anti-clockwise?
>Do people turn wheels in different directions at different stages during
>throwing?
>Do left handed and right handed potters throw with wheels rotating in the
>same direction?
>
>I have been given a 3 phase wheel which gives me no clue concerning
rotation
>direction.
>
>Graham
>(expecting a certain amount of ridicule at this point! - but thanks for
your
>help)
>
Dannon Rhudy on wed 12 apr 00
At 03:17 PM 4/11/00 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Hi, a question from an amateur and a clayart lurker who is moving from coil
>pots to throwing;
---------------------------------------
No, why should you be ridiculed for not knowing something?
In general, wheels rotate COUNTER-clockwise in the U.S.
In Japan, the opposite. Again in general, it matters not
if one is left-handed or not, wheels are still rotating
counter clockwise. You hold your hands at approximately
three o'clock to do most wheel work. Get a video and/or a
good text book and/or a teacher and have at it. It's fun,
among other things.
regards,
Dannon Rhudy
potter@koyote.com
>
>Which way does a potter's wheel turn?
>
>Clockwise or anti-clockwise?
>Do people turn wheels in different directions at different stages during
>throwing?
>Do left handed and right handed potters throw with wheels rotating in the
>same direction?
>
>I have been given a 3 phase wheel which gives me no clue concerning rotation
>direction.
>
>Graham
>(expecting a certain amount of ridicule at this point! - but thanks for your
>help)
>
Penny Hosler on wed 12 apr 00
Graham,
Only the most stupid question if you don't ask it. Been there done
that. I was teaching myself throwing with the aid of a Robin Hopper
video. (I'm right-handed) He was shown pulling up a form on the
right hand side of the wheel, so that's what I was trying to do.
Talk about a flat learning curve. Felt unbelievably stoopid. Finally
gave up and took a throwing class. First thing I noticed was that
the wheel was turning counter-clockwise. After some "who's-on-1st?"
discussion with the teacher, I went home, took the wheel apart, and
rewired it to spin counter-clockwise. That particular bit of
information cost me $75. I wish I'd just asked ClayArt. (ps: I can
throw on a clockwise wheel if I pull up and work on the left side)
Penny in WA
-----Original Message-----
From: grahamvincent
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Tuesday, April 11, 2000 12:18 PM
Subject: Possibly the most stupid question yet
>----------------------------Original
message----------------------------
>Hi, a question from an amateur and a clayart lurker who is moving
from coil
>pots to throwing;
>
>Which way does a potter's wheel turn?
>
>Clockwise or anti-clockwise?
>Do people turn wheels in different directions at different stages
during
>throwing?
>Do left handed and right handed potters throw with wheels rotating in
the
>same direction?
>
>I have been given a 3 phase wheel which gives me no clue concerning
rotation
>direction.
>
>Graham
>(expecting a certain amount of ridicule at this point! - but thanks
for your
>help)
>
Louis H.. Katz on wed 12 apr 00
To reverse a three phase motor switch any two of the three hot legs.
Louis
Dave Finkelnburg wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Graham,
> Koreans, Japanese commonly run the wheel clockwise, us Westerners
> usually do it counterclockwise. Judging from their pottery, I can't really
> say they do it wrong! :-) I'd say it makes no difference, whichever way
> works for you is the right way. Take your pick!
> At times I run my wheel in reverse to do something particular with a
> piece. Reversing switch is kind of nice on my 110 wheel. For 3P it's
> tougher.
> Good potting!
> Dave Finkelnburg
> Idaho Fire Pottery
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: grahamvincent
> To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
> Date: Tuesday, April 11, 2000 1:18 PM
> Subject: Possibly the most stupid question yet
>
> >----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> >Hi, a question from an amateur and a clayart lurker who is moving from coil
> >pots to throwing;
> >
> >Which way does a potter's wheel turn?
> >
> >Clockwise or anti-clockwise?
> >Do people turn wheels in different directions at different stages during
> >throwing?
