pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET on wed 12 nov 03
Where is the appreciation of being able ( and anyone can
learn to do it,) Tap to 'Center'?
We are dealing with common "Bowls" and the like yes?
Not foot-and-a-half-tall, four-inch-wide "Bud-Vases" or
something?
Just curious...
Phil
Las Vegas
Steve Slatin on thu 13 nov 03
Phil --
Life is contextual. A G-Grip is just a tool. I don't use one,
but I use an electric wheel, a bigger compromise to simplicity,
elegance, directness, skill, than a grip, I imagine. I have noted
that as my pots get bigger, the ones I throw off the mound are less
regular at the base (only to be expected, lifting them causes the
predictable deformation, especially if I've gotten the walls nice
and thin) and I can see how a G-Grip might be extremely useful.
I basically approve of all tools that make precision easier to
attain, so calipers, yardsticks, etc. are all welcome in my workshop.
As would be a G Grip, if someone wanted to just give me one.
-- Steve Slatin (who taps, but sometimes uses a pin-tool circle at
the top as a marker, and sometimes the pin tool at the side, and
sometimes holds a thumb up and sees where the wheel is when the pot
rubs, and occasionally just eyeballs the wheelhead and thumps the pot
down where he pleases)
Susan Setley on thu 13 nov 03
In a message dated 11/13/03 4:09:43 AM, pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET writes:
<< Where is the appreciation of being able ( and anyone can
learn to do it,) Tap to 'Center'?
We are dealing with common "Bowls" and the like yes?
Not foot-and-a-half-tall, four-inch-wide "Bud-Vases" or
something?
Just curious...
>>
If you don't like them don't buy one. :)
I like my Giffin grip. I don't always use it but I do like it, and it's
particularly good when a piece is unevenly round IF you know how to compensate it,
because you can mark your piece and alwayse get it back on the same "center"
you started with if you have to take it off.
pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET on thu 13 nov 03
Dear "thirdrockfan",
I understand...
Like so many things...it is contextual.
And...since one may enjoy the same return to 'center' by
'tapping'...without any 'marks' made on the pieces, I
suppose I will be begged the point or something to continue
a little bit.
Or...the question still stands appearantly!
I know that simplicity, elegance, directness and skill do
not appeal to everyone, or, there can be feelings of
intimidation as impede acquireing or having them, which are
used to justify their absence, or to keep it that way.
None the less, I advocate that one appreciate that they may
have them, may acquire them, and, a willingness to value
them, a willingness to be them, or to want to have or be
them, may help lessen the impediments. Or an interest in
them as exceeds a value of or use for the impediments or
aversions, may just be some forward motion in it's way.
The skill to 'tap-to-center' may be acquired in a very short
time ( a few minutes) if one elect to learn it. And...it is
fun and pleasant and fast, too. The practice as necessarily
occurs in normal routines, even in a short time, shall
improve the knack, or, improve the faith in doing it without
'thinking' about it. It is not a 'thinking' thing. One need
rely on nothing else than hand and eye to do it, and, it is
very reliable. No one ever complains about bent, wangley,
mal-adjusted plastic 'arms' or parts and so on.
I think it (tapping to center) is more in harmony with the
larger sense and economy (that is, 'economy' in the sense of
integration and sureness, expression and ingenue,
eliminateing un-necessary detours and detractions and
conflicts and perambulate concessions to skills avoided, )
of making Pots, and, in many ways too.
'Clean'...is good. Both in design, and in method...at least
it seems to to me.
Things as may not be tapped-to-center are another
matter...and some sort of jig or chuck or gismo will be
called into service for the occasion...
Make sense?
Phil
Las Vegas
----- Original Message -----
From:
> If you don't like them don't buy one. :)
>
> I like my Giffin grip. I don't always use it but I do like
it, and it's
> particularly good when a piece is unevenly round IF you
know how to compensate it,
> because you can mark your piece and alwayse get it back on
the same "center"
> you started with if you have to take it off.
Susan Setley on thu 13 nov 03
In a message dated 11/13/03 4:27:46 PM, pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET writes:
<< Dear "thirdrockfan",
I understand...
