My Pottery Wheel Setup - Tips and Tricks

My pottery wheel setup in the topic of this video. I'll be chatting about the tools I use, the why's and how's, and just general, good throwing practice and ways of keeping a ceramics studio clean, tidy and dust free! Thanks for watching - and as always, let me know what you think in the comments.
📏 • Darren Ellis' throwing gauge's can be found here: www.darrenellispottery.com/sho...
⏱ • Timecodes:
0:00 - Introduction
0:15 - A list of useful throwing equipment...
1:22 - Pottery wheel opinions
2:12 - Chatting about my Rohde HMT 500
3:10 - Throwing gauge
4:05 - Mirror
4:45 - Water
5:47 - How I keep my workbench clean
6:09 - Pedal chat
6:33 - How I make reclaim easy for myself
7:53 - How to minimise dust
8:28 - Ware board discussion
9:29 - Usefulness of a heat-gun, hairdryer or gas torch
10:17 - How to store weighed out and wedged clay
10:41 - CLEANING
13:12 - The final step
⚱️• HOW TO RECLAIM CLAY: • How I Recycle my Stone...
📖 • PRE-ORDER MY BOOK: geni.us/bymyhands
🌫 • YSP EXHIBITION INFORMATION: ysp.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitio...
🏺 • If you want to learn how to throw a pot, you might like my 'A Beginner's Guide' series: • How to Throw a Pot - A...
📢 • Find out much more about my work here: linktr.ee/floriangadsby
*It's worth noting! That you won't get the same results as I do if you're firing in oxidation. The reduction firing really helps with this process.
*I throw using both a Rohde HMT 500 & 600 potter's wheel and fire using Rohde kilns too, the electric is a TE-200 and the gas kiln is a KG-340.
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Instagram - / floriangadsby
TikTok - / floriangadsby
Website - www.floriangadsby.com

[@carolynpearce4829]

I laughed when you mentioned using warm water. Sometimes I ask my students to put more water in their bucket and it is a shock when they put cold water in. The classes are six weeks long and usually the third week they throw on the wheel. To make sure everyone leaves with a bowl they can use for the rest of their life, I am hopping from wheel to wheel. I tell the kids to just say “Thank you” when someone says “Wow, you made that?”

[@sarahisabella1745]

I sometimes boil water to fill up the cold one when I throw and my fingers get stiff immediately 😅. But other than that my water is always cold because I don’t have running water

[@StudioTerrafemina]

@@sarahisabella1745 I use a fish tank heater. One for my throwing bucket and one for my wash up bucket. Run and get one (or two) right away my Friend! Though I have running water I use buckets rather than risk drain issues and well, frankly I like to save money and time so do no not have a system for drainage.

[@pillowmcblanketson6909]

in one of the first pottery classes i ever took when i did my first arts course, the instructor told us to always keep the clay cold and to always use cold water and ive blindly followed that advice for the past few years, even during the freezing winters! learnt something new today :)

[@StudioTerrafemina]

@@pillowmcblanketson6909 Ahhh - comfort at last, huh?! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cold Hands Be Gone

[@Enn-]

Years ago I bought a bag of the smallest fishing bobbers I could find. They're brightly coloured and have a spring loaded clip that easily grabs a folded corner of a chamois, forever keeping it both visible and afloat in a muddy bucket of throwing water. I shared them with everyone in the studio, so that reclaim would no longer have lost chamois in it.

[@jenniferrackley249]

So wonderful, Florian! My father was a mechanical engineer. He was extremely organized, logical, and could easily break processes down to smaller enumerated steps. You also have this quality, which makes you an AMAZINGLY HELPFUL TEACHER. I find many creative artists lack that ability. You have both-creativity and an ability to relay information logically and clearly. What a gift!!!!

[@zoeprimrose2309]

Amen, amen, AMEN!

[@kkirsch3583]

Thank you for sharing Florian! I like your setup very much! I’m a semi-retired veterinarian and cleanliness in my surgery, my exam rooms, pharmacy, kitchen and pottery shed are of paramount importance. I take vicarious pleasure in watching you clean up in your outros 😊

[@SnowAppleStudios]

Warm throwing water is most very and extremely important in my world. I use a submersible fish tank heater to keep my water warm during Winter. I use a fine mist spray prior to moving plastic coverings to keep dust down- particles My Shimpos have been work-horse-ing alongside me for nearly three decades now. Yet another great video Mr G. Cheers from Northern most BC Canada - the land where boogers freeze.

