Arnolds Home Improvements on tue 23 sep 03
Hi All
I have developed a problem that I can't seem to get rid of no matter what I
have tried.
It doesn't seem to matter what amount of clay (1 pound up to 7 pounds) I use
the pots get the wobbles when I start the shaping process.
The cylinders don't have a wobble and after cutting several apart the wall
thickness seems to be consistent, only slightly thicker at the bottom. The
wobble appears weather the clay comes right from the bag or if I run it
through the pug mill.
It seems weather I throw wet or dry the problem remains the same.
The wobble seems to be from mid section to the shoulder of the pot.
Anybody want to buy some wobbly pots?????? They don't fall down!!!
Thanks for any help anyone can offer!!!
Gene Arnold
mudduck@advi.net
Ron Roy on thu 25 sep 03
Hi Gene,
This could be the problem that most potters experience as they are learning
to throw taller pots.
When you throw taller pots you tend to pull the top towards you because
your arms come up in an arc. You pull the clay towards you. TYwisting is
not the right word to describe what is happening but it sure looks and
feels like that.
You need to learn to move your arms away from you a bit as the pot gets taller.
Have someone watch you from the side - or use a mirror - it is quite easy
to see.
Many of us learned that lesson a long time ago - like so many aspects of
pottery - it is hard to remember all the lessons we have had to learn the
hard way.
RR
>I have developed a problem that I can't seem to get rid of no matter what I
>have tried.
>
>It doesn't seem to matter what amount of clay (1 pound up to 7 pounds) I use
>the pots get the wobbles when I start the shaping process.
>
>The cylinders don't have a wobble and after cutting several apart the wall
>thickness seems to be consistent, only slightly thicker at the bottom. The
>wobble appears weather the clay comes right from the bag or if I run it
>through the pug mill.
>
>It seems weather I throw wet or dry the problem remains the same.
>
>The wobble seems to be from mid section to the shoulder of the pot.
>
>Anybody want to buy some wobbly pots?????? They don't fall down!!!
>
>Thanks for any help anyone can offer!!!
>Gene Arnold
>mudduck@advi.net
Ron Roy
RR#4
15084 Little Lake Road
Brighton, Ontario
Canada
K0K 1H0
Phone: 613-475-9544
Fax: 613-475-3513
william schran on thu 25 sep 03
Gene wrote: > The wobble seems to be from mid section to the shoulder
of the pot.<
Gene - I've found many of my students run into this problem to some
extent and the issue seems to be continued increasing pressure
between inside & outside fingers as the clay is pulled up, which
causes the clay at the upper part of the pot to become too thin,
leading to wobbling. The increased friction from this pressure also
contributes to the wobble.
I instruct my students to squeeze an amount of clay between
inside/outside fingers at the bottom of the pot then maintain that
distance between their inside/outside fingers as the clay is pulled
up - making certain they don't squeeze their fingers together any
more than the distance between them that they started with at the
bottom.
Bill
Janet Kaiser on thu 25 sep 03
A long, long time ago, back when dinosaurs ruled the earth and I
was learning to throw, I experienced a similar problem, Gene and
I bet a great many others did/do too. At least it sounds the same
from your description. It is probably also what Wayne talked
about when he mentioned "torquing". Where the pot acquires a
twist similar to wringing out a cloth? It that it? Often tearing
off?
If so and you are otherwise throwing just fine with the clay you
are using, then there are two specific aspects of your throwing
technique to consider next. First not only how much and how even
& consistent, but the way in which you are applying pressure when
forming by pulling out and/or in to achieve the shape you are
aiming for.
Secondly the speed of the wheel. That was my Waterloo (too fast)
just as Wayne has discovered. At this point I would therefore
advise you should try adjusting the speed before you start
fretting about your throwing technique. Sometimes the head
(intellect) is no good at all, especially if it starts worrying
the hands about what they are doing!
I am sure other, better teachers will be able to offer you more.
Good luck!
Sincerely
Janet Kaiser
*** IN REPLY TO THE FOLLOWING MAIL:
>I have developed a problem that I can't seem to get rid of no
matter what I
>have tried.
>It doesn't seem to matter what amount of clay (1 pound up to 7
pounds) I
>use the pots get the wobbles when I start the shaping process.
>The cylinders don't have a wobble and after cutting several
apart the wall
>thickness seems to be consistent, only slightly thicker at the
bottom.
*** THE MAIL FROM Arnolds Home Improvements ENDS HERE ***
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