How to make a PERFECT CLAY SLAB WITHOUT a roller

[@varinakosovich1283]

I have such an awful time trying to make slabs using a rolling pin or a slab roller and last night I tried this technique with great success! Thank you! The best slabs I've ever made!

[@gso7725]

Use guide rails.

[@johncrean5808]

Hi Jon, your a fit young man with big biceps and you make it look so easy. The rest of us , forget it!

[@retiredusn3701]

Great video! I have a big slab roller and use it all the time. Best money ever spent! I work large hand building projects, so need large expanses of rolled out clay. Too much strain on the body to do it by hand. But this is useful for smaller projects and for those who don't intend on working big.

[@ivonne2587]

What brand of slab roller do you have? I also work with big slabs and rolling them out by hand is literally killing mybhands

[@retiredusn3701]

@@ivonne2587 I bought it from Axner Pottery - I believe it was their brand....it looks exactly like the Shimpo roller on their website ($983). I paid $700 for it about 10 years ago.

[@StevenRhoads-ol4hq]

I couldn't believe this would work. It does and does well! Thank you, Jon!!!

[@maciejsimm2342]

i came by this video yesterday after work. Spent the next 4 hours slabbin' - so much fun! Great lesson.

[@visceratrocar]

Slabs are my favorite way to sculpt. Most sculptors prefer coilwork for larger pieces, but I've found a moderately stiff slab is MUCH easier to work with. If you let it dry enough it will hold its own weight better than coils because coils have to be done fresh. I HATE fresh clay. I don't do throwing, though, so that might be why :)

[@kleineoOoStern]

Really interesting ! Do you have a shop or else where we can see your work ? 😊

[@visceratrocar]

@@kleineoOoStern No, I don't have that kind of money. If I ever post pictures I'll send a link. It's really a private thing for me.

[@janetfayard672]

Damn! This rocks! I don't have a slab roller so this is perfect! Thanks for posting.

[@awesomedjman409]

Sorry, could you repeat that part about the roller, do we have to use it?

[@pogmofoil]

Yeah I’m not clear on that part. We do or do not need a roller?

[@wiros8101]

Was he not clear? Before starting any pottery project you must throw a roller multiple times to appease the pottery gods. If you have no rollers to sacrifice you might as well forget it.

[@LambentLark]

@@wiros8101 I think I love you.

[@thordefrance9430]

I dont feel confident if I infact need or dont need a roller

[@LottieLovesLemons]

This video is so awesome! I'd love to see more hand building videos in the future!

[@deborarinehart2120]

This is the method I was taught as well. I use this method more than my slab roller...unless I am doing a lot of slab building. I am new to your channel but have enjoyed the videos. Thank you! Keep doing what you're doing!

[@courtneydemmitt-rice737]

Does this method eliminate the need for wedging?

[@deborarinehart2120]

I still wedge the air bubbles out. But making even slabs is easy with this method.

[@courtneydemmitt-rice737]

@@deborarinehart2120 Thanks!

[@AbnormalArtsDOTcom]

Who'd a thought?? Great technique. I'm subscribing. I tried my pasta machine because I'm making thin pieces, however... with canvas on both sides of my clay, the pasta machine does not have a setting that would make my clay thick enough.. but it does make it super thin... lol. Hey Jon.. thanks again hun!

[@christinewitney88]

I wish KZbin had an ‘oh my wow’ button!

[@Lexi-kj1zk]

Who else enjoys opening a fresh bag of clay 🖐🏻

[@odidvious]

Slaps clay prefusly

[@zaviahopethomas-woundedsou9848]

You can throw large pieces of clay on a concrete floor and it works well. You just separate your feet and let the clay hit the ground about 16 - 24 inches from your feet and flow between your feet. It works well.

[@Jonthepotter]

Ooo, haven't tried that method, might have to!

[@howtocreatesculptures6713]

@@Jonthepotter yes Jon and it cleans the floor too as well as picks up all those discarded cigarette butts and weed roaches too lol i guess a little dirt in the mix wont make it blow when it goes into the kiln....well maybe not ... you should try it in rough gravel and see the cool textures that come up .: )

[@IpsosASI]

"You got me at slab" ;) Thanks, it's so easy, I love it!

[@katehill638]

Thanks! :)

[@almondduchess6636]

Thank you! This video is very useful for beginners like me.