> >Do left handed and right handed potters throw with wheels rotating in the
> >same direction?
> >
> >I have been given a 3 phase wheel which gives me no clue concerning
> rotation
> >direction.
> >
> >Graham
> >(expecting a certain amount of ridicule at this point! - but thanks for
> your
> >help)
> >
--
Louis Katz
NEW EMAIL ADDRESS Louis.Katz@mail.tamucc.edu
NCECA Director of Electronic Communication and Webmaster(Ad-Hoc)
Texas A&M-CC Division of Visual and Performing Arts
Visit the NCECA World Ceramics Image Database Online
Looking for a school or a class? Visit NCECA Ceramics Educational Programs
Database Online
Cindy Strnad on wed 12 apr 00
Graham,
If you want to throw right-handed, have the wheel turning in a
counter-clockwise direction. If you're left-handed, do the opposite.
Cindy Strnad
earthenv@gwtc.net
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
Marc on wed 12 apr 00
Hi there,
I'm new to throwing too ( started throwing about 4 months ago). At first I
did it the Japanese way and everybody was surprised I turned the wheel that
way. Since a month or so I started to do it the so called normaal way. (I'm
right handed)
I started to do so because I'm helping out at a store in Ingke (town of
pottery in Taiwan) where they have like 25 wheels to be used by accidental
visitors to try out clay throwing. (BTW this was the best way to learn
throwing)
My opinion is that one should throw the way one feels best.
The natural flow, I think it gives the best results.
I can throw both ways now. I also discovered that centering an handpositions
during throwing is something personal. Just do it the way you feel
comfortable.
Bye, Marc (Taiwan)
> >----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> >Hi, a question from an amateur and a clayart lurker who is moving from
coil
> >pots to throwing;
> >
> >Which way does a potter's wheel turn?
> >
> >Clockwise or anti-clockwise?
> >Do people turn wheels in different directions at different stages during
> >throwing?
> >Do left handed and right handed potters throw with wheels rotating in the
> >same direction?
> >
> >I have been given a 3 phase wheel which gives me no clue concerning
> rotation
> >direction.
> >
> >Graham
> >(expecting a certain amount of ridicule at this point! - but thanks for
> your
> >help)
> >
WHew536674@cs.com on wed 12 apr 00
Graham,
No question is a stupid question. Not asking a question is stupid. Anyway,
it's a right handed world according to most manufactures. The wheel turns
counter-clock wise in most cases. Right handed people throw with the right
hand on the outside and left hand on the inside and the clay spins nicely
through their hands. Left handed people can buy some wheels (Shrimpo, I
think) that can be operated in either direction. In which case the left
handed person would throw on the left side of the pot, with their left hand
on the outside, and the clay would spin away from them.
Joyce A.
patrick conrey on thu 13 apr 00
As a left handed potter who uses the wheel going in the correct direction
(clock wise), I can only say that the way the clock goes is by farTHE
creative direction - everything else is either just standing still or
regressing!
Jim Cullen on thu 13 apr 00
Graham,
I am left-handed. I throw counterclockwise (because that's the way I learned
and it works for me) and I trim clockwise (I do this because I find the hand
eye coordination and holding the trim tool in my dominate hand a better
working relationship).
A BIG part of learning to pot is learning what works for you personally. TO
do this one must try other procedures and be open to new methods.
Good luck in your search.
KEEP CENTERED
Cullen
Naperville, Illinois
Paul Taylor on thu 13 apr 00
Dear Graham
Not a stupid Question
Send the Wheel anti clockwise because many of the electric wheels you
will come across in this part of the west will only give you this choice
your left hand will be in the inside of the pot going up.
Also if you need help the chances are that your teacher will be throwing
with the wheel going that way. Mind you -if you decide to go clockwise it
will humble them a bit ,because they too will be starting again.
It is possible for the people at clay art to make a controversy out of
any question - me especially, so you may be better to ignore the rest if
this post.
