Lori Leary on sat 15 nov 03
Another tapping on center hint:
Don't follow through on the tap. Sometimes beginners tend to follow
through on the tap. Just use a QUICK tap. Pull your finger(s) back
immediately.
I don't use wads of clay...I just moisten the rim and the wheelhead.
No time consuming wads of clay to deal with.
Lori L.
Mountain Top, PA
Allyson May on sat 15 nov 03
My first pottery instructor was a tiny Japanese woman who demanded that =
we learn to tap on center. I worked at it for 2 semesters and never got =
it! I guess I'm just TOC Challenged (tap on center) ;0). I remember =
sitting in the studio trying to master this elusive technique while =
right across from my wheel sat a wheel that was permanently outfitted =
with a Giffin Grip. We were not allowed to use this wheel and were told =
that it was a device used by lazy potters who did not want to take the =
time to do things the right way. Now that I have my own studio I have =
become one of those "Lazy Potters" who own and faithfully use their =
Giffin Grip. It has dramatically reduced the amount of time I spend =
trimming and fewer pots become reclaim due to a trimming fatality. ALL =
HAIL THE GIFFIN GRIP! I do however, still admire and marvel those of =
you who can tap on center with such speed and ease.
Peace,
Allyson May
Stoney Creek Pottery
Bloomington, Indiana
Susan Setley on sat 15 nov 03
In a message dated 11/15/03 7:19:39 AM, AMay4@MSN.COM writes:
<< I do however, still admire and marvel those of you who can tap on center
with such speed and ease. >>
Of course. We could just as easily criticize people who have more than two
(or four, or six) different kinds of trimming tools because they haven't learned
to use the two (or four etc.) adequately.
Why not set an arbitrary time limit on how long it takes to center the clay
or not be a "real" potter.
Sure, most people CAN "tap on center." But if you have to take it off the
wheel and put it back on again, which most student-level potters will have to do
at least sometimes, it then becomes very important to get the pot back exactly
where it was before. It's very easy to do that precisely with a Giffin grip.
I had a Japanese professor tell me that only lazy graduate students used
computer programs to calculate the statistics for their research, that "real"
students did it -- without a calculator even. And, to make sure it was right, of
course, I would have to do it twice -- and show him the evidence of it.
I went to the head of the department who informed me that students with
straight A's (me) were by definition not lazy, and that the department had just
bought a computer (mind you this was 1973, so a real marvel) JUST for calculating
research statistics, and that my project had just been designated the test
case, and that THEY would do the calculations (using a calculator) on selected
items to make sure it calculated correctly. The BIG marvel was putting the
information in with a keyboard instead of punch cards. :)
The man was removed from chairing any more master's or Ph.D. dissertations
and was let go at the end of the year. He believed he was right, of course, but
that didn't make him right.
So I will say that -- BY DEFINITION -- anyone who takes up pottery and sticks
with it is not lazy, and is no quitter. Those people (along with those who
try it and just don't care for it) leave after one class and don't return.
Pottery is self-selecting for non-lazy people.
24 hours later I had a printout
Michael Wendt on sat 15 nov 03
I was at first scornful of the grip when Joan Beamish, an older potter who
worked with me in the late 70s (until she retired a few years ago), got one
and began using it. When I finally saw one, I realized that the grip is a 3
jaw lathe scroll chuck. No machine shop would ever be without one or say...
"only lazy machinists use a 3 jaw scroll chuck! To be a true machinist you
must use only a 4 jaw independent chuck (these pre-dated the invention of
the scroll chuck)."
In what other field would anyone turn away from innovations designed to
speed production, reduce loss rates and permit more earnings per hour?
Machine shops embrace faster, more efficient technologies or go out of
business.
Since that time, I have constantly sought ways to work faster and more
efficiently without sacrificing the handmade qualities I want to keep that
make handmade work special, different from cast or machine made wares and
unique.
For those who tried my web site, here is the screen link:
http://www.wendtpottery.com/supply.htm
Regards,
Michael Wendt
Wendt Pottery
2729 Clearwater Ave
Lewiston, ID 83501
wendtpot@lewiston.com
www.wendtpottery.com
pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET on sat 15 nov 03
Susan...
If you tap-to-center ...the Pot WILL be 'exactly' where it
was 'before'...
The 'center' IS the Center...
That is why it is called the "center"...
