Too Much Slip When Throwing

[samidee2]

I have been throwing for about 5 years now but have not practiced enough to be awesome at throwing. I have always had a problem of creating too much slip when I am throwing pottery. I have been told that maybe I am using too much water but I watch other people and it seems that I use just as much water as they do. Maybe I am just inexperienced and over working the clay? I hate that I waste so much clay during the process. Anyone have any tips for me!? 

[Diane Puckett]

Is this causing any problems with your throwing process or the finished pots?

 

I was using a clay today that seemed to make a lot of slip, but it may only seem so because I have switched from white to brown clay. As long as everything else is going well, I don't care how much slip comes off my pots. It could be reclaimed, but I won't do that. I will use it to decorate though.

 

At Potters Council, Jennifer McCurdy demonstrated dry throwing. From what I recall, she threw a cylinder using water but then used the edges of ribs without further water. I have seen this done with both metal and rubber ribs. I find the yellow Mudtools ribs work well. You must keep the ribs clean and hold the ribs at at 90 degree angle to the clay. One rib is inside the pot, the other opposite it on the outside. You could probably find online videos of dry throwing demos.

[Guest JBaymore]

I throw quite dry overall.  I use slurry, not water for the lubrication. 

 

samidee2..... use the slurry that accumulates on your hands and put it back on the clay to act as the lubricant.  It provides the "slippery" without adding so much water.

 

best,

 

.................john