good elephant pottery
  • blog
  • recent work
  • where to buy
  • the potter
  • contact
  • mailing list
  • school

Throwing multiples, without losing your mind.

3/25/2014

10 Comments

 
I remember how I felt about this many years ago. And I commonly hear other potters express this sentiment. Something along the lines of "Ugh! Making multiples of the exact same pot sounds like torture!" Don't worry, the torture is only a phase. There is a point when it becomes bliss. The difference is skill level. If throwing one pot to exact dimensions involves a mental strain, then doing it many times will cause serious brain cramps. But when you can throw to exact dimensions easily, without wasting effort, it is a rhythmic and zen-like process. Hours of quiet work go by. When you say "good night" to the rows of identical pots, they answer back "well you had a productive day, didn't you?"

I have a tool for throwing multiples, which I consider indispensable: a throwing gauge. You can buy throwing gauges, but I made a simple one for free out of a broken gooseneck table lamp. I removed the lamp head and the electrical cord. I attached a metal pin (a leftover part from disassembling the lamp) to the end of the gooseneck with a blob of electrician's putty. Then I secured the putty and the pin in place with electrical tape.
Picture

Here's how it works ... throw one pot to the dimensions you want, taking time to measure it carefully. When done, position the throwing gauge so the end of the pin hovers right above the rim of the pot.
Picture

Now, the pin guides you as you throw all the subsequent pots. It gives you both the height and the width of the rim. Unlike a ruler or calipers, you don't need to stop throwing to check your progress. Just aim for the pin. And here's a trade secret from a production potter ... when throwing multiples, the only dimensions that matter are the height and width of the rim. The other aspects of shape are not terribly important. As long as the rims are the same height and width, they will read as matching multiples.
Picture

To all of you who still think "ugh" at the thought of throwing multiples, I say "keep practicing because you don't know what you're missing."

Good night, pots.
 
 
10 Comments
Korey Averill link
3/25/2014 01:19:14 pm

As usual, another incredibly useful blog post. And now I am off to find an old gooseneck lamp.

Reply
Lin Quinn
5/4/2014 12:34:56 am

Wow! New to your blog but an instant fan! And I'm also off to find a gooseneck lamp!! Thank you for sharing!!!!

Reply
Joseph
5/22/2014 02:04:18 pm

I love those little bowls, how much do they weigh when starting with a clay ball?

Also when throwing duplicates how do you get the inside of your bowls the same depth?

Reply
Bo
3/14/2018 04:31:58 am

Hi Mea, this is really helpful. I'm interested in the part where you say 'when throwing multiples, the only dimensions that matter are the height and width of the rim'. I know you must be right, but what about the base width, if you constantly can't get this at least roughly the same each time, then will the height and width of the rim be out? thanks Bo

Reply
Mea
3/15/2018 07:42:04 am

You are right, the base should be "at least roughly the same" in order to make the rims the same. My point was that the base doesn't need to be *exactly* the same.

Reply
Rebecca
3/15/2018 08:11:33 am

Thanks Mea, that is my current challenge - sets, so I really identified with your blog. Thanks for your reply, I really like your work. Onwards and upwards! Rebecca

Brenda
10/10/2020 05:04:18 pm

Very helpful, I'm curious if you need to move the guage to get the pot off the wheel - I throw on bats and am curious if this would work.

Reply
Mea
10/10/2020 05:08:28 pm

There is just enough room to slide the pot/batt out without moving the gauge.

Reply
Barbara Gilson
2/7/2021 09:56:50 am

I googled pottery measuring gage in a search to purchase. Your site popped up😉 I will give this a try,I too am concerned with making consistent foot size . Thank you for sharing your DYI!

Reply
Nancy lawrey
1/20/2023 12:15:07 pm

Thanks!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    author

    Mea Rhee (mee-uh ree),
    ​the potter behind
    ​Good Elephant Pottery


    upcoming shows

    2023 show schedule is TBD.

    join the herd

    Receive email notices about upcoming shows/events.


    Follow me on
    ​Facebook and
    Instagram

    RSS Feed


    categories

    All
    Classes
    In The Studio
    Running A Business
    Shows
    The Art Festival Plan
    The Hourly Earnings Project

    archives

    December 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.