Centering and posture explained Pottery Wheel Throwing

[ramiew]

This was helpful~ <3 I'm taking a ceramics class, and teacher didn't really explain the posture well :( So was super confusing :( This helped me get a better understanding on how to center it and what posture I should have<3

[Jeetard2]

haha "please send me money"

[MinaNobody]

I haven't watched*

[MinaNobody]

thanks for the great videos. I watched any other videos that teach you the body posture and stuff. Your other videos are great trouble shooters, I can;t wait to get my hands dirty. :)

[gurule84]

Thanks for the great videos Tim. I just started learning how to throw and your videos have been very helpful. Keep up the great work!!!!!

[jfpachec0]

where could i find a stool like yours with adjustable legs?

[GracesAdvocate]

GREAT VID! thanks, I just started taking a wheelthrowing class (only recreation kind so the folks are really relaxed) this was very helpful. different from just "watching teacher" how it's done. the explaination about angle-arm-body-weight = pressure (ect)...thank you!

[sk8circa3]

@agretha Try getting your finger wet and drawing an "x" in the middle of the wheel head. Then smack the shit out of that clay till it won't slide around. Hope that helps!

[54mwi53]

Angled stool is a great idea!

[txjoker]

Is this a Brent or a Pacifica wheel, Tim? It looks like a Brent. Those machines are the ones I use.

[yapi85]

Hi, Is there a way I can use the clay from my backyard, or is it too rough? I want to use the backyard stuff just for practicing.

[akasha1211]

Yay! I hope lol. I have yet to face the wheel, so thanks for the tips

[AnyGirl002]

informative, thanks for sharing.

[agretha]

hey tim! your videos seriously are great. love them! thank you alot. one q: when i am throwing sometimes i cant get the clay to stay on the wheel. i follow your instructions but i get the impression that the clay is just too soft...not possible to center it well. any tipps for that problem? thanks :)

[Icyrails12]

Great vid. Can you give me an idea of what kind of clay would be good for throwing bowls, cups and things like that? I just got my 1st potter's wheel, and im having trouble trying to determine which kind of clay is best to work with. Just something basic. I won't be firing any of it until later in the year when i buy a kiln. I just wanna practice. Thx for any help.

[timseepots]

@Icyrails12 It depends on what you want to fire to in the end, and what you want your work to look like. Visit your area clay supplier and see if they have a recommendation for clay and a place to take a class. I can teach a great deal through video but somethings like kiln loading and firing need to be done in person.

[Icyrails12]

Thx for the response. Yea im not looking to learn about loading kilns or firing any time soon. I just want a simple clay to practice throwing bowls and cups...just something to work on my centering and pulling and such. I really have no preference as to what kind of clay, just something simple, as i said. And im having trouble finding a clay supplier in my area, so im really stuck here lol. Thx.

[LiveAndInPerson]

You are the only potter that doesn't wedge.....what about the air bubbles?

[timseepots]

@LiveAndInPerson No I'm not the only one. The clay I use is vacuum pugged from the bag. When I do reclaim I wedge, but I am no longer concerned about bubbles. When I make larger work I wedge to bring the clay to a more even consistency. Thanks for the sub

[rand95060]

Excellent. Probably the best centering instruction I've seen. All the advice on using your body, using the heel of one hand, etc. is spot on.

[vverewolfchick]

Lol.  I love it. It turns into a volcano, volcanos have lava, and lava is hot, and it burns and we dont want that...So great good job.

[sjjohnny]

Tim, thanks for the great videos - I'm taking a throwing class after a 35+ year lay off (threw for 2 semesters in college) and your videos are helping to restore my memory and then some! :) Keep up the great work!

[smile4menow222]

great video! tryin' to center with self-confidence! Can't wait to go in today and do this!

Oh... ya... look for the check for a ton of money!!!! hee, hee!

[NancyToday]

Another excellent lesson.  thanks tim

[MarksPottery]

good video on centering. I have not been doing well centering, it takes time some times. I will give your way a try and let you know how it goes. I think you are one of the best when it comes to instructions on pottery here on the tube.

[lah8888]

sending money soon. Thanks - great instruction and informative videos. You are one of my fav's

[awayfrompiranhas]

i like you.

most people have pretty bad videos.

[ZiotheZero]

yaaaaay!

[Thompsman]

Tim, You have a lot of good short videos. As a new ceramics teacher I am finding them useful. If you made a compilation of your videos on DVD for a reasonable price, I will buy it.

Thanks,

Bill

[armandoke]

Thanks for such a detailed explanation. Looks easy, when you do it. It's a very relaxing hobby. Your explanations are very helpful!

[optimisticostrich]

oh

thank you

i have another question in the beinging of some of your videos you say you start off with a 4 or 5 pound peice of clay

how do you find out the weight or are you just predicting

[timseepots]

I have a cheap kitchen scale.

