Topic outline

  • Introduction

    • Centering the clay is the cornerstone of throwing on the wheel. It's the process that must be done before any pot can be formed, and the aim of this tutorial is to go over that process in exact detail, alongside discussing many of the tips and tricks learned over the years.

◄Step 3: Attaching the Clay
►Step 5: Arm Positioning and Initial Centering

  • Step 4: Placing and Adjusting the Clay

    • 4.1
      Use the rings that most wheel heads have in order to tell if the lump of clay is in the middle. As you spin the wheel, you'll notice that the lump of clay will probably have a larger gap on one side as compared to the other.

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    • 4.2
      Push the clay away from where it's closest to the line until the gap between the clay and the line is more or less the same all the way around. At this point, you can even pat the lump of clay into shape a bit to get it as centered as possible beforeyou begin to add water to it and begin the process properly.

    • 4.3
      Initially attaching it very firmly is crucial, though, and what you don't want to do is slam it down onto a surface that's already quite wet, as the lump of clay just won't stick to it properly. Ideally, you want a dry wheel head and a dry lump of clay; otherwise, the lump will just fling itself off.

    • 4.4
      The first step is to clean the wheel head. Sponge away the excess clay and then dry the metal off with a towel. Take the lump of clay and scrape away all the wet slip on the bottom of it, and then slam this drier, tackier area onto the metal.


    • 4.5
      There is an exception to this rule, and that's when you're throwing on a slightly porous surface, such as MDF wood. In this instance, it helps the piece of clay stick if you dampen the surface.

◄Step 3: Attaching the Clay
►Step 5: Arm Positioning and Initial Centering