Keith Arbogast on thu 26 oct 06
Thanks to all who have contributed to the 'centering' thread, and
especially to Lili who added advice about centering while standing.
My wife switched from sitting to standing while she throws about a
year ago. She has been throwing for 30 years, and has no trouble with
centering process, but she would be glad to hear advice about
centering from others who throw while standing. In particular, how
to brace oneself. Or, anything else.
With our thanks,
Keith and Jan Arbogast
Bloomington, Indiana
Maurice Weitman on fri 27 oct 06
At 16:27 -0400 on 10/26/06, Keith Arbogast wrote:
>Thanks to all who have contributed to the 'centering' thread, and
>especially to Lili who added advice about centering while standing.
>My wife switched from sitting to standing while she throws about a
>year ago. She has been throwing for 30 years, and has no trouble with
>centering process, but she would be glad to hear advice about
>centering from others who throw while standing. In particular, how
>to brace oneself. Or, anything else.
Hello, Keith and Jan,
An article that helped me figure out the tricks to throwing whilst
standing is "To Sciatica and Back: A Potter's Journey" by John Glick
which appeared in Studio Potter, Volume 15, Number 2 (June 1987).
Through the generosity of John Glick and Studio Potter, the article
is available to all at:
About seven years ago I slipped on my icy steps and fell (twice!)
onto my back, herniating three discs.
Using Glick's model, I set up my wheel so that my back was able to
lean against a wall as I threw. I used one of those lumbar support
pillows (meant for use in a chair) attached to the wall to make it
more comfortable and stable.
Without these techniques, I doubt I would have been able to throw for
more than ten minutes at a time.
I never really had trouble or discomfort centering either sitting or
standing; as it's been said often, it's all about leverage and using
your larger muscles while staying balanced. While standing, I'd say
that if you have good support for your back so that you can push your
upper body without straining or deforming your back, you're in.
Interestingly, after rebuilding my studio at home, I found that my
standing position was not as comfortable for me as it had been.
After some experimentation, I found that being seated with the wheel
raised about a foot and my chair raised a bit less than half that,
but being easily adjustable, it was much easier to keep it at a good
height. And now I can stand as I need to work on a taller pot.
I'm fairly certain that the physical work I did carrying things,
building, moving, digging, etc., made my back and other muscles and
soft tissue more limber and strong, reducing the need for standing
while throwing.
I hope that helps.
Regards,
Maurice
Marek & Pauline Drzazga-Donaldson on fri 27 oct 06
I stand when throwing large so I can flex and move. I use all my body - =
do not brace yourself as you will likely damage yourself, always, always =
relax when throwing, just lean into the clay and go with the flow.
Happy potting Marek
Hand made Architectural Ceramics from No9 Studio UK www.no9uk.com
Fully Residential Pottery Courses and more at Mole Cottage =
www.moleys.com
"Tips and Time Travel from a Vernacular Potter" reviews on =
www.keramix.com
an irreverent point of view after 35 years in the game Marek =
Drzazga-Donaldson =20
Assemble a dragon finial at www.dragonfinials.co.uk
Free Works and Mole Cottage DVD's and Video content on all the sites
Donald G. Goldsobel on sat 28 oct 06
I switched from sitting to standing a couple of years ago. I built a table
around the raised wheel. The area around the wheel is about 30 inches and is
surrounded by 1 x 4 inch boards to keep trimmings and splash contained.
The whole table is around 5.5 feet across. No part of the table is out of
reach from where I stand to throw. I use the side away from the wall for
wedging. I use the wall behind to support my back. The space on the right is
a shelf against the wall. I left a space at the place where I stand to set
the wheel into the table. I set a board topped by a piece of stair railing
that are both removable. This allows for removal of the wheel for service
etc and it provides a place for larger bats when the rail and board are
removed. The rail is wide and smooth. It is perfect to rest my arms while
throwing or trimming. The wheel/table is set in a corner area of the studio
so I have firm attachment of the table to the wall and a place for shelves
to hold tools, bats etc. The table is set away from the wall enough to allow
me to stand behind the wheel and get my butt against the wall while
standing. The wall for my back and the rail for my arms gives me all the
rigidity needed to center and open. The foot pedal is now a hand control. I
spliced a length of power cord into the pedal power cord so it could sit on
the table at left ( I am right hand dominant.).The disadvantage is that the
space behind the wheel and the height of the table are custom fitted for me.
There are people who want me to teach them, but without another wheel it is
not practical. I did set a mirror into the back of the table. It is big. I
tape drawings, magazine pics , notes, measurements on the borders. My set
up suits me. Everyone has to figure out what their needs are.
Donald
-----
Bonnie Staffel on sat 28 oct 06
I used to throw at a stand up kick wheel made by George Fetzer. It had =
what
I call a leaning board sticking out the right side of the wheel as the =
wheel
head was in the near right corner. I would kick with my left foot and =
would
lean my hip against this board. That way, my right arm below the elbow
could be tight against my body as well on top of the short wall around =
the
wheel. This allowed my left arm free to do the pulling into the right
stabilized hand. I worked this way for about twelve years and =
developed a
crooked back/hip. When Norm Schulman developed an electric wheel, I
purchased it immediately and have been a devotee ever since to the =
electric
wheel.
