Hybrid Korean Style Momentum Pottery Wheel

Being inspired by videos of English potter Jim Malone throwing, I have come up with some plans for a similar type wheel, which is a hybrid of a traditional kick wheel (or Continental Wheel) and a traditional Korean wheel.  Here are the cut away plans...very simple design that can be adapted to any size thrower. In the case of Jim Malone, he has raised the wheel head up maybe 6" or more using blocks of wood attached to the wheel head, making it a more comfortable height on the back.

Essentially, this wheel can be made at any height by lengthening the center portion of 1" solid steel rod and the 3"I.D. steel tube.

Rather than fabricating a top point from hardened steel, my solution is to adapt a "live center" with built in bearings from a metal lathe, cutting off the morse tapered shaft. They are cheap, made with extremely high tolerances, and are hardened steel = perfect! The receiving cup should be simple to fabricate for a piece of the 1" steel shaft, drilled with a counter sink on the drill press, heated up to red with a torch and dropped into water to quench (to harden the mild steel). This cup is then welded back on to the top of the shaft.

I envision the flywheel being in the 30 pound range, with compartments so that weight could be added. It could also easily be poured concrete for more weight, but I think the flexibility would be better.

Here is what a "live center" looks like...three bearings inside. Just cut off the shaft and mount the body into the wheel head. Can be bought for as little as $10.

A Very Large Tea Pot!

I recently was asked to make a 12 cup teapot with twelve cups to go with it, as well as a sugar jar, creamer, and a platter. Here are the first of many pieces for this set....Twelve cups for a tea pot seemed a bit heavy for everyday use, but it actually worked quite well. The tea pot pours great and the two handles give plenty of leverage to handle the large tea pot safely.

Pictures of the cups to come....

Large Bottle Progress...After Work

So I finished throwing the large bottle after it set up some and work was done for the day. I ended up bringing it up to 26"-28" (so tall, reaching all the way in I could not touch the bottom). I brought it out some as you can see and refined the form quite a bit. Collared in and threw the neck. Added four nice little pulled handles. The finished walls are 3/8" or less the entire way - no need to trim the foot! So I am still thinking about fluting it. Well see how it sets up for the night and what the morning brings.

The total total amount of clay used: about 16lbs - finished wet height: 21".

What did you do for lunch today?

Today I took a little lunch break and threw a cylinder....
That is a 12" ruler...
Will finish it up this afternoon....Most likely a bottle, but might go for a jar.
The walls are about 3/8" - 1/2" and I plan to facet or flute the finished surface.

Back to work!

Back in the studio and it feels good!

One of the nice things about working in a college art department is that there is a ceramic studio nearby. During the summer months it is a great space to get away, spread out, take a break, and spend some time after working a long day. So this summer, as in past summers, I have been staying after work and throwing for an hour or two each day. The results have been good and some new ideas and forms have had a chance to develop from sketches into actual pots. In the last couple weeks I have thrown about 8 large serving bowls (14"-20" diameter), a couple larger platters (20"-24" diameter), a couple vases, a dozen or so faceted, fluted, and paddled mugs, maybe 10 jars of varying sizes, and some new basket forms.

Bisque firing sometime in the next week and will hopefully have enough bisque ware to complete two glaze firings. Many of these pots will be glazed with a matte gray, tenmoku, iron red, and a heavy crawling white shino I regularly use. I will post pictures of some of the finished ware....

A great potter and better friend (cont.)

I learned last night of the passing of my wonderful friend Norm Hendry. I am completely at a loss for words to say....Norm was a caring friend and mentor to me as an artist and potter. To say that he will be missed does not even begin to describe the sense of loss I feel right now. He made such an impact on so many people's lives, including my own.

As he would say at the end of many conversations, "to be continued." I can only look forward for that time to come.

A great potter and better friend.

Norm Hendry

One of a couple visits over the years by the SB Fire Department during the salt firing action.