Like so many things...it is contextual.
And...since one may enjoy the same return to 'center' by
'tapping'...without any 'marks' made on the pieces, I
suppose I will be begged the point or something to continue
a little bit.
>>
A very fine line on a still-trimmable bottom is very easily removed.
ASHPOTS@AOL.COM on fri 14 nov 03
All pots have a center,, kinda like us. If the pot is deformed it still has a
center. Some pots pots are harder to find center, but they have a center.
I have also have a GGRIP. I use it for one type of pot i make, my Ikabana
pots. Its just easier, but i still could tap into center and use clay wads if i
had to.
If you all had taken a Charles Counts Workshop for 2 months , all of us would
be able to tap to center. I can probably teach any one , I learned. Heck , if
i can do it , any one can do it.
When i teach how to tap into center i DONT use the persons favorite or best
pot, i use a red clay planter. Its a matter of time , time after time. It will
happen. Tapping is something i really like to do . It makes me feel complete
with the pot. Its part of making pots
Mark
www.lookoutmountainpottery.cpm
Also its 30 here this morn and all the orchids and Pachypodiums and Adeniums
and all there buddies are back in the inside window
Susan Setley on fri 14 nov 03
In a message dated 11/14/03 8:28:49 PM, fergy@CPINTERNET.COM writes:
<< If you want to learn to center:
Take a coffee can and fill it with sand, grog, whatever you got on hand.
Pretend its a pot you want to center.
Pratice tapping it into center.
You will discover that place when it is revolving where you need to tap it. >>
I think that's fine, but Giffin grips also have a place, and unless you put a
rock in one corner of the coffee can, you won't experience the exquisite
frustration of putting a piece on that doesn't have the same center of gravity at
all points. When you are a relative beginner, and your pieces are often
somewhat out of round, you ALSO need to remove them -- and then replace them back on
the center point chosen.
The Giffin grip can allow a person to develop pottery skills faster by
reducing the frustrations of trimming. When you know you can trim a piece well, you
don't mind risking more clay, more time, on new shapes not yet mastered. No
matter how badly you want to learn something, it becomes daunting when every
single step is a challenge, and trimming is a real challenge for more
inexperienced potters when the piece is off-round, ESPECIALLY when it's off round in
different ways at different levels on the piece.
Getting a Giffin grip allowed me to take risks that I don't think I would
have otherwise taken, and people who use them are not necessarily either lazy or
lacking in skills.
However, it can be a great aid.
Tony Ferguson on sat 15 nov 03
If you want to learn to center:
Take a coffee can and fill it with sand, grog, whatever you got on hand.
Pretend its a pot you want to center.
Pratice tapping it into center.
You will discover that place when it is revolving where you need to tap it.
You will be a pro and eventually not have to think about it.
Thank you.
Tony Ferguson
On Lake Superior, where the sky meets the Lake
Custom & Manufactured Kiln Design
Stoneware, Porcelain, Raku and more
by Coleman, Ferguson, Winchester...
http://www.aquariusartgallery.com
218-727-6339
315 N. Lake Ave
Apt 312
Duluth, MN 55806
----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2003 7:21 AM
Subject: Re: Giffin Grip troubles - why not learn to "Tap-to-Center"...?
> All pots have a center,, kinda like us. If the pot is deformed it still
has a
> center. Some pots pots are harder to find center, but they have a center.
>
> I have also have a GGRIP. I use it for one type of pot i make, my Ikabana
> pots. Its just easier, but i still could tap into center and use clay wads
if i
> had to.
>
> If you all had taken a Charles Counts Workshop for 2 months , all of us
would
> be able to tap to center. I can probably teach any one , I learned. Heck ,
if
> i can do it , any one can do it.
>
> When i teach how to tap into center i DONT use the persons favorite or
best
> pot, i use a red clay planter. Its a matter of time , time after time. It
will
> happen. Tapping is something i really like to do . It makes me feel
complete
> with the pot. Its part of making pots
>
> Mark
> www.lookoutmountainpottery.cpm
> Also its 30 here this morn and all the orchids and Pachypodiums and
Adeniums
> and all there buddies are back in the inside window
>
>
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