Pres Posted March 21 Report Share Posted March 21 Hi folks, here's another question for those starting out and trying to equip a ceramics shop. Often we think of equipment and tools specific for ceramics, but all too many times I find myself using some non Ceramics dedicated tools in the studio. When doing kiln repairs, a good set of handled hex drivers is really helpful. Some people would say a ratchet wrench and sockets works just as well, but I have found times where I haven't been able to get the ratchet in to an area even with an extension. I also use a good set of mini files to sharpen my trimming tools, and don't forget the vice to hold things steady while you work. I could go on and on, but wish you to list your favorites. Therefore: QotW: What tools that are not specifically for ceramics would you recommend a potter have in their shop? best, Pres Hulk and Min 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted March 21 Report Share Posted March 21 I don't have any unusual tools but I do use tool tray inserts that I store my tools in. They are to be used in large tool chest, the plastic is heavy you don't need any support. They stack inside of each other and are easy to wash out. I am kind of a tool hoarder so I have three of them filled. Denice Hulk and Pres 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted March 21 Report Share Posted March 21 Not just tools but, multimeter, hammer, metric tape measure / ruler, old towels, mop, thin plastic sheeting, music / podcasts / audiobooks, diamond sanding pad. I think that generally speaking people starting out in clay tend to get too many tools and over time pare it down to fewer essential ones. Hulk, Magnolia Mud Research, Kelly in AK and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly in AK Posted March 24 Report Share Posted March 24 An angle grinder, masonry grinding discs and diamond cutting discs. Cordless Dremel tool, diamond bits. Min, Hulk and Pres 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted March 24 Author Report Share Posted March 24 Yes! @Kelly in AK, I completely forgot about those, and how often I use them to clean off a bit of old shelf I use for a riser, or to clean a stilt or other area. Dremels work well with little splotches of glaze on the bottom of a pot, or in a lid gallery that does not get cleaned properly. I also use dremels to make texture sheets out of plywood. best, Pres Hulk and Kelly in AK 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta12 Posted March 24 Report Share Posted March 24 I agree with everything stated. I would add surform. I use mine a lot for trimming. Pres, Min and Hulk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted March 24 Report Share Posted March 24 I use my bench grinder all the time for glaze runs (green course stone) and then two small dremal tools to clean up with. My angle grinder for shelves and bricks Rubbing stone to smooth pot bottoms and yes on the surform for trimming as well. 300 disc CD player as well as Pandora piped into studio and kiln area -must have for me on sperate volume controls Pres, Hulk and Roberta12 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted March 24 Report Share Posted March 24 (edited) Well fitted dust mask (P100 by 3M in size medium), kiln glasses*, safety glasses. OptiVisor (magnification), adjustable/desk lamps, spot lamps, and area lighting. New studio will have a heat pump! !! The weather here is significantly hotter and colder than where we were afore. Insulation against cold floor/slab and alloy castings (foot control) - rubber mats, bubble wrap. Shelving, pegboard, countertop/work surfaces... Drill bits (twist), calipers (cheap plastic ones), ball point pens, many buckets (2.5 quart, 1 gallon, 2 gallon, 5 gallon), large sponges (big!), notebooks. Home made trimming tools (from hacksaw blades), repurposed items as ribs, stick tools, pointer tools... "Ditto" everything already mentioned, with extra nods to music/sound, mop bucket, dremel, diamond dust discs, clean rags/cloths, closed container for dirty cloths (anything with even the Smallest Amount of dried clay on't, in there, else wetted). *protection against harmful rays when looking into the kiln via peeps, and, And, protection against any superheated flying bits. Welding glasses of proper darkness/tint, with side shields, that's what I'm using, hence, not strictly a pottery tool... Edited March 24 by Hulk warm feet > cold feets Roberta12 and Min 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted March 24 Report Share Posted March 24 A drill that can stand up to grout mixing and a paint mixing bit if you’re going to do slurry reclaim. Kelly in AK, Roberta12, Hulk and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted March 24 Report Share Posted March 24 2 hours ago, Hulk said: Well fitted dust mask (P100 by 3M in size medium), kiln glasses*, safety glasses. OptiVisor (magnification), adjustable/desk lamps, spot lamps, and area lighting. New studio will have a heat pump! !! The weather here is significantly hotter and colder than where we were afore. Insulation against cold floor/slab and alloy castings (foot control) - rubber mats, bubble wrap. Shelving, pegboard, countertop/work surfaces... Drill bits (twist), calipers (cheap plastic ones), ball point pens, many buckets (2.5 quart, 1 gallon, 2 gallon, 5 gallon), large sponges (big!), notebooks. Home made trimming tools (from hacksaw blades), repurposed items as ribs, stick tools, pointer tools... "Ditto" everything already mentioned, with extra nods to music/sound, mop bucket, dremel, diamond dust discs, clean rags/cloths, closed container for dirty cloths (anything with even the Smallest Amount of dried clay on't, in there, else wetted). *protection against harmful rays when looking into the kiln via peeps, and, And, protection against any superheated flying bits. Welding glasses of proper darkness/tint, with side shields, that's what I'm using, hence, not strictly a pottery tool... Heat pumps are great-I have installed two Mr Cool units and I'm putting in a third this summer. Not needed a studio one yet but might if it gets any hotter or Natural gas prices soar again. We use the Kitchen one daily in winter. Hulk, Roberta12 and Pres 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly in AK Posted March 25 Report Share Posted March 25 @Callie Beller Diesel Yes! The sturdy drill with a mixer. Indispensable tool. Callie Beller Diesel, Pres and Roberta12 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted March 25 Report Share Posted March 25 21 hours ago, Mark C. said: bench grinder all the time for glaze runs (green course stone) and then two small dremal tools to clean up with. My angle grinder for shelves and brick as a small-time amateur, it's good to hear that even the pros need to do this Pres 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted March 25 Report Share Posted March 25 Even keeping the tools to a minimum it sure takes a lot of stuff to run a pottery doesn't it! On a side note, I have used the metal paint mixers for glazes for quite some time but recently found some odd little shavings of plastic in my glaze. Guess I wore the mixers edges down enough so that they got sharp and started shaving the sides of my buckets. A few months ago I switched to one of these plastic octopus type stir whip ones, seems to be working well without cutting up my buckets or making air bubbles in the glaze. . Pres, Callie Beller Diesel and Roberta12 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted March 26 Report Share Posted March 26 Cool mixer, I haven't seen one like that before, it would be much easier to clean. When I started working with clay at home, I had a small table that folded down on the wall, folding chair, bucket, wooden thumb, old steak knife and sponge and a small paragon kiln. I shared a single car garage with my husband who worked on cars in the garage. Everything had to fold away so he could have room to work. My current abundant supply of tools has happened over the last 50 years, I haven't thrown any of them away. I think I'll give them to my son as his inheritance. Denice Callie Beller Diesel, Pres and Roberta12 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted March 26 Report Share Posted March 26 I use the larger Jiffy mixer with 1/2 inch drill. I just wore out my 6th or 7th head and repalced it with a new one. Bought another spare (old price 50$) as well. I seem to wear these out in a few years.Now that I'm working a bit less they should last longer.. The smaller jiffy mixer heads I use less and they seem to really last Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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