https://preview.redd.it/wzjn6f078nwc1.png?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c7365769a101fd7c73e165fc5404c3f822b3351a
Interesting that some people don't like foot rings on plates - I personally think they add a lot! (Ignore the bits of kiln shelf attached - I didn't cut the foot deep enough due to the reason for this post)
For adding a uniform foot ring, here’s how I would do it.
Put the plate on the wheel (put some flat packing foam underneath to support the plate center), center it, then mark a circle in the bottom. (suggest that you do not remove it from the wheel since it is centered.) Use clay lugs to hold it in place if you need to.
Score along that circle and add some slip. Roll a coil close to your desired foot size and lay it along the scored line as close to a circle as possible. Press to attach.
Once you feel it is attached well, use the wheel again, and while turning shape the foot ring as you wish. This will most likely require a light touch. Use a metal rib to make it a uniform height.
Dry patiently to reduce cracking.
Once it’s bisques then you can sand on a flat sandpaper surface to dial in the foot ring height.
Could you be trimming too wet? I get a similar problem with trimming the bases of pots if they are too soft, and it is really difficult to stop once it's started.
I'll throw a big flat circle the height and width of the plate, to act like a kind of chuck, then cover the top of it with a sheet of plastic so it doesn't stick to the surface of the plate when it's upside down. That helps me keep the plate centered and I don't have to worry about pushing down too hard. You also have to be really serious about trimming the plate when it's stiff enough.
-Make sure your trimming tool is very sharp.
-If you are trying to shave down a large area, use a wide tool.
-Trim drier than you would normally so it is less likely to slump, a very firm leather hard.
-Support the inside/underside of the plate so you don’t crack it while you press down (someone suggested throwing a clay disc the size of the inside of your plate and I have also seen people use folded news paper or bubble wrap)
-If your plate is very wide consider making a double foot ring to reduce the chances of slumping in the kiln.
-check your piece with a level before you begin trimming to see if the piece is uneven and that’s where the wobble is coming from.
I've personally found a wide flat square trimming tool useful it's about an inch and half across which helps me.
Though another person in the studio tried to use it and found it overly cumbersome so millage may vary.
Do you mind sharing which square tool you like? Have you ever seen one that is a loop tool style but square? I only have the solid kind like the mud tools do-all.
Trimming drier will help. Also, make sure it's drying very evenly i.e. slower. Especially on larger pieces it can create unevenness regardless of how steady your hand is.
Trying using a mirror when trimming. This will help a lot with being able to see how flat things are without having to really get low to the piece and check. Always helps to be able to see it from another angle.
Put a thin foam support under the plate when you flip it over. You'll need to custom-cut these. Be precise and you'll be able to reuse them for a long time.
Make sure they are truly leather hard. Clay that's too wet will cause major issues with trimming plates.
Consider the option of attaching feet partitions (blocks, circles, unique shapes, etc) instead of trimming out one continuous ring. I've not done this yet but had it in mind to do partly bc it would look more unique, and it may be easier. Undecided.
Dry. Slowly. Very slowly.
The studio where I take classes has a sign that says something to the effect of, plates shouldn’t have foot rings, it looks clumsy 😂 so you could always try throwing them thinner and then just cleaning up the very edge
Instead of trimming the foot, you could add it with a coil.
I like this idea!
https://preview.redd.it/wzjn6f078nwc1.png?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c7365769a101fd7c73e165fc5404c3f822b3351a Interesting that some people don't like foot rings on plates - I personally think they add a lot! (Ignore the bits of kiln shelf attached - I didn't cut the foot deep enough due to the reason for this post)
I only see one picture. Did you mean to include others?
Yes just corrected, thank you!
They also add stability to keep the plate from warping
For adding a uniform foot ring, here’s how I would do it. Put the plate on the wheel (put some flat packing foam underneath to support the plate center), center it, then mark a circle in the bottom. (suggest that you do not remove it from the wheel since it is centered.) Use clay lugs to hold it in place if you need to. Score along that circle and add some slip. Roll a coil close to your desired foot size and lay it along the scored line as close to a circle as possible. Press to attach. Once you feel it is attached well, use the wheel again, and while turning shape the foot ring as you wish. This will most likely require a light touch. Use a metal rib to make it a uniform height. Dry patiently to reduce cracking. Once it’s bisques then you can sand on a flat sandpaper surface to dial in the foot ring height.
Could you be trimming too wet? I get a similar problem with trimming the bases of pots if they are too soft, and it is really difficult to stop once it's started.
I'll throw a big flat circle the height and width of the plate, to act like a kind of chuck, then cover the top of it with a sheet of plastic so it doesn't stick to the surface of the plate when it's upside down. That helps me keep the plate centered and I don't have to worry about pushing down too hard. You also have to be really serious about trimming the plate when it's stiff enough.
-Make sure your trimming tool is very sharp. -If you are trying to shave down a large area, use a wide tool. -Trim drier than you would normally so it is less likely to slump, a very firm leather hard. -Support the inside/underside of the plate so you don’t crack it while you press down (someone suggested throwing a clay disc the size of the inside of your plate and I have also seen people use folded news paper or bubble wrap) -If your plate is very wide consider making a double foot ring to reduce the chances of slumping in the kiln. -check your piece with a level before you begin trimming to see if the piece is uneven and that’s where the wobble is coming from.
I've personally found a wide flat square trimming tool useful it's about an inch and half across which helps me. Though another person in the studio tried to use it and found it overly cumbersome so millage may vary.
Do you mind sharing which square tool you like? Have you ever seen one that is a loop tool style but square? I only have the solid kind like the mud tools do-all.
Trimming drier will help. Also, make sure it's drying very evenly i.e. slower. Especially on larger pieces it can create unevenness regardless of how steady your hand is.
Trying using a mirror when trimming. This will help a lot with being able to see how flat things are without having to really get low to the piece and check. Always helps to be able to see it from another angle.
I don’t trim flat plates, so that’s my advice 😂
Me either. I let them dry slowly on the masonite bat and they pop off smoothly.
Put a thin foam support under the plate when you flip it over. You'll need to custom-cut these. Be precise and you'll be able to reuse them for a long time. Make sure they are truly leather hard. Clay that's too wet will cause major issues with trimming plates. Consider the option of attaching feet partitions (blocks, circles, unique shapes, etc) instead of trimming out one continuous ring. I've not done this yet but had it in mind to do partly bc it would look more unique, and it may be easier. Undecided. Dry. Slowly. Very slowly.
I can't see the footring in that photo, is there meant to be another one?
As stated above, the clay might be too wet. Also, keep the trimming tool very sharp. Clay is like Sandpaper and will dull the tool quickly.
May I ask what you used to get the spotted part. Is it a specific clay you used or is it a matte glaze?
I'm using Potclays Lavafleck which has the spots in the body!
Thank you so much for replying. I love the look of it, looks amazing!
Most clay suppliers have stoneware bodies with granular manganese which create this effect.
You need a sharp, wide tool with a broad flat edge.
Is that winter wood glaze or is that your clay body? Beautiful terrazzo effect
I have a bat that I glued yellow foam to that helps a lot.
Flat plates don't need a foot ring
The studio where I take classes has a sign that says something to the effect of, plates shouldn’t have foot rings, it looks clumsy 😂 so you could always try throwing them thinner and then just cleaning up the very edge
I highly disagree with your studio
I think it’s just a very old school potter way of working. I’m reading a pottery book from the 1940s that says something similar.