[optimisticostrich]

does the speed of the wheel matter

cuase my pottery tecaher has a medium moving one and im just wondering if that affects the way my peice comes out

[timseepots]

the speed of the wheel determines how much pressure you can apply without messing the clay up. in the end you could make the same piece with a slow wheel as you can with a fast wheel.

[PaisleyPlace]

opt: I know I'm late in posting but wanted to add a bit more. I increase wheel speed when centering; lower the speed when opening & pulling up sides, then lower speed more when trimming. I'm adding bats as I can afford them so I tend to slow the wheel more to remove excess slip, dry hands thoroughly, cut piece from the bat on wheel, and finally lift the piece & place it on a spare bat w/others waiting to dry to leather b4 trimming. It works for me; something else might work for you.

[somanypets]

Love this video, too. My arms have been getting so tired, and my wrist sore when centering. I now realize that I haven't been using my body really, just my arms.

[bottlewasher37]

Hey Tim, LOVE your videos!

I have a request :O

Would you do a video showing posture ect for taller pieces? For myself, I find positioning my hands and my body posture "awkward" once the piece gets taller than about 8"....Any pointers or suggestions would be great!

Thank you!

[timseepots]

that is a super question. I will see what i can do.

[enslaver]

haha send you money eh, do you have any pots for sale online? =P

[timseepots]

yep on my channel there is a link to my Etsy account.

[MikeJuen]

Thanks for another great video. I have been throwing as a weekend warrior for about five years and have always had trouble with centering. I have read lots of books and watched lots of videos but it was yours that finally worked. Thanks for sharing your skills. Mike in Saginaw, MI

[timseepots]

I am glad I was able to help.

[claymoma]

And you thought there wasn't anything to talk about to do a new video . . . I understood more about centering with this one video then I have with any other video produced by any other potter. Very Very informative. Thanks Tim. Now how about something on speed? I never know when to slow down my wheel and I end up with a lop sided "thing" !!!

Thanks again, Warm regards from Debbie in Florida

[timseepots]

I dont think there is an answer to speed and success. to each their own. dont make bowls fast. oh and the rate at which you pull should be relative to the speed of the wheel

[turuanu]

Oh this was a good one. I haven't been making volcanoes for some time, but not because I knew what I was doing wrong. I keep my arms very still, but then it goes off center again. Tomorrow I'll see if it's bcuz i let go 2 fast. I can make a perfectly centered cone. Then I open the hole and it gets off center. Dunno why. Also, I have even more problems with centering pieces to trim. All that rando tapping seems meaningless to me. The more i tap, the more it goes off.

[timseepots]

Try not pushing straight down when you open it up. Find a video of me opening to see how i do it. it should be random tapping maybe i will do another trimming video.

[idusidus]

Very recognisable, I have the same issues as Turuanu, so i'll look up if you already made that trimming video. :) Also compliments for all your video. They are clear and great to watch.

Greeting from the Netherlands

[4391dylan]

Thanks for this one, I have been one of those who gets the volcanos, and this is the best eplanation and way to avoid I have seen yet.I will try it in my class tongiht,

Thanks again!

[timseepots]

I hope it worked

[cobaltcarbon8]

Hello Tim,

Concise as always.

I've recently been converted to putting the clay on the wheel while it's turning (not turning too fast, obviously) Not sure that it really makes a difference, but a friend swears that is puts energy (like the spiral energy when you wedge clay) into the clay.

Have a go for me and tell me that it makes a difference!

Gotta go now. Need to stuff money into an envelope.

Cheers, Andrew.

[timseepots]

Pulling has bee around for ever and works for people but when it comes to energy used leaning on the clay seems it would be more efficient. pulling is using your back muscles which turns the red light on. But that is a good idea show other waus of centering like the "pull" the "karate Chop" the "wet noodle" Tim

[cobaltcarbon8]

Hi Tim,

Sorry, I didn't say "pulling" said putting ie: placing the clay while the wheel is spinning. I'll do a quick Vid. today. If I have any energy left. Am digging up clay in the countryside, Axedale (great name for a country town).

Cheers, Andrew.

[timseepots]

My fault. As to the energy added when slamming the clay on the wheel? There would not be any energy added it is just the way they like to work. I dont wedge either really. Not much into energy I guess. Tim

[cobaltcarbon8]

Thanks Tim.

Was so tired after shovelling and crushing 5 tonnes of clay! But 2 weeks later, I'm o.k.

I don't wedge either if I can help it. I generally get away with the clay just being pug milled.

Cheers, Andrew.

[mudpuppy61]

Great explanation and video - thanks!

[lordytoo]

First comment and rater! timseepot ur great

i i also do poterry and im ok..but ur amazing

[timseepots]

Well with nas young as you are ifd dont get bored you problay will be better than me in no time.