[@xbaczewska4197]

Not sure if I mentioned this already, but have been wanting to try your mirror technique for a while. I do ceramics in a class situation, so I thought it would be inappropriate to bring something else into the very small space. But one of my teachers actually suggested using a mirror!! he told me he had been watching Florian Gadsby videos! I must say, the mirror was a revelation. I feel like my throwing is 50% better just by the ability to see the side of the pot as I am throwing. Thanks so much, once again.

[@si.ceramica]

Florian, I admire you as a potter, as a creator, as a communicator, and in each and every possible way a potter could be admired. It's really your way of thinking, and sharing this thought process with us, in every corners of the world, that makes you different. Thank you so much for being so generous with your knowledge, it means a lot for us learning the craft!

[@HenriBardot]

Our first pottery wheel arrives Tuesday so this video could not be coming at a better time! So many great tips. Thank you!

[@hugolepine9819]

Thanks for your generosity Florian, it’s really appreciated.

[@CosmicMomentumX]

You've been an inspiration for me. My friend and I have taken an interest in making stoneware for our family and friends. Thank you for sharing your hard work, and helping us along the way.

[@devanzummallen5677]

One day I would love to own my own Pottery wheel, I do have enough experience after a year from taking Ceramics in Highschool that I still remember the ways how pottery was made. Also, a very nice setup that you have, simple but he gets the job done, not really much need for anything advanced. When I was in ceramics, I would always have a water bucket that would be used for the water, but also for clay disposing too. Right after I'd finish my pottery, I would leave it on the bat and just store it in the storage room my ceramics class had, and simply wait until I had it available the next time I had that class which was nearly every day since I enjoy that class too much. Unfortunately, I wouldn't always finish my pottery on the wheel, but more for practice. One of my proudest creations was a teapot, but it exploded when it was put through the bisque kiln. I was told that there was an air bubble on the base of the pot itself and that the only thing that was left was just the edges of where the handle was originally put on and that's it.

[@lyli1969]

absolutely enjoy your videos. I find that they are not only very informative but also very easy to follow. Thank you for making them so precise and go straight to what is about. You are an amazing Potter.

[@mbhbYT]

Thanks for this, Florian. I'm (at long last) setting up my first home studio, and your thoughts and experience are spectacularly valuable!

[@Ky-dl5ko]

To this beginner, your video is a wealth of information. Thank you.

[@tantegerritje1496]

thank you Florian! that was really useful. I always ruminate over the space and how to best use it, and make less of a mess!

[@Zatomis]

I really believe that the dog is just as important 😌

[@cathyklim1328]

Thank you Florian! This is so helpful in thinking about improving the flow of work in my studio. I really appreciate this content

[@lisaghent7748]

Your channel is invaluable to one who is just starting out (like me!). Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge!

[@shannonmustari6333]

Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge!! I have learned so much from you!

[@MrLewooz]

I'll take a few things on board thank you very much!

[@alexandraframe6493]

I loved this video it’s so interesting to know how other people do things, it helps me try it and see if it helps me be better. Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video. I wish wheels still had the water draining feature, I really that helps with clean up.

[@EmilyKirkegaard]

Thank you for sharing - very helpful for new-ish potters!

[@lollathy]

thank you thank you thank you for making this video! Gold for beginners!

[@joallen1124]

Awesome video, thank you Florian 😊

[@CMC1201]

Thank you for sharing your methods.😊

[@michaelae4341]

Thats all really helpful! Thankyou!

[@David-uv7hz]

Love tips videos like this. Thank you.

