Shimpo Rk-3E Without Bat Pin Holes - Please Help Me

[Min]

1 hour ago, hantremmer said:

Batmate arrived.   I used it with 8" square MDF bats, thin ones.  I was able to cone soft clay without issue, but on two separate pots something shifted as I was knuckling up.  Not sure if it was the batmate or the bats.  I can tell its got potential, but I might need to learn how to use it.

Most of my wood batts are MDF 5/8" thick, couple thoughts come to mind. The Batmate might be a bit too damp and / or wondering if your batts are new? Don't know if there could be some kind of finish on the MDF?

[hantremmer]

Thanks Min.  I'll try experimenting with how wet the batmate is.  I say 'batts' but I really use them as MDF tiles to move pots into storage.  That means they haven't had wear and tear, or roughing up, as a normal batt might.  Maybe that will help.  I'll keep coning and throwing to see what happens.

[hantremmer]

Threw a small vase using the Batmate.  I'm not able to say what I did right to get it to work, but the best thing wasn't lifting the bat off the wheel, it was the lack of clean up.   No need to scrape and sponge the wheelhead, just rinse the Batmate in the sink.

[hantremmer]

I'm getting along a lot better with the batmate now.  I'd recommend it to anyone - though it is just a big chamois.

I  centred 2kg the other day without issue.  I was using a brand new 11"/30cm MDF batt that was 6mm/.25" thick.   The batt stayed on the wheel without any problems, despite me leaning into it.   Also really nice not to have to clean the wheelhead afterwards (at least not beyond a couple of quick swipes with a sponge).

Thanks Min.