We have a New Pottery Wheel!

[John Barrett]

I mentioned in the steam thread that I was going to concentrate more on our potting - the clay sort. I haven't thrown a pot for many years, the steam stuff taking precedence.
To this end I bought a new (to us) wheel today to replace the huge ex schools one we've had for near on 22 years! It's a lot easier to handle, half the size, but the wheel itself is bigger and the drive doesn't clank when you press the pedal

!
Well chuffed.

 

[phillipsheila]

 

[Clivefog]

Fantastic, not thrown a pot in over 45 years, envy is not the word.

 

[jockaneezer]

...and now, for a short intermission.......

 

[phillipsheila]

My wife can throw a pot {at me}

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[bigwood]

Looks great John. For some strange silly moment I thought it would be steam powered making use of you beam engine.
Sorry about that I think I need more workshop time. I have a feeling there is some plotting going on about castings for my birthday next week.

 

[movan]

Hope you potters are going to show us some of your achievements, please, even if only beginners.

 

[KiwiKampers]

Have you got a kiln?

 

[phillipsheila]

my wife likes a kiln a val kiln er

 

[John Barrett]

Have you got a kiln?

Yes, an Aurora floor kiln with electronic controls. The Biz!

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[KiwiKampers]

Yes, an Aurora floor kiln with electronic controls. The Biz!

From what I hear about the cost of power in the UK you probably won't want to fire it up too often. Perhaps use it as a pizza oven at the same time as firing your pottery.
Would love to see some examples of your work. I am a big fan of studio pottery and pottery and ceramics in general.

 

[John Barrett]

Hope you potters are going to show us some of your achievements, please, even if only beginners.

First one trimmed up today and ready for Bisque firing. It doesn't look much but I've had to relearn long lost techniques, but with the right glaze treatment it will be hopefully quite elegant. The current price of leccy means it will be a while before I have enough to fill the kiln...

 

[movan]

First one trimmed up today and ready for Bisque firing. It doesn't look much but I've had to relearn long lost techniques, but with the right glaze treatment it will be hopefully quite elegant. The current price of leccy means it will be a while before I have enough to fill the kiln...
View attachment 584703

I think it is beautiful. I mean that.

 

[Southdowners]

How long can you leave a pot before putting it in the kiln?

 

[John Barrett]

How long can you leave a pot before putting it in the kiln?

As long as you like, as my kiln has variable ramp programmes to dry the pieces out before top temperature is reached.

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[Hawkstone]

I mentioned in the steam thread that I was going to concentrate more on our potting - the clay sort. I haven't thrown a pot for many years, the steam stuff taking precedence.
To this end I bought a new (to us) wheel today to replace the huge ex schools one we've had for near on 22 years! It's a lot easier to handle, half the size, but the wheel itself is bigger and the drive doesn't clank when you press the pedalView attachment 584068View attachment 584069!
Well chuffed.

That’s awesome. I have never thrown a pot but I get to play with all the clay at school and fire it all. We have just had approval to buy a Raku kiln at my school…..so excited to have a go.

 

[tribalbrit]

I did pottery at school, many years ago, received an O level in it as I remember, that and Geography.
Wish I had kept it up but life got in the way.
Mind you I am a brickie so perhaps it did help with my career choice.
Keep it up, great work.

 

[John Barrett]

Just for those who might be interested, I'm using my precision engineering background to 'tool up' my pottery with two more or less essential gadgets. First off, you need some 'Bats', to hold your work and make them easily removable for storage whilst drying out.
A purpose made bat holder is £96.00, but here's one I made earlier out of some 3mm A4 Birch ply.

Next, you need the potter's equivalent of a four jaw chuck, for holding the semi-dried work for trimming excess clay off its bottom, and making the thing look pretty. Again, you can buy one for £150 - 200, but here's one I made earlier from the scrap drawer...

I'll continue posting if enough Funsters find it interesting while we wait for the better weather!

 

[Nirvanauk]

Yes please, enjoy things like this.

 

[dazandandrea]

When are you holding your first class? Something ive always wanted to try.thanks for sharing

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[movan]

Loving this thread.

 

[John Barrett]

Three bowls made this weekend, waiting to be glazed and fired. The one on the left was the first one, and they are getting better...

 

[John Barrett]

Now I've put the loco away and the weather is improving, I can get back into the pottery for a bit. I threw my largest bowl ever today: it will trim up nicely. Practice makes perfect!
Here's the inside of the pottery with shelves for slip moulds, glazes, tools and instruments and all the other bits deemed necessary by the surfeit of books on the bookshelf. There's the sin bucket for the failed efforts, thankfully not full yet! The Kiln is not in the picture.

 

[nicholsong]

John

Must dent the payload

 

[Badknee]

Three bowls made this weekend, waiting to be glazed and fired. The one on the left was the first one, and they are getting better...

View attachment 585762

The one on the right looks delicate round the rim, we’ll done

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[Mrsambulancekidd]

What an interesting thread.
My friend Heather (she owns the shop I sell my creations in) has suggested that we both do some classes in this craft, neither of us has done it before, I think it will be fun.

 

[John Barrett]

Here's the bigger bowl after drying out overnight to become 'Leather Hard'. It cannot be trimmed to final shape until it is in this condition. Using simple tools I've finished the bowl inside and out, and I now need to leave it for about a week to dry out completely before firing. If I don't do that it will explode in the kiln!
Quite a pleasing shape really, it'll make a nice Xmas present for someone!

 

[nicholsong]

John

So you are not just a pretty face, very impressive.

Probably not a pretty face if your nose got an itch while you were throwing.

 

[KiwiKampers]

Will you be adding your maker’s mark?

 

[John Barrett]

Will you be adding your maker’s mark?

I suppose I could 3D print a Coat of Arms stamp!

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