[@desleykakoulidisgallaway3382]

That was great thanks 👍🏻never seen a slab done that way- beautiful plates 😍

[@JulieHiltbrunner]

My most recent video I made Tombo Sticks for measuring pottery... so you can repeat copies. This is really cool! I didn’t know this!

[@bryant4003]

You make it look so easy. I love it… I will try it next time!

[@rondacorkhill1654]

perfect explanation! No wedging necessary? Is that because as you throw it down, it likely compresses?

[@courtneydemmitt-rice737]

@Jonthepotter Do you not need to wedge the clay beforehand? Thanks, interesting technique!

[@clayslap2197]

Inspiring! From a fellow clay slapper.

[@lukewilson6132]

Hi Jon, I can't seem to get my slabs even. They're always thick in the middle and much thinner at the edges. Even if I trim the thin edges off it's still thicker in the very center. Any tips or tricks you think could help? Thanks!

[@salc348]

Hi...use two parallel flat sticks... and use the roller.

[@TheRakuman]

@@salc348 haha. The whole point of this video is to NOT use a roller.

[@mommonald224]

🤯 10/10 will try -thanks! (but wouldn’t that warp for plates?)

[@credmon3346]

Thank you that was very helpful, are usually use a couple of pieces of sticks in my rolling pin. I will try this

[@janmuylllaert4266]

stick some cloth on your pin with contact glue , the clay will act the same as it does on your table

[@carlosgaray9749]

What do you use for the work surface? A piece of drywall? If so is it covered with any thing? Thanks loved the video.

[@micheledickey4066]

Most tables are made of wood and then it is covered tightly with canvas fabric. The only problem with this is that the canvas creates a lot of dust which is very very harmful to your health.

[@RangerJeni]

You're so cool you make this look way easier than it is lmao

[@ScratchyFox21]

I love watching you, :) its so relaxing

[@saboblutdamon858]

This is helpful, im trying to make a mask and I needed a nice flat slab for the base of it

[@jeannettehoward7990]

I’ve rolled mine, and it has not turned out too well. Thanks!!

[@triciac1019]

Everything takes practice. Then one day you feel almost like a pro.

[@AtypicalPaul]

Is the canvas you use muslin fabric or a painting canvas?

[@enassatir1864]

Wow! I now realize the way I've been making slabs is ridiculous!

[@andram89]

Love this! I hate using the roller!!

[@phillipschmidtpottery]

Great video! That’s how I’ve done it too. Here’s my question though…do your slabs ever tear apart in the glaze firing? I seem to have a lot of slabs break in half I’m the glaze firing. Any help?

[@channelMEARC]

Do you put sand under them to reduce resistance / drag on the kiln shelf?

[@phillipschmidtpottery]

@@channelMEARCyes I do! I’m guessing it’sa fast firing or cool down issue. It’s a very small kiln and it’s probably too much stress that way.

[@freespiritartstudio]

thanks for the pro tips!

[@diginity44]

Great video how do you trim the plates? Or do you add clay for the foot?

[@Jonthepotter]

I used to add coils for the feet but now I don't even do that, I just keep the bottom flat and smooth it out with a sponge! We use them everyday at the coffeehouse so we break them frequently so I don't spend tooo much time on them:) Happy potting!

[@pogmofoil]

Jokes aside this is very informative. Thanks!

[@christophersoprano-sculptor]

⭐Thank you for sharing your techniques.⭐

[@OfficiallyCey]

Such a great video! Defo trying this

[@missyrnmissyrn7479]

So simple. Thanks for sharing

[@jasonwilliams6475]

Hey Jon great video! my question is how did you get the canvas to stick to the table? glue?

[@Suus2023]

You can staple it at the side or bottom

[@jacoetsebeth150]

Brilliant!!!

[@hankyknot]

Hey Jon, how do you get your canvas so tight on the table?

[@Jonthepotter]

Stapled to the underside, just like stretching a canvas for a painting only over a table instead!

[@veronicavichi6371]

@@Jonthepotter Hey Jon! What kind of table do you have? I'm an amateur potter and I'm looking into making my own little handbuilding studio at home. I'm trying to come up with the best equipment/supplies to get. You're videos are great!

[@IrinaGannota]

Jonthepotter Do you have to change it every time so that dry clay on the fabric wouldn’t mix with your fresh clay?

[@nycichi]

The table you are using is what kind of material? I don't want clay slab to stick on the table.

[@clover5923]

Thank you! That was really helpful!

[@gso7725]

Helpful???