[@tombraun7235]

Thanks for sharing this in so much detail! I have pretty much the same setup, which may be influenced by your videos a tad ;-) The only significant difference is that I put an additional board on the left side of the wheel where I put my bucket for the throwing water. I mounted it below the board where the mirror and tools go, using a spacer so it sits at the same level as the wooden board below the wheel head. That way I don't have to bend forward so much and I noticed it's a big relief for my lower back. When cleaning surfaces with a relatively coarse sponge (the ones used for washing cars), I always noticed a smell of clay in the air which concerned me a bit. After switching to a much denser sponge the smell was much less pronounced and when I use microfiber cloths, it's barely noticable. I guess the car washing sponges take up the clay and as the tiny dry bits disintegrate inside the sponge, air travels out of the top and takes some of the clay dust with it. I'm also washing my sponges etc. with clean water after every use directly in the sink, so I always have them completely clean for the next use. I think it's just not worth saving the tiny bit of clay dust while on the other hand risking lung diseases by using dirty sponges. But maybe I'm a bit overcautious here ;-)

[@cosquellemind]

Thanks for sharing I ❤ it and one day hope to get into pottery 😊

[@PaulByrne-ev2zm]

Awesome video. Very insightful tips. Noticed some saw horses as the side table. Like that.

[@willmorris340]

Thank you for sharing!

[@Kimirokhum]

Great video thanks. 👍

[@sharasimmons]

Ty ❤

[@Niji.K]

I'm going to Leeds for uni in September so I can easily take a bus down to see your exhibition! I'm a fan from Malaysia so I can't wait to finally see your work in person :D

[@floriangadsby]

Oh ace! I'll be doing some throwing demonstrations and some book signings, so it's possible to line up a visit with a day I'm there. I've added some more information on the events page of my website: www.floriangadsby.com/events

[@Niji.K]

@floriangadsby I'll be sure to do so!

[@svinotha8052]

Thank you for this video sir. Inspiration ✨

[@floriangadsby]

Thanks for taking the time to watch!

[@svinotha8052]

​@@floriangadsby it's helping me a lot sir 💥

[@RoosKohn]

Thank you.

[@liavervoort7520]

So Nice You do have a teckel as your dog. I do have two of them. Wirehair dachshunds. ❤

[@hollyandericgray]

I love all of this. Thank you for sharing. So efficient! For your wedging table... do you poly or resin the top to protect it from mold/warping and to keep the clay from losing moisture?

[@floriangadsby]

Welcome! And absolutely not! You want a surface that’s quite absorbent, as it makes clay much easier to wedge and prepare. If the surface is too sealed, the clay just smears over it as you try and wedge it, making it practically useless in some cases.

[@StudioTerrafemina]

✨ ✨ Great video - again! 🧽

[@justathought5155]

Thanks for your work Florian. I’m curious about already fired pots making an appearance in the gas kiln for a second time. I’ve noticed this in a few videos. Why are you refiring?

[@DAGABHAI11KVijaysingh]

Super 🎉🎉🎉

[@Alex_0Z]

i just realized i have the same mirror, lol ikea has everything

[@mariemarchand7824]

Hi! Thanks so much for the video! I wanted to know if I can put a lid on the waste bucket for recycling the clay? I have a dog and I want to prevent him from drinking from it. Thx!

[@floriangadsby]

Of course you can!

[@mbhbYT]

Do you put finish on your ware boards or your bench top?

[@aleksandardonnerstag4760]

Thanks for sharing. What about your camera setup? do you shoot with DSLR or with a cell phone?

[@floriangadsby]

DSLR! I’ve made a video that demonstrates how I film and photograph my work, shouldn’t be too hard to find.

[@oddsman01]

Any benefit from two wheels? Just a backup if one is in need of service?

[@naarael]

Do you ever make bakeware? Any tips?

[@Ethan-wx7is]

Would an air purifier work well with keeping the dust down?

[@DAGABHAI11KVijaysingh]

👌👌👌👌💗💗

[@saharyamouti9318]

Do you have links to your set up ?

[@ryanfitzalan8634]

If i ever get to the level of having my own studio, I'm just gonna rip off this system for sure. The question I have is: should people wear respirators when they clean up around studios? when do you think is the greatest risk of clay dust exposure during your process?

[@svinotha8052]

Sir Can I know that we can buy this pottery from India. Is it exports to India?? I have checked some websites but there is no option for ordering from India..

[@enriquetrabajo1722]

What's about your companion Chiro? Isn't he part of the process? 😢