Here is a thought . If you consider that what you are making. The
most important part of the pot is the space inside that is what the function
demands that is what you are providing, should not the dominant hand be
inside the pot. Have the Japanese got it right and us westerners are
philosophically still dealing with the surface of the matter and not the
true depths.
Graham - Just throwing himself In there- that's my kind of bloke. It
is the only way to become a thrower, and do not mind the controversy it is
just a bit of fun.
Regards Paul T
----------
>From: Dave Finkelnburg
>To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
>Subject: Re: Possibly the most stupid question yet
>Date: Tue, Apr 11, 2000, 8:33 pm
>
> Question----------------------------Original message--------------------------
>Graham,
> Koreans, Japanese commonly run the wheel clockwise, us Westerners
>usually do it counterclockwise. Judging from their pottery, I can't really
>say they do it wrong! :-) I'd say it makes no difference, whichever way
>works for you is the right way. Take your pick!
> At times I run my wheel in reverse to do something particular with a
>piece. Reversing switch is kind of nice on my 110 wheel. For 3P it's
>tougher.
> Good potting!
> Dave Finkelnburg
> Idaho Fire Pottery
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: grahamvincent
>To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
>Date: Tuesday, April 11, 2000 1:18 PM
>Subject: Possibly the most stupid question yet
>
>
>>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>>Hi, a question from an amateur and a clayart lurker who is moving from coil
>>pots to throwing;
>>
>>Which way does a potter's wheel turn?
>>
>>Clockwise or anti-clockwise?
>>Do people turn wheels in different directions at different stages during
>>throwing?
>>Do left handed and right handed potters throw with wheels rotating in the
>>same direction?
>>
>>I have been given a 3 phase wheel which gives me no clue concerning
>rotation
>>direction.
>>
>>Graham
>>(expecting a certain amount of ridicule at this point! - but thanks for
>your
>>help)
>>
vince pitelka on thu 13 apr 00
> If you want to throw right-handed, have the wheel turning in a
> counter-clockwise direction. If you're left-handed, do the opposite.
Cindy -
Equally good advice is: If you want to throw right-handed, have the wheel
turning in a counter-clockwise direction. If you're left-handed, still have
the wheel turning in a counter-clockwise direction, since you are doing
important things with both hands, and who wants to be throwing backwards
from everyone else. Seriously, I do not begrudge anyone who genuinely finds
they can throw better with the wheel turning clockwise, and it certainly
seems to serve the Japanese well, but I have always wondered about this.
Since you are doing important things with both hands, it does not seem to
matter at all which direction the wheel is turning, once you adjust to that
direction and learn to throw that way.
I am left handed, but I play the guitar and throw pots right-handed. When I
learned to throw I tried it left-handed, with the wheel turning clockwise,
but it seemed very awkward, especially with everyone around me throwing in
the opposite direction.
Best wishes -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Home - vpitelka@dekalb.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
Paul Lewing on thu 13 apr 00
> In general, wheels rotate COUNTER-clockwise in the U.S.
> In Japan, the opposite. Again in general, it matters not
> if one is left-handed or not, wheels are still rotating
> counter clockwise. You hold your hands at approximately
> three o'clock to do most wheel work.
Ever wonder WHY Japanese wheels go clockwise and European ones go
counter-clockwise? And Dannon's right- it doesn't matter if you're
right-handed or left-handed, it matters which wheel tradition you
started in.
Both wheel systems started the way they did because most people are
right-handed. It was the design of the original wheels that was
different. Europeans started with a wheel that had a head above a
flywheel that was kicked with one foot, pretty much as we know
kickwheels even now. If you're right-handed, you're also right-footed.
Kick on the right side of the flywheel and the head goes
counter-clockwise.
The Japanese, on the other hand, started with a wheel that had a very
heavy head, and was set almost at ground level. The head was
essentially also the flywheel. You sit crosslegged next to the wheel,
and power it by inserting a stick into one of several holes in the wheel
head surface. You get more power more easily by pulling the stick
toward yourself than by pushing it away, and if you're right-handed, you
pull toward yourself on the right side of the wheel. The wheel spins
clockwise. If you ever see any of the old films of Hamada throwing,
this was the type of wheel he used.
