Bam2015

Hello All, I was fortunate to find a Cink for a very reasonable price and purchased it, however the owner did not have the instruction manual. Does anyone own a Cink who would be willing to share the manual or parts of the manual with me? I could not find the instructions on line although there is a lengthy video on YouTube. I sent Diamond Tools who sells them an email asking if I could have access to instructions, but haven't heard back from them. Thank you, Betty

Hello Pres, As I was trimming a pot last week, I started wondering if others trim pots just to clean them up and establish a foot, or is trimming part of the creative process for you? I like when I have extra clay (thicker walls & bottom) and can change the intended look of the pot depending on my mood that day. Betty

Interesting question Pres. I drive about 50 minutes to get to Portland Pottery's Braintree, MA store. I am grateful to have a place nearby. They sell Laguna and Standard clays. I can easily pick up clay and materials. One day I am going to take the 3 hour trip to Sheffield Pottery, Sheffield, MA. And I am about 3.5-4 hours from Bailey Pottery. Betty

Oh no.........

Lee, see my private message to you. I didn't want my response to get lost in this post. Betty

I personally use a Scott's Creek handheld extruder for handles. I dislike pulling handles and extrusion is quick and reproducible. I believe that Shimpo has a similar version and maybe there are others as well. Betty

I prefer slabs and like making make plates and small platters. I am very interested in surface decoration, and these types of objects are easier to embellish and layer with various underglazes and techniques.

My Giffin Grip loosens, I've learned that I need to tighten it every so often. I have a Shimpo VL Whisper Wheel and someone said that the Giffin Grip can be a problem with this wheel. Personally, I would rather stop & tighten it than trim without it. I know that my response didn't help to solve your problem...sorry, but unless someone has a solution, it might just a be a matter of recognizing that you have to stop and tighten it every once in awhile.

Hello Pres, I have a question for you, or for our viewers. If this topic has been discussed ad nauseam then I understand if you skip it, but it's something I think about. Question: To wedge or not to wedge? Do you wedge clay when it comes straight from a bag or pug mill? If you do wedge, why? Maybe you wedge for the following? a) It's what I was taught and I can't get my instructor's voice out of your head? b) I'm a little OCD, I can't sit down at the wheel until I've repeated my wedging "x" number of times. c) There is scientific proof that one must wedge! d) Nope, don't wedge, waste of time and my pots turn out beautifully! e) Other...please enlighten us.

And I meant say, Pres, your question is not a dud. Betty

I am not a very experienced potter, but have been learning on mid range, cone 6, so that's what I buy. I have stayed away from low fire because I've read repeatedly that low fire isn't as durable as mid range. I imagine it might be durable enough because a lot of well known potters use it. Betty

I'm enjoying reading everyone's responses. When I thought of this question, I wasn't necessarily looking for personal advice, but rather hoped that it would be thought provoking while at the same time provide insight to hobby potters and it has. Sorce, I agree with your response. Betty

Pottery workshops!!! I can't put enough exclamation points after my response. I am so excited to be registering for workshops. I don't have oodles of disposable income for workshops, but with no vacations, no workshops and minimal work travel during 2020, I can afford a couple of workshops in 2021 that I can drive to. Betty

Lee, do these shelves not require kiln wash? If so, I think I'm sold. Nice to see how easily they it cleaned up. Betty

Lee, you'll have to let us know what you think of them. Betty