CactusPots

Even if you live in a frost free area, you still can't buy wax products in the winter.  The dealers simply won't ship then.  Make sure you have a supply by fall.

Even if you live in a frost free area, you still can't buy wax products in the winter.  The dealers simply won't ship then.  Make sure you have a supply by fall.

I've had this problem a lot, as it's just part of my work.  I think what's happening is that the outside clay layers dry and trap moisture in the slip layer.  A good solid connection is the first part as everyone notes.  An extended time in plastic bags equalizes the moisture between the layers.  A slow dry to basic dry and and then  extended dry to get the internal moisture.   Easy for me in the summer time, not so much now. 
 The bisque cycle should be slow to 200 with a soak before moving on.  Even if the bisque is perfect the attachment can peel up on the edge sometimes.  I think it's just  part of the process to have some failures.  My stuff has gotten much better in this regard with time and practice.
This problem is the number one contributor to my shard pile.
Also, I never liked Rod's Bod.  Much prefer Soldate or S 60

I agree, the grip should be directly on the wheel head and tight.  It should run true.  If you put your finger on the rim and rotate the wheel, it should run true all the way around.  With the pot centered and tightened up, it should run true.  There should be no play between the 2 main pieces of the grip.  The choice of grabbers should be close to the top of the pot.
This is a bitchen tool, something is wrong that can be corrected.

See, that's the difference between a shared environment and a personal one.  As a teacher/instructor, you're in the position to require procedures that might or might not not have a direct translation to a personal environment.  When I began setting up my studio 25+ years ago, the GG was probably the first purchase after the wheel.   It's just a skill that I don't care to invest the time in.  I didn't learn basics in a structured environment with a director that required anything.  They didn't have GG either.  He probably demoed it.
I have tools that have earned their keep and ones that haven't.  GG is definitely a keeper.

Respectfully
Couldn't disagree more.  In our age, probably hundreds of skills are discarded every year in technology.  I don't know how many people drive a stick shift (as an example) or learned this year, but fewer all the time.  I guess all firing in your studio is not some kind of wood fire kiln, cause that's a skill probably none of have from start to finish.  Skills are only retained as long as they are useful, and then forgotten.  It takes me a lot longer to tap on center, because it's not a useful skill for me.  Otherwise it can only  become an object of affection for anachronistic purposes.

I call my clutch Jeep "Millennial Theft Proof". 

This thread has brought up another interesting comparison that I don't doubt has been covered before.  The teaching/shared workspace environment and the solo studio.  Whether the solo studio is a production potter or someone like me who is something else, the focus and requirements just are not the same.   I can confidently say I've never needed to tap center and others can cry heresy.  I guess both are true.
The GG is the simplest, most durable, effective tool for the job.  IMO (as always)

Respectfully
Couldn't disagree more.  In our age, probably hundreds of skills are discarded every year in technology.  I don't know how many people drive a stick shift (as an example) or learned this year, but fewer all the time.  I guess all firing in your studio is not some kind of wood fire kiln, cause that's a skill probably none of have from start to finish.  Skills are only retained as long as they are useful, and then forgotten.  It takes me a lot longer to tap on center, because it's not a useful skill for me.  Otherwise it can only  become an object of affection for anachronistic purposes.

I'm a sloppy enough thrower that occasionally I'll have a pot in a trimming session like this.  I use a couple of little pieces of the rubber grippy shelf liner stuff to get the foot part centered and never mind the rim.
I know it works fine for everybody else (again), but griping the pot by the rim with wads of clay does not appeal to me like the riser arms on the GG.  It just stands to reason that securing the pot closer to the force applied by the trimming tool makes more sense.  Plus the fact that the rim will be much more fragile that the foot at this point.  There are 5 working heights of the arms, plus reversing the sliders to give the best position on the pot.  I just can't get over the idea that anyone would argue against the GG.  Unless you just make so few pots that it doesn't matter or you like the tradition of doing things the old way.  I guess that's why the kick wheel doesn't go away. 

This thread has brought up another interesting comparison that I don't doubt has been covered before.  The teaching/shared workspace environment and the solo studio.  Whether the solo studio is a production potter or someone like me who is something else, the focus and requirements just are not the same.   I can confidently say I've never needed to tap center and others can cry heresy.  I guess both are true.
The GG is the simplest, most durable, effective tool for the job.  IMO (as always)

I agree, the grip should be directly on the wheel head and tight.  It should run true.  If you put your finger on the rim and rotate the wheel, it should run true all the way around.  With the pot centered and tightened up, it should run true.  There should be no play between the 2 main pieces of the grip.  The choice of grabbers should be close to the top of the pot.
This is a bitchen tool, something is wrong that can be corrected.

I agree, the grip should be directly on the wheel head and tight.  It should run true.  If you put your finger on the rim and rotate the wheel, it should run true all the way around.  With the pot centered and tightened up, it should run true.  There should be no play between the 2 main pieces of the grip.  The choice of grabbers should be close to the top of the pot.
This is a bitchen tool, something is wrong that can be corrected.

In any kiln design, we always start with the shelves.  Make a commitment, there and use lots of pencil and paper.

So, anyone need me to post post pics of BT, or ya'all following along?

For me, the all time favorite is Brother Thomas.  Every page in the 2 published books of his work that I have make me feel like the village idiot.  He had a huge range of glazes that were just masterful.  Besides which, his porcelain throwing skills were beyond my comprehension.  I don't know how much more art can do for you than that. 

So, anyone need me to post post pics of BT, or ya'all following along?