Pottery. Mechanical and electric pottery wheels

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The oldest clay products were quite rugged and molded by hand without additional tools. But with the advent of the potter’s wheel, humanity reached a qualitatively new level: so the craft was born.

The potter’s wheel – is the first mechanism invented by humans. It is believed that it appeared in Mesopotamia in the IV millennium BC. Surprisingly, its main elements – two circles connected by an axis – have not changed during 6 millennia. This is the most affordable time machine that takes you back in time to a time when people were just beginning to learn how to turn pieces of clay into exquisite thin-walled products with a new tool.

The first pottery wheel was hand-made, so the oldest potters had to turn a heavy circle with one hand and form a product with the other. Later, a foot circle was invented, which freed both hands for work, which allowed to make more complex and beautiful things. Then an electric motor was installed on the potter’s wheel. However, electric pottery wheels could not completely displace mechanical ones, so nowadays both types are used.

Mechanical pottery wheel

It consists of a vertical shaft, on which is mounted a flat round head (faceplate), and below – the flywheel, which is actuated by the feet.

Advantages:

  • almost eternal;
  • does not require additional maintenance and repair costs;
  • can rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise, which is convenient if you are a lefthander;
  • has a special authenticity, gives a sense of belonging to the ancient craft.

Disadvantages:

  • quite heavy and inconvenient for transportation;
  • with regular professional use can cause problems with the knee joints.

Electric pottery wheel

There are three types: friction drive, reducer and direct drive. Pottery wheel with direct drive is the lightest, quietest and most efficient.

Advantages:

  • lighter and smaller in size, easier to transport;
  • has a speed switch;
  • provides faster product molding process.

Disadvantages:

  • some species are quite noisy;
  • depends on the source of electricity;
  • beginners often find it difficult to choose the right speed.

Working with a clay is a special creative process that requires maximum concentration, but at the same time generously rewards you for every minute of work. It allows you to distract from problems and difficult thoughts, leave everything superfluous in a circle and enjoy the process of creation. Also as a result you get not abstract products of labor in pixels and kilobytes, but real «living» things that you can use every day. Lihtaryk Art Studio invites you to our individual and group master classes in pottery, as well as a pottery course, where you will not only relax, learn a lot and join the oldest craft, but also make your own unique products under the guidance of an experienced master.

So now you know at least one of the best things to do in Kyiv.

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