Reading this page will help you learn new terms for ceramic tools.
You can understand their meaning used in context with images to help.
After learning about Handbuilding/Throwing/Turning Tools play the Memory Game to connect the Tools to their name/description.
After learning about Glazing and Firing tools play the Matching Game to match the Glazing and Firing tools to their definition.
This will help you assess your understanding of these new terms.
You can understand their meaning used in context with images to help.
After learning about Handbuilding/Throwing/Turning Tools play the Memory Game to connect the Tools to their name/description.
After learning about Glazing and Firing tools play the Matching Game to match the Glazing and Firing tools to their definition.
This will help you assess your understanding of these new terms.
It is important to understand what different tools are used for, but also to have a selection which suits your needs. Ceramicists often add to their tool collection with things that are not tools, e.g. a button may make a good stamp
Health and Safety
Aprons are worn while making to keep dust and clay/glaze/plaster off clothes. Clay Glaze and plaster areas are usually kept separate to avoid contamination.
Masks are used when making moulds, fettling, sanding , mixing glaze, glazing, using lustres, using silica sand, some combustible firing, and cleaning up.
Surfaces should be cleaned with a damp cloth, floors should be mopped, to avoid spreading dust in the air and breathing it in.
Do not underestimate the importance of looking after your lungs, long term effects can be serious https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/silicosis/
Glaze shards can be sharp, caution should be used to protect fingers when there may be a sharp edge
Masks are used when making moulds, fettling, sanding , mixing glaze, glazing, using lustres, using silica sand, some combustible firing, and cleaning up.
Surfaces should be cleaned with a damp cloth, floors should be mopped, to avoid spreading dust in the air and breathing it in.
Do not underestimate the importance of looking after your lungs, long term effects can be serious https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/silicosis/
Glaze shards can be sharp, caution should be used to protect fingers when there may be a sharp edge
Handbuilding/Throwing/Turning Tools
Needle Tool / Potter's Pin
Mostly used to determine the thickness of base when throwing and to trim the lip of a pot when throwing becomes uneven, also for adding a hole for air to escape a closed form when firing |
Sponge
Used to add water when throwing, and smooth clay surface Sponge Stipplers/dabbers are used for decorating Sponge on a stick are used to remove excess water when throwing |
Shammy
Scraps of Chamois Leather (or synthetic alternative) used between fingers to smooth and compress the rim of a thrown vessel while throwing. |
Rolling Pin
Used for rolling out slabs of clay. Wooden batons can be used under each end of the rolling pin , or cylindrical discs can be added to the ends of the rolling pin, to achieve an even thickness. |
Ruler
Used for Templates and measuring when making. Shrinkage rulers can also be used to work out how much larger to make things so they shrink to the right size when fired |
Hole cutting Tool
Allows for clean circles to be cut without tearing the clay |
Right Angle Turning Tools
Some turning tools (above) have a bent neck Stem turning tools have a shaped head on a stem Both can have rectangular heads, triangular heads, circular heads and peardrop shapes heads, They turn/trim excess clay from a pot. |
Texture Tools / Stamps
Detail needs to be mirrored - see letters are backward, and will be raised on the clay surface . Both raised and indented patterns can be pressed into clay |
Bevel Tool
Used to make cutting clay at a set angle for joining |
Wooden Rib (non flexible)
Used as a throwing rib, also for trimming clay and handbuilding, used to shape and smooth clay |
Metal Rib/ Scraper
( Various thicknesses for more/less flexibility) Used for smoothing/scraping surface, caution Sharp edges. |
Rubber Kidney
Used as a throwing rib, also used for shaping and smoothing clay/ pressing clay into press moulds, or in applying decals. |
Pottery Wheel
Used to throw and turn vessels |
Comb tools
Metal/plastic/wood tool used to scratch through coloured slip to show clay colour underneath Actual combs can be used |
Calipers
Used to measure internal and external measurements , mostly for correct measurements of lids , or when joining separately thrown sections |
Play this Memory Game to connect the Handbuilding/Throwing/Turning Tools to their name/description
https://www.educaplay.com/learning-resources/6328543-ceramic_tools.html
https://www.educaplay.com/learning-resources/6328543-ceramic_tools.html
Glazing
Hake Brush
Oriental wash brush, holds large amount of glaze, soft bristles give less texture |
Lawn brush,
can be used to sieve glazes, rubber kidneys can also be used |
Sieve
Screens to remove larger than desired particles from slurry or dry materials. The higher the mesh number, the finer the screen. Most pottery glazes should be screened to 100 or 120 mesh. |
Scales
Used to measure ingredients for glaze/ amounts of clay when throwing specific weights / plaster when making plaster moulds. Large scales are used for larger measurements. Small scales are used for accurate measurement of very small amounts of glaze powder in grams |
Tongs
Used to hold ceramic while dipping/pouring glaze (glazing tongs), or when taking hot ceramic out of kiln (raku tongs) |
Firing
Kiln
Pictured is a gas kiln mid firing |
|
Stilts
Pictured left is a hand made stilt of grogged clay and nichrome wire (which wont melt at high temperatures), typically stilts are white with three legs and pointed tips that prop up the work. Used when firing, often used when base has glaze on and cannot sit directly on kiln shelf Biscuits (Flat pieces of fired ceramic) under work also protects kiln shelves from runny glazes |
Silica Sand
Sometimes used underneath pots with runny glazes, or under large pieces where shrinkage could cause cracks, to enable some movement. Silica can be breathed in so it is important to wear a mask. After using, sieve the sand to remove any drips of glaze, and return to a container for its next use, and hoover the kiln. Caution drops of glaze may have sharp edges. |
Saggar
A container to wrap pieces ,normally in combustible material. Saggars can be clay boxes, aluminium foil, or newspaper. |
Safety goggles
Green tinted , protects eyes when looking at cones in kiln |
Gloves
Leather gauntlets , heat resistant to enable short term holding of hot ceramics |
Grinding Tools
Avoiding sharp edges is easier than grinding them afterwards, but where necessary sandpaper, a Carborundum Abrasive Stone or a Dremel can smooth sharp points |
Play this Matching Game to match the Glazing and Firing tools to their definition
https://www.educaplay.com/learning-resources/6326832-ceramic_tools.html
You can test your knowledge further on the Quiz page, but make sure you go to the other pages first to learn some more new vocabulary.
https://www.educaplay.com/learning-resources/6326832-ceramic_tools.html
You can test your knowledge further on the Quiz page, but make sure you go to the other pages first to learn some more new vocabulary.
Studio Equipment
You may hear mention of some of these terms in studio settings, where larger amounts of clay are used
Pugmill - Aids reclamation of unfired clay
Blunger - Mixes clay and water to make slip
Slab roller - Rolls out large slabs of clay in uniform thickness
Extruder - Extrudes long lengths of clay usually circular coils, but different dies are used to produce non circular coils
Spray Booth and spray gun - Used to Spray glaze, and safely capture glaze that misses the piece
Sedimentation Tank - Used under a sink to allow separation of clay/glaze sediment from water to avoid blocked pipes and aid in proper disposal.