Learn how to Tap Center on the pottery wheel

[@joshs5313]

Amazing demo. I have watched a dozen videos on tap centering and this is the ONLY one that I actually understand.

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

I hope it works for you. I tried to explain it in a different way than how it is normally taught. So glad you liked the video.

[@jeanetteporter7471]

Love the arrow thing it really helped conceptualize what you were doing.

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

Thank you. I love the arrow thing as well. It is still hanging out in my ceramics studio.

[@robertine.atelier]

Thank you for sharing !

[@Lyddiebits]

MANY THANKS John!! We've only been potting for 2 years and I tried to tap center for months...well, about one year into it, we got a Griffin Grip:) I had it in my mind that I would never be able to tap center. I just tried, after your vid and some advice from Blake. I grabbed a soup can and a can of SPAM, I centered them both! 🤯 I had learned tap centering completely wrong. I was tapping not ONLY when the pot would pass. I didn't keep my left arm anchored, like I do when I throw. Everything makes so much more sense! Even as I sat down 10 mins ago to try this, I went back to my first experience with tapping..which was tapping all over the place🤣🤣. Oh I can't wait to share this gem with my husband!!!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

I am so glad it was helpful. It is so much fun once you get tap centering.

[@peggybenton184]

You’re awesome! I will try tap centering again. I have a lot of trouble centering for trimming but I can center pretty quick when I throw. It takes me forever to center for trimming and it feels like such a waste of time. I love the idea of tapping a chuck for practice. Thank you so much!!!

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

Thank you for your kind words. I hope you learn how to tap center quickly.

[@kathleenfreeman1696]

Thank you, your demonstration is the most useful centering tutorial I have ever found.

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

Thank you! Tap centering is so much fun once you get the hang of it.

[@merrileefrable]

Thank you! I watched another video on tap centering and they used the stabby stab technique and it just wasn't working for me. I was looking up the Griffin Grip and the price made me think...hmm... maybe I should shop around for more tap centering advice. This video helped me nail it - swiping in from the side moving with the pot rather than stabbing at it. Gosh, it felt SO good to get that first piece centered right after watching your video! Thank you for making my day!!!

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

Yes, it is such a great skill to learn. It makes trimming so much fun!

[@lindatortorice9356]

Best centering lesson ever. Thank you.

[@chingwu5875]

I just recently discover your channel. Thank you so much for all your hard work and sharing. I am new in ceramic and found so much truly helpful informations. Thank you.

[@linzajchowski1803]

This is the best video and explanation ever! Haven't seen any new videos. Hope we will see more from you soon.

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

Glad you liked it!

[@embee7434]

Centering for trimming is one of the most frustrating things for me! I'm hoping this technique will be very helpful. Thank you posting it!

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

You got this!

[@popostylz]

It took me like 10min to center a piece recently using the classic technique and I knew there HAD to be a better way. Can't wait to practice this!

[@ericleclercq287]

This video is loaded with practical tips. We can see you really know what you are speaking about ! Thank you very much.

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gissellcures]

I have just start throwing and I’m totally obsessed. (Completely new!!) And of course I wanted to learn how to tap center…. Saw this video and I just say WOOOOW!!!! OMG I JUST TAP CENTERED EVERYTHING I found at home🤩🙌🏼 THANK you sooo much for this video!!

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

Welcome!! Tap centering is such a great way to center before you trim.

[@edelgyn2699]

I love your enthusiasm Gissell, wishing you many happy years throwing!

[@padicivello6641]

Thank you, great demo. I feel better about trying to learn this technique.

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

Go for it!

[@thepottereden]

Wow! Awesome demo! Been wanting to teach myself how to tap center!!! Ive always been so nervous because Ive ruined pieces trying in my early years! Going to have to try your technique with the follow through! I will be making a video on my channel about this for sure and ill take you up on your challenge!

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

That is great. I would love to see how your tap centering goes. Post your link here when your video is ready.

[@thepottereden]

@@JohnHasegawaCeramics I definitely will! Thanks so much for checking out my channel as well! It might be a while from now, got a lot in the works, but i will comment the vid here when its up!

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

Your videos are great. Sub!

[@thepottereden]

@@JohnHasegawaCeramics that literally made my whole week!!! I got the email and screamed, WHAT!?!?!

[@judgetoogood1033]

Thank you. 😊😊😊

[@jenrose4258]

Thank you!! I finally learned to tap center!!

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

You're welcome!!