Paul Lewing, Seattle
The only stupid question is an unasked question.
Lee Love on fri 14 apr 00
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Lewing
> Ever wonder WHY Japanese wheels go clockwise and European ones go
> counter-clockwise?
Paul, I've thought of two things:
1.) In Japan, China and Korea, the inside of the pot seems to be
emphasized. If this is true, it would make sense to have your dominant
hand on the inside of the work.
2.) These are Buddhist countries. Circling to the right is auspicious.
>kickwheels even now. If you're right-handed, you're also right-footed.
>Kick on the right side of the flywheel and the head goes
>counter-clockwise.
The Korean style kickwheels are usually pulled with the bare right
foot instead of being kicked. Pulling seems to make more sense with a bare
foot. In the workshop where I am studying, I am allowed to throw
counter-clockwise. I usually pull with my left foot (I am left handed)
but I sometimes kick with my right foot too. I'm hoping to buy a Korean
style wheel for my home studio.
--
Lee Love
2858-2-2 , Nanai , Mashiko-machi ,Tochigi-ken 321-4106 JAPAN
Ikiru@kami.com
rickmahaffey on fri 14 apr 00
Paul,
Well, In Karatsu, Arita, and in Otani I saw traditional wheels that were
kick wheels. in Karatsu and Arita on Kyushu the potters descend from
Korean potters. Guess what, they throw clockwise, too. I am not sure
if the Otani potters are of Korean descent, but they throw huge pots on
those kickwheeks. On the order of 600 lbs.. and 300 gallons for use in
the dye industry way back when. By the way the last time I was in
Otani, the potter was over 70 by my estimation and weighed about 120
lbs.. He had fifteen large pots going on Kick wheels. Pretty impressive.
I was told that the interior was the most important surface on a pot.
That is why the Japanese have their right (dominant) hand inside the
pot. Of course, someone else said that your left hand is closer to
your heart that is why it is on the outside.
I figure they do it that way because that is the way they do it.
Rick Mahaffey
Tacoma Community College
Tacoma, Washington, USA
Paul Lewing wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> > In general, wheels rotate COUNTER-clockwise in the U.S.
> > In Japan, the opposite. Again in general, it matters not
> > if one is left-handed or not, wheels are still rotating
> > counter clockwise. You hold your hands at approximately
> > three o'clock to do most wheel work.
>
> Ever wonder WHY Japanese wheels go clockwise and European ones go
> counter-clockwise? And Dannon's right- it doesn't matter if you're
> right-handed or left-handed, it matters which wheel tradition you
> started in.
> Both wheel systems started the way they did because most people are
> right-handed. It was the design of the original wheels that was
> different. Europeans started with a wheel that had a head above a
> flywheel that was kicked with one foot, pretty much as we know
> kickwheels even now. If you're right-handed, you're also right-footed.
> Kick on the right side of the flywheel and the head goes
> counter-clockwise.
> The Japanese, on the other hand, started with a wheel that had a very
> heavy head, and was set almost at ground level. The head was
> essentially also the flywheel. You sit crosslegged next to the wheel,
> and power it by inserting a stick into one of several holes in the wheel
> head surface. You get more power more easily by pulling the stick
> toward yourself than by pushing it away, and if you're right-handed, you
> pull toward yourself on the right side of the wheel. The wheel spins
> clockwise. If you ever see any of the old films of Hamada throwing,
> this was the type of wheel he used.
> Paul Lewing, Seattle
> The only stupid question is an unasked question.
Don & June MacDonald on fri 14 apr 00
Paul: Thank you for clearing this up for me, I had always wondered why
European and Asian wheels went opposite to one another. Now why do some
countries drive on the other side of the road?