[@clover5923]

@@gso7725 yep

[@laurapena4825]

Went you buy the arcilla?

[@ladymonstergirl]

So cool

[@maryellenrioux2494]

Super!

[@ivonne2587]

What is the name of the slab roller you showed that was attached to the table?

[@hotfordmomma]

This is awesome! Thank you!

[@gabitrandafir8396]

I'm having trouble understanding what slip is. Is it water and clay? Color and clay? Do you buy it premade or do you make it yourself ?

[@smartjecarina]

slip is water and clay.. usaly left over from trowing on a wheel but i put sometimes little bits of clay in a jar whit some water and vinigar ( sticks a lot better) .. leave this for a day or so.. shake as well and you can use this for glue for handbuilding. each clay has is own jar whit slip.

[@silvanobavia5579]

amazing videos

[@La_abbess]

Look out batwings here I come! I’m doing this😂

[@cynthiaollis4102]

Awesome!!!

[@debishaw9355]

What kind of clay do you use?

[@MERYEMUGUZKAPLANAHLATİ]

👏👏👏👏thank you...

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Superb...Thank you

[@slimshady8024]

also Like your style Bro

[@happygolucky1100]

Thanks

[@debishaw9355]

Yay... my kind of pottery

[@marylandj3228]

Do you make your clay?

[@joelcormier2519]

What kind of clay is that?

[@slimshady8024]

can i purchase mugs and if so price please thanks Jon

[@Jonthepotter]

Hey right now I have no extra inventory to sell, but I am working on an online store to hopefully sell and ship by the end of the summer, thanks !

[@AlvaSudden]

Can I have your slab roller, since you're not using it?

[@Jonthepotter]

Haha, I will probably sell it at some point actually if I don't end up using it.

[@La_abbess]

Can I borrow it when u get it? I pay with coffee🤣

[@seven6pro]

Thank you!!!

[@lisalovelylpa]

LoL cold turn that plate into a simple incense holder for stick incense, lots of area ti paint on.

[@drusillialeavel7533]

In the ancient time the baker used to do so for soften the dough!

[@angelas2825]

yayyyyyyyyyy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[@jackiemorrison6024]

Dont need to wedge it first??

[@Lyddiebits]

Before my slab roller, I did this lol!

[@iiannaii4725]

Uhm excuse me. Are you a wizard?

[@SjorsHoukes]

Great video, thanks! Could have done without the music though.

[@chasingthefish9042]

Bonsai pots!

[@MikeTheMaker1]

I could watch 30 min of that forwards and backwards throw.

[@La_abbess]

U are subscribed to ESPN I presume?

[@leela1104]

yeah a lot more fun :hahah ; )

[@ombrettalomanto8331]

Se facessi così nel giro di una settimana avrei le braccia spezzate.

[@JulieHiltbrunner]

New title: How to get Tasty 💪 Biceps

[@jeff5048]

Thanks for the lesson, but the music is super annoying! What if you put the music on the left channel, and your voice on the right channel, that way one of the other can be selected out.

[@eduardolloreda841]

Está bien la técnica.....pero me asustaron sus trabajos.... Al menos , si salen mal, nadie se da cuenta......👍

[@mozartpizza8287]

Not clickbait?!?!

[@lindsayroberts6709]

Let me know if you want to donate that slab roller to my High School classroom :)

[@ig7002]

Okay I am not strong enough for this. 😂

[@allin1window991]

Hey, what you want to make finally??. You won't need a rolling pin or supporting guide,tell us why the best ceramic studios in the world use this tool?

[@oranje2974]

loud audio

[@janmuylllaert4266]

so, why not use a roller anyway , just to make a video maybe?

[@JaimeEatsMusic]

Because some of us are minimalist/utilitarian/new and lacking some basic tools but eager to go anyway/have sore hands from rolling.

[@theclawless1225]

Seems a bit impractical. I was hoping for something I can do in my house without slamming my kitchen table.

[@ThePlantUtopia]

I am going to try it on the cement basement floor.

[@La_abbess]

You’ve done worse on that kitchen table- wink wink, nudge nudge🤣..get a work horse and an old door then, easy to store

[@howtocreatesculptures6713]

do it on the garage floor a little car grease and oil couldn't hurt too much lol

[@DJTony993]

Dude, great video but that music is ear cancer! It literally hurts to listen to with headphones on. Just offering that for what it's worth.

[@adigunawan6097]

Thanks