Thrown Lidswith Knobs

[clay lover]

I have seen this done somewhere, but can't remember where. I have some old notes from a workshop with Cynthia Bringle that suggest that she showed it way back then, but I don't remember the details and my notes don't tell all.

 

It was done off the hump to the caliper measurement, like making small bowls, but what I don't get is how to cut it off and set it down without mashing the knob area.

Did I see a youtube on this? Can;t find it there either.

Thanks in advance, those who answer.

[Pres]

I have seen this done somewhere, but can't remember where. I have some old notes from a workshop with Cynthia Bringle that suggest that she showed it way back then, but I don't remember the details and my notes don't tell all.

 

It was done off the hump to the caliper measurement, like making small bowls, but what I don't get is how to cut it off and set it down without mashing the knob area.

Did I see a youtube on this? Can;t find it there either.

Thanks in advance, those who answer.

 

 

I usually throw my knobs right on the lid by slipping on a ball of clay and throwing it. However, I throw off the hump a lot, and have found that using an old type butter knife works well for the following process-throw the knob, undercut with wooden rib, and wet a knife or spatula, slowly move the knife in at the undercut, cutting off the handle, and removing it in one step. Move to bat, and slide off of knife gently with fingers. Takes a few tries to get it to work, but saves a lot of time. I use this technique to remove chalice bowls from the hump, then the stems.

[clay lover]

Thanks, Pres, what I'm trying to remember is a way of throwing the lid with knob all in 1 piece, I think off the hump, upside down.

Am I having a dream?

[pent19]

your not imagining this,i have seen it too, tried it and i feel its 6 one half dozen the other.

basically you throw the lid, including the knob.

then throw a hump with a hole in the center to trim the inside of the lid you just made.

Center leather hard lid on the hump, trim as needed.

I seen this video (may have been on this site or another site) where this was demonstrated. Wish i could help you with a link, but this is what i remember!

 

 

[ArtView]

I throw a lid with the knob off of the hump. I shape a cookie/door knob at the top, move leftover clay from the hump down, take the edges on both ends of the cookie/door knob (horizontal on the cookie) and begin moving clay from outer edge to center until I have a small cylinder, then pull up this small cylinder until I get the right height for the knob and seal the top together by slowly pinching top until it meets. Create a 45 degree Angle to the edge of the cookie with clay underneath, then slowly knife way into hump, and finally wire it off. Then, to trim, I throw a cylinder (to make a chuck, you may want to let it dry just a bit and you can use it all day for trimming...just dampen the top edge and there will be a nice seal) and put the lid upside down to trim the excess clay. I know this is hard to visualize. Let me know if you have questions.

 

Also, I have taken a workshop with Cynthia and I think you are right...she taught us how to throw an upside down lid. Basically, it is creating the hump, then creating an upside down bowl with an opening, tapering the different levels, then finally, going back down to the base of your "cookie" or upside down bowl and while slowly balancing your wider bowl, throw the very top of the lid (the ball) and carefully wire off of hump...important part for success is trimming excess clay once it dries to leather hard stage. It was a nice look because it created different levels in the lid (kind of like an upside down tapered candlestick holder). Oh and your question about mashing the knob...once you remove it from the hump, rest it on the bottom part (opposite end of the knob) til leather hard, I remember Cynthia removing the lid with the tips of her fingers, then flip back to upside down position on a clay cylinder (serving as a chuck) and trim the interior, even down into the knob which will be solid until trimming.

 

I really hope this makes sense. Wish I could show you! Good luck! And let me know if you need more detail about any specifics. Thanks!

[Pres]

Thanks, Pres, what I'm trying to remember is a way of throwing the lid with knob all in 1 piece, I think off the hump, upside down.

Am I having a dream?

 

 

There is a way of doing that.

 

First with a

Domed lid: throw the dome lid as a bowl, be certain to thicken the rim. Then milk/narrow the base under the bowl slowly, undercut and inch or so down where the bowl base would be, then notch with rib and remove as I said before. Lay on your bat as thrown off wheel. Later when rim has turned leather hard and the bottom is still softer, turn the bowl over on the wheel, center, and throw the shape of the knob, you can open up, or leave solid if not too thick. If too hard trim the shape of the knob.

 

Flat lids: throw on hump as they go on pot. center top portion, push clay down about 1 inch from center down 1/2 to 3/4 inch, pull clay pushed down outward to form lid, thicken outer rim. open center section and pull knob upwards ad shape. notch below lid, and then remove with knife. leather hard turn upside down on chuck and trim.

[Earthwood]

Thanks, Pres, what I'm trying to remember is a way of throwing the lid with knob all in 1 piece, I think off the hump, upside down.

Am I having a dream?

 

 

No you are not having a dream. If you go to YouTube and search for "Jerry Marshall" and/or "Throw Amazing Lids off The Mound" you will find the video demonstrating this technique. This is how I learned to make lids with knobs. It takes a bit of practice, and I still struggle with making the lip of the lid too thin, but it is perfectly do-able!

 

Good luck!

 

- Sam