June
Paul Lewing wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> > In general, wheels rotate COUNTER-clockwise in the U.S.
> > In Japan, the opposite. Again in general, it matters not
> > if one is left-handed or not, wheels are still rotating
> > counter clockwise. You hold your hands at approximately
> > three o'clock to do most wheel work.
>
> Ever wonder WHY Japanese wheels go clockwise and European ones go
> counter-clockwise? And Dannon's right- it doesn't matter if you're
> right-handed or left-handed, it matters which wheel tradition you
> started in.
> Both wheel systems started the way they did because most people are
> right-handed. It was the design of the original wheels that was
> different. Europeans started with a wheel that had a head above a
> flywheel that was kicked with one foot, pretty much as we know
> kickwheels even now. If you're right-handed, you're also right-footed.
> Kick on the right side of the flywheel and the head goes
> counter-clockwise.
> The Japanese, on the other hand, started with a wheel that had a very
> heavy head, and was set almost at ground level. The head was
> essentially also the flywheel. You sit crosslegged next to the wheel,
> and power it by inserting a stick into one of several holes in the wheel
> head surface. You get more power more easily by pulling the stick
> toward yourself than by pushing it away, and if you're right-handed, you
> pull toward yourself on the right side of the wheel. The wheel spins
> clockwise. If you ever see any of the old films of Hamada throwing,
> this was the type of wheel he used.
> Paul Lewing, Seattle
> The only stupid question is an unasked question.
iandol on fri 14 apr 00
------------------
Subject: Re: Possibly the most stupid question yet
Graham,
Admitting ignorance is the first step towards enlightenment. And on this =
list
you will be treated with respect for taking that first step.
I got a shock when I came to Australia. Being Down Under, the first thing I
found out was that the wheels all revolved anticlockwise. A warped sense of
humour blamed the Corriolis Effect.
I learned to throw in the UK, clockwise on a treadle wheel and the electrics=
at
the college I attended rotated clockwise.
Hope you have lots of success.
Ivor Lewis. Still hanging on to the World with the tips of my toes.
Michael Shernick on sat 15 apr 00
Hi Graham--
I learned to throw on a kick wheel, which spins according to which leg you
use to kick it. I, too, was watching my teacher do his pulls on the right. I
tried and tried to get it. Then the light went off in my head: I'm left
handed, I bet I'll have better control on the outside of the cylinder wall
if I switch directions. Sure enough, kicking with my left leg (which is
stronger anyway) and working on the left side of the wheel head, I finally
got it, my left hand on the outside instead of the inside. When I bought my
Soldner wheel, I made sure it was reversible so I could throw left-handed.
But, like most lefties, I am somewhat ambidextrous, so being able to spin it
the other way is nice, too.
Just because most potters in the US spin the wheel head counterclockwise
doesn't mean you have to!
Good luck!
Michael
Berthoud, CO
---------------------------
>Graham,
>Only the most stupid question if you don't ask it. Been there done
>that. I was teaching myself throwing with the aid of a Robin Hopper
>video. (I'm right-handed) He was shown pulling up a form on the
>right hand side of the wheel, so that's what I was trying to do.
>Talk about a flat learning curve. Felt unbelievably stoopid. (ps: I can
>throw on a clockwise wheel if I pull up and work on the left side)
>
>Penny in WA
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: grahamvincent
>To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
>Date: Tuesday, April 11, 2000 12:18 PM
>Subject: Possibly the most stupid question yet
>
>
> >----------------------------Original
>message----------------------------
> >Hi, a question from an amateur and a clayart lurker who is moving
>from coil
> >pots to throwing;
> >
> >Which way does a potter's wheel turn?
> >
> >Clockwise or anti-clockwise?
> >Do people turn wheels in different directions at different stages
>during
> >throwing?
> >Do left handed and right handed potters throw with wheels rotating in
>the
> >same direction?
> >
> >I have been given a 3 phase wheel which gives me no clue concerning
>rotation
> >direction.
