Important Preliminary Notes:
- Before using any studio equipment, ask for an orientation from your instructor.
- All equipment must be cleaned thoroughly after each use.
Potter’s Wheels
Three brands of potter’s wheels are available at CAW:
Direct motor drive
Attached foot pedal/hand lever
Wheelhead diameter: 12″
Power: 0.5 HP
Speed: 0-250 rpm
Active brake
Torque: centers 100 lbs.
Instruction Manual
Belt drive
Remote foot pedal
Wheelhead diameter: 12″, and 14″
Power: C: 0.5 HP; CSC: 1 HP
Speed: 0-240 rpm
Friction coast down
Torque: C: centers 75 lbs.; CXC: centers 100 lbs.
Belt drive
Remote foot pedal
Wheelhead diameter: 13″
Power: 0.5 HP
Speed: 0-240 rpm
Friction coast down
Torque: C: centers 80 lbs.
Instruction Manual
All of the wheels are electronically controlled to hold speed when load is applied, and all have bat pin holes drilled on a 10 inch diameter. Although the wheels are pretty rugged, they can be damaged if misused, so please take the following precautions:
- Turn the power switch OFF before plugging the wheel into a wall outlet.
- Push the speed control lever/pedal to ZERO before turning the power on.
- Do not reverse the rotation direction while your wheel is spinning.
- Do not let an excessive amount of water collect in your splash pan.
- Do not contact the wheelhead with metal trimming tool, or otherwise scrape the finish. Use only plastic or rubber tools to scrape clay from the wheelhead.
- Turn your wheel off when you are finished using it: push the speed control to zero, and turn the electric power switch to OFF.
Slab Roller
Our Brent SR 20 slab roller can make slabs up to 20″ wide and 52″ long. The slab’s thickness is controlled by placing one or more rectangular hardboard board shims on the rolling deck. Without any shims on the deck, the machine will make a 1-1/2” thick slab.
Note that there will typically be shims already on the deck when you arrive at the slab roller (from the last person who used it).
Try rolling out a small piece of clay to see if the thickness is right for you. If you want to change the shim thickness, additional shims of various thickness are stored near the roller.
Clay to be rolled out is always placed on a canvas mat. They are stored on the shelf under the rolling deck, with separate, labeled mats for each type of clay. Use only a mat labeled for the clay you are using to avoid contaminating the mat and your ware. Cover both the top and bottom of your clay so that it can’t make contact with either the roller or the shim during use. Fold and return the mat when you are finished.
Clay Extruder
We have a Brent 4 inch diameter extruder mounted on the shelf to the left of the main sinks. An assortment of dies is stored just behind the extruder.
To use the extruder, remove the bottom end cap , insert the rubber washer from the die box, place the die you want to use on top of it, and then reattach the end cap to the barrel.
Next load some clay; the easiest way is to insert a pugged log directly from the clay barrel, which holds about 10 pounds.
Put the plunger into the clay tube, and begin pulling down the handle to compress the clay and force it out the die. The shackle will advance down the guide pipe as you pump the plunger handle.
You can make your own dies by cutting a circular piece of 1/2 inch plywood to 4-1/4 inches in diameter, and creating a through-hole design.
Wedging Areas
There is a wedging table in the main pottery studio work area. You can use this to wedge both stoneware and terracotta, but please clean up thoroughly after using it to avoid contaminating other people’s clay.
A separate porcelain wedging bat is available on the studio potters’ table for wedging and reclaiming porcelain and white stoneware. Never use it for brown stoneware or terracotta clay, and be sure to leave the bat clean after each use. Clean the bat with fresh water and a thoroughly rinsed-out sponge.
Studio Scale
An accurate pricing scale to weigh your finished ware is located on the bench in the ware room. The scale is powered on using the rocker switch under its right side. Leave the scale’s power cord plugged in at all times. Owner’s Manual.
You can weigh multiple pieces in a single operation; individual weights are not necessary.
To use the scale to weigh and price your ware:
- Place your ware on the scale bed.
- Use the keypad to type in the price per pound,
- The scale’s display will indicate the weight of your piece(s) and its total price.
- Enter the information for your ware on the clipboard above the scale.
- Pay the fee to your instructor or a studio potter.
Blow Dryers
Blow dryers are available to speed-dry wet clay. However, be aware that accelerated drying may lead to cracks. Try to dry your piece evenly, all around. Avoiding large moisture differences will lessen the risk of cracking later.
Ware Boards
Ware boards are located on shelves adjacent to the patio door. Use them to mount ware for slow drying. Please clean them with a sponge before returning them to the shelf.