[docweathers]

On YouTube I've seen some demonstrations of chattering on freshly thrown soft clay. It is still soft enough that they can expand the body of the pot to stretch the pattern. I've tried this with no luck. Any suggestions on how to get chattering to work on soft clay would be appreciated.

Larry

[Brian Reed]

Old thread, I know, but I did recently make an instructional video on how I make my tools and use them. I am not great at making videos, but was asked to get this together for an article that I was asked to write.



Let me know what you think.

http://youtu.be/zkr8K-Rf2m8

[Natania Hume]

I know this thread is about trying to get the chattering effect, but I had just decided to post a question about avoiding it, although when used intentionally the effect is quite stunning on the examples posted here. I know that trimming pots that are a bit too dry does it, but I am wondering if using dull tools add to this " problem?

[yedrow]

In my experience sharp tools are more likely to cause chattering.

Joel.

[docweathers]

Sometime ago I found these two YouTube videos of the guy doing great chattering on soft clay. Chattering technique on flat form - pottery surface texture http://www.youtube.c...h?v=5UNse35898A


When I could not make it work very well I wrote him. below I've inserted the essence of our email exchange.


The common wisdom is that you do chattering someplace beyond leather hard. Obviously, from your YouTube videos "Chattering Surface Texture Technique on Tall Forms - Potter's Wheel Demo" and "Chattering technique on flat form - pottery surface texture ". You make it work quite spectacularly with freshly thrown soft clay. I have tried to emulate your chattering of soft clay, with no luck.

What's the secret to making chattering work on soft clay.

---------

The "knobs" are:

1) Wheel speed
2) Pressure of spring metal on clay
3) Resistance of clay (how soft or hard)
4) Length of vibrating spring metal measured from point of contact with the clay to where it is held.

With he above variables, the frequency or wave length is set and the most difficult part is to start the vibration. Play with all variables until you feel slight vibration. When you sense the first tiny vibration, release the pressure a bit until the vibrations is amplified and the sound gets louder and louder.


---------

I think the key is in his last sentence. I still can't get it to work all the time but occasionally I have had some pretty good luck.


Larry