When I was teaching in Denmark, I had a sit down kick wheel, motor =
assist,
so I braced my elbows into my body while leaning on the splash pan, =
using
one hand to pull the clay towards the braced other hand, often reversing =
the
roles. =20
Now I use a Creative Industries wheel with no splash pan and lean on my
upper legs to brace myself for throwing off the hump. Probably with all =
the
years of working and now working with rather soft clay, it is easy to
center. I sit on a stool which is on a slightly higher level top the =
wheel
head. I rarely center a large ball of clay any more as I use the coil
method of throwing for the larger pots so no strength is necessary to =
center
the coil. =20
Bonnie Staffel
http://webpages.charter.net/bstaffel/
http://vasefinder.com/bstaffelgallery1.html
DVD Throwing with Coils and Slabs
DVD Beginning Processes
Charter Member Potters Council
Keith Arbogast on sat 28 oct 06
Hello Maurice,
Thank you for the generous note. I have printed John Glick's article
for my wife. In fact, she did have constant sciatica before I put
her wheel on a stand. Once she changed to standing-throwing her
sciatica went away quickly. However, she did experience temporary
pain in her upper back, probably from using her muscles in a new way.
Since she has been stands all day on concrete now she has developed
plantar fasciitis (sp?). Floor pads, better shoes and physical
therapy have all helped to ameliorate that. Perhaps we will try an
in-between wheel height based on your experience. With the wheel at
its current height she has to stand on a step ladder to pull up tall
forms.
With our best wishes,
Keith Arbogast
On Oct 28, 2006, at 1:14 AM, Maurice Weitman wrote:
At 16:27 -0400 on 10/26/06, Keith Arbogast wrote:
> Thanks to all who have contributed to the 'centering' thread, and
> especially to Lili who added advice about centering while standing.
> My wife switched from sitting to standing while she throws about a
> year ago. She has been throwing for 30 years, and has no trouble with
> centering process, but she would be glad to hear advice about
> centering from others who throw while standing. In particular, how
> to brace oneself. Or, anything else.
Hello, Keith and Jan,
An article that helped me figure out the tricks to throwing whilst
standing is "To Sciatica and Back: A Potter's Journey" by John Glick
which appeared in Studio Potter, Volume 15, Number 2 (June 1987).
Through the generosity of John Glick and Studio Potter, the article
is available to all at:
About seven years ago I slipped on my icy steps and fell (twice!)
onto my back, herniating three discs.
Using Glick's model, I set up my wheel so that my back was able to
lean against a wall as I threw. I used one of those lumbar support
pillows (meant for use in a chair) attached to the wall to make it
more comfortable and stable.
Without these techniques, I doubt I would have been able to throw for
more than ten minutes at a time.
I never really had trouble or discomfort centering either sitting or
standing; as it's been said often, it's all about leverage and using
your larger muscles while staying balanced. While standing, I'd say
that if you have good support for your back so that you can push your
upper body without straining or deforming your back, you're in.
Interestingly, after rebuilding my studio at home, I found that my
standing position was not as comfortable for me as it had been. After
some experimentation, I found that being seated with the wheel raised
about a foot and my chair raised a bit less than half that, but being
easily adjustable, it was much easier to keep it at a good height.
And now I can stand as I need to work on a taller pot.
I'm fairly certain that the physical work I did carrying things,
building, moving, digging, etc., made my back and other muscles and
soft tissue more limber and strong, reducing the need for standing
while throwing.
I hope that helps.
Regards,
Maurice
Keith Arbogast on sat 28 oct 06
Hi Marek,
Thank you for the advice. In fact, we were trying to determine how
she should brace herself. Glad to know you think that's the wrong idea.
Keith Arbogast
Charlie Cummings on sat 28 oct 06
I have thrown while standing for about 14 years now. I swear by it.
I have my wheel head about 3 inches below the height of my belly
button. This is about 4 inches below my elbow when I hold my arms at
my side bent at 90 degrees. This puts the clay low enough that I can
have my arms at about 45 degrees when I am centering. I simply lock
my arms at my side and lean forward to center most things.
I have the wheel close to the wall so I can brace my rear on the wall
if I am centering large balls of clay.
Foot fatigue is one of the downfalls of this way of throwing. I have
a cinder block on either side of where I stand behind the wheel. If
switch between propping one or the other foot on the block to rest them.
The cinder blocks also come in handy when I am taller larger pots. I
simply step up on both blocks at the same time and I'm 8" taller.
Charlie Cummings
At 03:53 PM 10/28/2006, you wrote:
>Hello Maurice,
>Thank you for the generous note. I have printed John Glick's article
>for my wife. In fact, she did have constant sciatica before I put
>her wheel on a stand. Once she changed to standing-throwing her
>sciatica went away quickly. However, she did experience temporary
>pain in her upper back, probably from using her muscles in a new way.
>Since she has been stands all day on concrete now she has developed
>plantar fasciitis (sp?). Floor pads, better shoes and physical
>therapy have all helped to ameliorate that. Perhaps we will try an
>in-between wheel height based on your experience. With the wheel at
>its current height she has to stand on a step ladder to pull up tall
>forms.
>With our best wishes,
>Keith Arbogast
>
>On Oct 28, 2006, at 1:14 AM, Maurice Weitman wrote:
>
>At 16:27 -0400 on 10/26/06, Keith Arbogast wrote:
>>Thanks to all who have contributed to the 'centering' thread, and
>>especially to Lili who added advice about centering while standing.
>>My wife switched from sitting to standing while she throws about a
>>year ago. She has been throwing for 30 years, and has no trouble with
>>centering process, but she would be glad to hear advice about
>>centering from others who throw while standing. In particular, how
>>to brace oneself. Or, anything else.
>
Charlie Cummings Clay Studio & Gallery
4130 South Clinton Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46806
Charlie@claylink.com
260-458-9160
www.claylink.com
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