[@megangass5316]

I have been trying to get this figured out and this makes so much sense.

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

Give it a try and keep practicing. It is so great once you get it.

[@migzz7976]

Simple enough technique hard to master, thanks for elaborating on the subject...good video!

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lisapeck2594]

Fantastic demonstration of tap centering! Can’t wait to try this, myself. Thank you!

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DeborahHatanaka]

Great tips John, thanks so much!

[@BendviewFarm-dq4sp]

Thank you! I’m definitely going to keep trying! I think I was trying to stab at it too much. Will try your technique. It makes sense. ☺️

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

You can do it!

[@jmreinke]

Excellent explanation and great examples! After trying with my left hand as you described (even though I'm right-handed), I can now get various items close to centered with just a few taps. I'll continue to work on it! Choosing the right wheel speed (slow, but not too slow) and training my eyes on the edge of the item around 8 o'clock for (for my left hand) seems to have helped me the most. An important (and should be obvious) tip for new potters: either remove the bat pins, or put a bat on the wheel before attempting to center for trimming. I've only been doing pottery for a few weeks now, and I ruined one of my first pieces when I tried to center it for trimming and turned the wheel on too fast. My bowl skidded across the bat pins multiple times which took several chunks out of it. Lesson learned. ;-)

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

Yes, bat pins can be a problem. I am so glad you have learned how to tap center. It is such a joy to center that way.

[@saharmaqsoodi1780]

Thank you so helpful 🙏

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

You are welcome!

[@danielajohnson177]

Great demonstration, thanks!!!!

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

You are welcome!

[@coddiwomplearts8747]

Great tutorials! Thanks for having the different angle shots. It really helps. When learning something new I watch a few different videos, but yours will be my first 'go to' :) So well explained!

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@isaiahkoranda9533]

The Left-Hand vs Right-Hand was not something I had ever thought about with this. I think that may be my issue! Great content and thanks!

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

Thanks for watching!

[@triciac1019]

Wow, thank you for this video! It helped to have the arrows on the pots for me to understand. I will definitely be learning this when I go back to the studio.

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sharonchrisman]

Excellent demo! Your videos are fantastic! Thank you for sharing!

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

Thanks for watching!

[@alexandracarter1408]

omg, I was doing it the completely opposite way (jabbing at it from the right side)s...which would make the pot skitter around at worst and never quite center at best. 🙃 Thank you! I'll give it some more practice and see what I come up with.

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

Tap centering is such a good skill to know. It is kind of like riding a bike. It is difficult to explain but once you get it you got it.

[@Natalieleu]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you 😃

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

You're welcome 😊

[@Atliermia]

Compressed plate bottom to avoid cracking..any suggestion, do I need to do, inside and outside of plate ？ May be both？

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

I compress when I am throwing the plate but not much when I am trimming. I have a video about throwing plates and you can see me compressing the bottom at about the 20 minute mark. See this link for the video, I go through the whole process of making. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGXKgpeCi7qGhLc I also trimmed the plate in this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZWyeHuOa5Vle6s

[@ArtWheelSD]

do you always tap on the left only? I think you always throw on the right side between 3 o'clock and 6 o'clock correct? I wish you would do show taps from really close but not quite. I really appreciate your explanations

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

I always tap the way I show in the video. I did do a few taps with my right hand just to show people how that would work.

[@blakeclewis]

Almost everytime I set down at the wheel I drop a coffee can with some clay in it onto the wheel and tap center it a couple of times. I also do the same after I clean up the wheel from throwing. Keep practicing.

[@Lyddiebits]

I really don't understand what you're explaining 😅 what does the coffee can have to do with the pot you wil be trimming???

[@blakeclewis]

@@Lyddiebits practicing tap centering on a pot, you will end up destroying pots, so I practice on a non-pot.

[@blakeclewis]

Most people do not learn to tap center in one sitting.

[@Lyddiebits]

@@blakeclewis oh duh. I'm so sorry, I totally get that now!! What a fabulous idea:) Thank you for taking the time to respond 💕

[@Lyddiebits]

@@blakeclewis I'm actually needing to trim my pots! I'm a cheater who has a Griffin Grip:) BUT, I'm gonna grab a soup can and try it because I'd really be happy with tap centering. Thanks again!

[@jackiemorrison2661]

I struggle with this...

[@JohnHasegawaCeramics]

Yes, it is tricky to master and difficult to explain what is really happening. You will love doing it once you get the hang of it.