> >
> >Graham
> >(expecting a certain amount of ridicule at this point! - but thanks
>for your
> >help)
> >
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
Tom Fallon on sat 15 apr 00
wheels in this country are clockwis because of our electric current being 60
cycle or
60hz, you will notice on most hoshold electric apliances 115/1/60 for 115
volts, 1 phase, 60 cycle. In europe they have 50 cycle elctricity.
i hope you didn't know this, if you did i feel really stupid.
Boz
Paul Lewing on sat 15 apr 00
rickmahaffey wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Paul,
>
> Well, In Karatsu, Arita, and in Otani I saw traditional wheels that were
> kick wheels. in Karatsu and Arita on Kyushu the potters descend from
> Korean potters. Guess what, they throw clockwise, too.
See Lee Love's post today to learn how that came about.
>
> I was told that the interior was the most important surface on a pot.
> That is why the Japanese have their right (dominant) hand inside the
> pot. Of course, someone else said that your left hand is closer to
> your heart that is why it is on the outside.
As I recall, that was Michael Cardew who said that- that the left hand
was controlled by the heart and the right by the mind. So it was better
to have your left hand shaping the inside of the pot and the right on
the outside. That's probably why pots made by Europeans have so much
more "heart" than the ones made by Japanese potters, right?
>
> I figure they do it that way because that is the way they do it.
I think that's about it.
Paul Lewing, Seattle
Ashley on sun 16 apr 00
June... I was always told that Americans, although we drive on the "right"
(literally) side of the road are actually driving on the "wrong" side. It
goes back to when horse was the primary means of travel... ride your horse
on the left side so your weapon (assuming that you are in the majority of
right handers) will be on the inside and ready to defend in case you run up
on an enemy. Don't know why or how it got changed... maybe some was quite
visionary and was able to foresee the road rage factor and wanted to make it
more difficult for us to brandish our weapons while commuting.
; )
Ashley
----------
>From: Don & June MacDonald
>To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
>Subject: Re: Possibly the most stupid question yet
>Date: Fri, Apr 14, 2000, 9:25 PM
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
>
> Paul: Thank you for clearing this up for me, I had always wondered why
> European and Asian wheels went opposite to one another. Now why do some
> countries drive on the other side of the road?
> June
> Paul Lewing wrote:
>>
>> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>> > In general, wheels rotate COUNTER-clockwise in the U.S.
>> > In Japan, the opposite. Again in general, it matters not
>> > if one is left-handed or not, wheels are still rotating
>> > counter clockwise. You hold your hands at approximately
>> > three o'clock to do most wheel work.
>>
>> Ever wonder WHY Japanese wheels go clockwise and European ones go
>> counter-clockwise? And Dannon's right- it doesn't matter if you're
>> right-handed or left-handed, it matters which wheel tradition you
>> started in.
>> Both wheel systems started the way they did because most people are
>> right-handed. It was the design of the original wheels that was
>> different. Europeans started with a wheel that had a head above a
>> flywheel that was kicked with one foot, pretty much as we know
>> kickwheels even now. If you're right-handed, you're also right-footed.
>> Kick on the right side of the flywheel and the head goes
>> counter-clockwise.
>> The Japanese, on the other hand, started with a wheel that had a very
>> heavy head, and was set almost at ground level. The head was
>> essentially also the flywheel. You sit crosslegged next to the wheel,
>> and power it by inserting a stick into one of several holes in the wheel
>> head surface. You get more power more easily by pulling the stick
>> toward yourself than by pushing it away, and if you're right-handed, you
>> pull toward yourself on the right side of the wheel. The wheel spins
>> clockwise. If you ever see any of the old films of Hamada throwing,
>> this was the type of wheel he used.
>> Paul Lewing, Seattle
>> The only stupid question is an unasked question.
Janet Kaiser on sun 16 apr 00
I don't think it is a stupid question... But some of the answers have been!
