[Clayart] throwing sins

[Ken Chase]

Thanks Mel:
After reading this I realized why my throwing 
Wasn't successful today. Ran the wheel too fast.
Best,
Ken

Sent from my iPad

> On Feb 11, 2017, at 3:07 PM, mel jacobson <melpots2 at visi.com> wrote:
> 
> one of the greatest sin in throwing is having your wheel set to spin at max rpm.
> 
> when i go to schools to demo, i find that brent's are turned to the highest setting.  if you put wings on the thing it would fly.
> 
> turn your speed to half of max, yes, half of max.
> brent's have a plate on the bottom of the foot feed
> and it comes off.  (four screws) there is a hole, but take off the plate.  see how it all works..and make sure things are tight.  you will see a thing like a tuning fork.
> it controls the speed...make sure the set screw is tight.
> (that is a common problem with brent's...that screw comes loose.  fix it.  tune of your wheel every couple of years.
> 
> there is a red and blue spindle.  turn on the wheel
> and start the foot pedal with your hands.  on your lap.
> turn to high.  now, turn the red spindle to half speed.
> the wheel slows.  find a good place for you.
> now the blue spindle will turn off the wheel as you slow down. find a perfect spot.  experiment before you replace
> the cover plate.
> high speed does you no good at all.
> 
> you have more than enough torque to center anything.
> high speed centering comes from kick wheels...getting
> a head of steam.  you don't need that with power wheels.
> it is an old man's tale.  total b s / like slamming down clay
> before you throw...most of  you ruin the clay that is probably de/aired.   you spend time cutting and slamming re/claimed clay or from the pug mill.
> 
> other wheels have speed settings.  get your book or call the manufacturer....i have no idea why wheels come from the factory with all that speed. dumb.
> only bad things can happen with a speedy wheel.
> 
> throwing is a dance.
> you have to have your clay at a perfect density.
> not too soft, not too hard.  be consistent.  i run all clay through my pug mill. add a touch of water if needed.  always the same density
> you have to make your speed of wheel, match your pressure of fingers. slow down, feel the clay....keep the clay damp, not dripping wet.
> 
> and, once you start...get after it, don't mess for 15 minutes...the clay is getting very wet and will not hold up.
> slam down, center, open and re/center...pull up the cylinder
> then shape. 5 to 6 minutes
> 
> you have to force yourself to be diligent. don't throw, then stare out the window for ten minutes.  don't pick your nose
> and wonder what is next.
> 
> set a pace and keep going.  make twenty balls of clay and throw them all.  no farting around.
> 
> it is like playing a mozart piano concerto. you don't stop in the middle and wonder what you are doing.  start to finish...keep playing.  then do it again, twenty times.
> get off the wheel, have a drink of water and do twenty more.
> then twenty more.  just like practicing the piano, a couple hours a day. no practice, no skill.
> mel
> 
> 
> 
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