A Pot is either centered or it is not..
To remove it and re-center it IS for it to be ( once again)
'centered'...
There is no rational association of the use of the 'grip'
Susan, and 'lazyness'...
Rather, tapping to center is a great time saver, it is
direct, and is a skill entirely consistant with the whole
integrity of making Pots on the Wheel.
'Lazy' has nothing to do with it.
Best,
Phil
Las Vegas
----- Original Message -----
From: "Susan Setley"
> Sure, most people CAN "tap on center." But if you have to
take it off the
> wheel and put it back on again, which most student-level
potters will have to do
> at least sometimes, it then becomes very important to get
the pot back exactly
> where it was before. It's very easy to do that precisely
with a Giffin grip.
Lori Leary on sat 15 nov 03
When I taught, I would not allow students use the 'Giffy' until they
could tap on center proficiently. They might not always have access to
a Grip, and to be honest, I felt that I would be doing my students a
disservice by not teaching them to tap on center. Everyone seemed to
learn, and the Giffen Grip gathered dust most of the time. I kept
plenty of chucks available, in a variety of sizes. I never bisqued
them, by the way....it seemed to be easier to attach them to the
wheelhead with a little slip.
My biggest piece of advice about tapping on center is to use a soft
focus while tapping...sometimes I don't even look while I am tapping on
center.
Sorta like Luke using the force, I guess..
Lori L.
Mountain Top, PA
Veena Raghavan on sat 15 nov 03
I don't use wads of clay to hold my pots on the wheel for trimming. Rathe=
r
I sponge the wheel and the rim of the pot to make it stick. Is there any
secret to tapping to center under these circumstances, or am I just TOC
challenged like Allyson?
Thanks in advance for any advice, as I would love to be able to master th=
is
skill.
Veena
Veena Raghavan
75124.2520@compuserve.com
Susan Setley on sat 15 nov 03
In a message dated 11/15/03 6:52:34 PM, pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET writes:
<< Susan...
If you tap-to-center ...the Pot WILL be 'exactly' where it
was 'before'...
The 'center' IS the Center... >>
Well, but it isn't always. Sometimes the lip or the bottom is off center from
the gravitational center. Gravitational center isn't always the visual center
for the foot. I rarely keep such pots now, but one I made that way was a
favorite with several people.
I'm sorry but I'm with the guy who views the Giffin Grip as just another
tool. I like it.
Janet Kaiser on sun 16 nov 03
Oh, what fun, Lori! I had no idea you share the powers of Luke
Skywalker!?
Sincerely
Janet Kaiser -- I just knew this controversy would reignite...
And didn't I tell everyone to lay off GGs? Just shows how little
anyone listens to me... Mutter... Mutter... Mutter....
*** IN REPLY TO THE FOLLOWING MAIL:
>My biggest piece of advice about tapping on center is to use a
soft
>focus while tapping...sometimes I don't even look while I am
tapping on
>center. Sorta like Luke using the force, I guess..
*** THE MAIL FROM Lori Leary ENDS HERE ***
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The top posted mail was sent by Janet Kaiser
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Lee Love on sun 16 nov 03
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Wendt"
> For those who tried my web site, here is the screen link:
> http://www.wendtpottery.com/supply.htm
Michael,
Great tools! Is it possible to see a photo of your plate claw
attached to a plate?
Thanks,
--
Lee In Mashiko, Japan
http://Mashiko.org
Web Log (click on recent date):
http://www.livejournal.com/users/togeika/calendar
Earl Krueger on sun 16 nov 03
On Saturday, Nov 15, 2003, at 19:34 US/Pacific, Lori Leary wrote:
> I don't use wads of clay...I just moisten the rim and the wheelhead.
Lori, et. al.,
And then I have nice FLAT topped rims.
How do you keep that from happening?
Or do you?
Earl...
Bothell, WA, USA
Lori Leary on sun 16 nov 03
Earl wrote:
And then I have nice FLAT topped rims.
How do you keep that from happening?
Hi Earl,
If needed, I smooth them with a damp sponge, or even my finger. If you
have very thin rims, you may have some difficulty.
Another tip:
I used to keep small leatherhard and dry cylinders around for my
students to practice tapping. They wouldn't get so stressed out about
practicing and it was more like the real thing. If the practice
cylinders broke, they would go in the reclaim and I would make more.
Lori L.
PA
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