However much there was reason for the difference IN THE PAST, today, it is
just another one of those conventions which can easily be ignored. Do not
forget that not all traditions need to be blindly followed. So much is being
turned on its head these days... Why not this "rule"?
We were taught on kick wheels and everyone could chose which they found
easiest. The electric wheels could rotate in either direction too. The
teacher could throw left or right so we were not being influenced by him.
The head of department was adamant that there was no difference in outcome,
but some considerable difference in learning time between what a beginner
found "natural" and what appeared to be more difficult... He also said it
usually depends on which hand you naturally use inside the pot and which
outside. This is not necessarily right or left hand biased.
I personally am right handed, but found it more natural and easier if I
kicked the wheel with my left foot. I leant into the work from the right
with my body weight on my right leg. The guy next to me was the reverse and
in the confined space we clonked heads, until we were sensible enough to
change over!
The side of the road we drive on is also convention... Like which hand you
shake.
Sides of the road is a relatively new concept and in many countries roads
are still one track with occasional passing places. Passing others was
originally on the left everywhere. This allowed the right hand to be free to
use a sword and defend or fight if necessary and the left to hold the horses
reins. Driving on the right hand side of the road was a bi-product of the
French Revolution. That time when conventions and traditions were being
seriously questioned, routed and overthrown. Anti-establishment changes even
down to the side of the road to drive on!?! That was some serious
revolution, well beyond chopping off a few heads. Except for Japan, the
countries which have retained left hand drive are mostly former British
colonies. Sweden was the final European bastion to fall. Austria famously
had left hand traffic until the annexation by Hitler, when the invading
troops created traffic chaos by insisting on marching and driving on the
wrong side of the road. They were almost defeated by the traffic jams rather
than any serious opposition.
Janet Kaiser - A mine of useless information. Still suffering from seriously
cold winter weather straight from Siberia, but hoping there will be plenty
of folk around for Easter.
The Chapel of Art, Criccieth LL52 0EA, GB-Wales
Home of The International Potters Path
TEL: (01766) 523570
WEB: http://www.the-coa.org.uk
EMAIL: postbox@the-coa.org.uk
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
Now why do some countries drive on the other side of the road?
Earl Brunner on sun 16 apr 00
Now I'm confused. I don't see the connection. What does
one have to
do with the other? Besides I can change the polarity on my
wheel and
change the direction. Mine even came with it's own built in
switch
to do so.
Tom Fallon wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
> wheels in this country are clockwis because of our electric current being 60
> cycle or
> 60hz, you will notice on most hoshold electric apliances 115/1/60 for 115
> volts, 1 phase, 60 cycle. In europe they have 50 cycle elctricity.
>
> i hope you didn't know this, if you did i feel really stupid.
>
> Boz
--
Earl Brunner
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec
mailto:bruec@anv.net
Nils Lou on sun 16 apr 00
nope, not correct assumption. Nils
On Sat, 15 Apr 2000, Tom Fallon wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
> wheels in this country are clockwis because of our electric current being 60
> cycle or
> 60hz, you will notice on most hoshold electric apliances 115/1/60 for 115
> volts, 1 phase, 60 cycle. In europe they have 50 cycle elctricity.
>
> i hope you didn't know this, if you did i feel really stupid.
>
>
> Boz
>
Don Hoskisson on sat 22 apr 00
>From: Tom Fallon, BOZPOTS@aol.com
>Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List, CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
>To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
>
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
>wheels in this country are clockwis because of our electric current being 60
>cycle or
>60hz, you will notice on most hoshold electric apliances 115/1/60 for 115
>volts, 1 phase, 60 cycle. In europe they have 50 cycle elctricity.
Tom,
The wheels in my studio turn clock-wise. The wheels at school
turn either direction. They will turn either direction depending
on which way you set up the polarity.
>
>i hope you didn't know this, if you did i feel really stupid.
>
>
>Boz
Don (off the list response)
=========================
Don Hoskisson
Art Department
Western Oregon University
hoskisd@fsa.wou.edu
=========================
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