Tapping to center

I don't know what hapen with the link, here it is again:

Don't know why google groups change some letters on the URL into periods.

Here is a link to the video using TINYURL links:

There are lots of options, I do not tap to centre I just gently move the pot, feel with my finger extended where it is too close and stop the wheel and move it gently in the appropriate direction. Tapping might work well, but it is not entirely necessary. The other method I use :o) is a griffin grip, does the centring for you. I cannot use the griffin grip when turning porcelain though, it damages the rim too much.

One last try:

Gotcha video this time. Did you notice that the lines on the wheel head easily marked where centre was. You could have done it by sight :o)

That wheelhead is made out of iron, it'd stain brown with oxide any clay or pot placed right over it, have to use a bat.

OK so to help with the centring get an indelible pen and mark circles on a good bat at about one inch apart. Then you will have those to help with the centering for turning. Best to always make things easier for yourself. By the way your tapping seemed to work fine, I was just pointing out that you don't have to stress about tapping, there are plenty of ways to accomplise a well centered pot for turning.

I use bats too - I have used a pencil in the past to mark the concentric circles - works just fine and certainly makes life a lot easier. JM

Never could get the hang of this tapping malarkey... Loooks sooo cool when real potters do it, but i always find by eye and then running finger and moving it to centre, takes a little longer, doesn't look anywhere near as cool, but i can DO it and it works for me (even on those 75 pots per day daze) Good Luck Muchly Hugs Eddie

Me neither, so I bought myself a Giffin Grip:

Marianne

Wow that is expensive! Given how easy centering is (without the tapping which has never tempted me since centering is so easy) I could never justify the cost (I'm cheap I guess - I even love using old credit cards for tools). It does look cute though - I have used one on occasion in studios but never been tempted to buy. Now I'm glad it never captured me.

I was just starting out on the wheel and my teacher had one. Told hubby about it, and he thought the cost was worth it. Here in Switzerland, I think it is not (comparatively) so expensive.

What with "coping" with centering the clay just to get a decent piece, recentering it for turning wasn't tempting, and, as I have a darling husband who is very glad I have found a passion, we bought it, and I have never regretted it. Things are seriously centered in seconds and you don't have all the mess of the clay dabs and such.

Marianne