Unboxing, Installing, and Using a Strong Arm Centering Tool!

[@nancykovaleski1225]

I had mine for 4 years and love it!

[@KS-fc2od]

Thank you for sharing! I have an injury that is making centering very difficult, so this was a helpful video 😊

[@defyant1]

As a "late bloomer" to ceramics, I just told my husband I hope my wrist holds out until I master this. This is a very timely video and thank you for the very instructive video. I have arthritis in my both thumbs from overuse of laptop. As I watch you, a suggestion to Mark in the design: the metal plate could be more oval shape and/or a bit shorter . As I watch you move across the arm to dip in water, I could see scraping my left arm causing injury on the top of the plate. This gives me hope I can continue my love a little while longer! Thank you Karen. I think I've watched every video you made during Covid.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Thanks for the kind words!! I actually use a shorter bowl for my water now which means I don’t have to reach over the arm -and it makes it a lot smoother in my use!

[@DawnShipley1977]

Karen, thank you for sharing this. I struggle to center and open up because I have a bad wrist and bad back...this may let me continue in this art form for much linger.

[@sonyabarry3696]

The people spouting ableist BS about using tools like this can kiss my butt. To be able to do a thing I love without doing more damage to my hands is fantastic. I have developed degenerative osteoarthritis in both hands/wrists, and wedging and centering have become excruciatingly painful. I bought one a few weeks ago, and it is amazing. I can stack and slam to start wedging and do the rest on the wheel with this thing. I'm still working out the best way to use my left hand on the clay, but it's more about breaking habits than anything else. I have a Nidec Whisper RK, so I went with the floor mount, we mounted to a piece of plywood and set the wheel on top of it.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

It really is a blessing to so many people! Marc works with many veterans who also benefit from his design! Knowing what a difference his design has made in so many people's lives is a joy!

[@lindapratt7112]

WOW! What a time saver! I think it's a great tool!

[@jseal21]

I'm getting back into ceramics after a 30+ year hiatus. I bought a cheapo Amazon wheel and it's surprisingly capable but I've been noticing lately that I'm getting defects on the interior wall as I do my second or third lift. It's almost like tearing and it obviously ends in a collapse, do you have any experience with students having this problem? I haven't thrown in forever so I really can't figure out what I'm doing wrong but it's universally in the interior of the form, never the exterior...

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Hey jseal- reach out to me via fb messenger if you will- find me under KaransPotsAndGlass- I’d love to help- a video would be really helpful to diagnose the issue!

[@jseal21]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass I'll install Facebook messenger and get a video of my problem tomorrow. I REALLY, REALLY appreciate any help you can give me

[@njanderson4342]

Thank you!

[@alaskie1227]

Why people are so offended by any new things coming in their way? This is a good tool not only for people with health issues but a nice help for those who are hard working on a massive order like 100 cups for a cafe, you know. I guess everyone has a right to use innovations if they want.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Yes- and I think the attitude of "shaming" people for using these great tools is ridiculous. Tools or no, people still must understand the actual functions that happen in centering! I figure if it can keep people working in clay longer then it's a great thing!

[@thevagabondonwheels4918]

To add to that, the companies that mass produce dinnerware are using molds and scrapers anyway so this isn't anywhere near as big a cheat as that. I will also add that, for many, the thrown form is little more than a blank canvas for their artistry (carving, sgraffito, applique, whatever). If this device allows someone to practice what makes them unique for longer, good!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Here, here!!! (Picture me raising a glass to toast my agreement!!). Ha! ;)

[@tonipedersen4410]

I just received my strong arm. I have been watching the videos, and I'm pretty excited to try it out. My question though, is if I mount the mount to the front left leg, could I flip the arm around so that I can hold the handle with my left hand instead of my right? It's my left hand/wrist that is injured.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

I’ve actually held the arm with either hand sometimes! I don’t think it would work to flip it, however, because of the angle of the plate.

[@jacobaccurso]

You have GOT to be kidding me. SRSLY?? I don’t know whether to cry or just sit here and blink for a few moments a’la South Park. There are those whose physical disabilities might be able to benefit from this device. I get that. But if you aren’t coming to the clay without such disability, here’s my advice. If you want to learn how to become adequate in the industry of throwing on the wheel, then just practice; it’s the 10,000 hour rule. Use both hands and you’ll become a fine potter. And you’ll become a fine potter in less than 10,000 hours. I promise. Happy throwing.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Wow- that's a bit harsh. I have been throwing for over 35 years. I have no issue with that. Perhaps, having a few broken bones in my wrist from an accident made me realize how I can benefit from the use of this while throwing and trying to recover and heal. This is a cool device that makes throwing accessible to a much wider audience who don't have the physical strength through age or perhaps injury. Happy throwing to you as well.

[@jacobaccurso]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass Yeah, I agree. It is a bit harsh. Please pardon my visceral reaction to seeing yet another device that takes away from working on the wheel as would a person who has full use of their body. I get it. I’m sorry you were in a car crash. I did allow for the fact that there are some exceptions and you appear to be such. But the device is marketed for general use, is it not? I had the same reaction when I saw the tool that tells you how thick the bottom of the pot is. Oh my gawd. Seriously? And except for vessels that are necked in and have narrow openings, I scoff at the Giffen grip. I’ve learned how to tap on center, and I trim directly on the aluminum wheelhead without ever keying a pot down. Back in the 80s we had a joke about marketing pre-centered clay that came in a vacuum sealed plastic package so people didn’t have to center their clay on the wheel and could just open the package and go to throwing their mugs. I’ve been throwing since 1977, by the way. I love what my hands can do all by themselves. And I love watching potters do the same with theirs. Apologies for coming off so harshly. Just know that I throw through the pain in my own hands at 70 years of age and I do not mean to take away from the validity of your compromised situation. I’ll leave you with this Zen Koan: “What is the sound of one hand centering?”

[@DawnShipley1977]

I am someone who can very much benefit from this. I broke my wrist when I was 10 and have struggled with it ever since. When I first took ceramics my teacher first focused on hand building and I did great with this. We moved to throwing in my second semester and it was okay. When I moved and wanted to get back into ceramics the community colleges were I currently live are very wheel centric and I struggled. Thankfully I had a teacher that took this into account and taught me how to center with one hand. This was great but has its limits...I can only center small amounts of clay. This would help people like me, think about this before being so judgemental about the product. I am glad you are happy with what you have been doing my entire life, but have an open mind to innovations that can make this art form more accessible to those with disabilities.

[@Brooksms]

@@jacobaccursoThis is such an elitist comment. You’re so special because you can do everything without tools. So what, do you want an award? Everyone finds joy in pottery for different reasons. Maybe for you it’s the pride you have from developing those skills. Maybe I just really enjoy manipulating clay into different shapes. If I can use tools that allow me to do it with less stress on my body and avoid a physical ailment later on, why not? Are the pottery police going to fine me for not being a “real” potter? 🙄

[@jacobaccurso]

@@Brooksms All good points. All points taken to heart.

[@FrancisoDoncona]

Centering is not that difficult, this a solution without a problem.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

I agree, centering is not an issue for me... however, if someone has a disability or strength issue- it can make all the difference in the world- that's why I am featuring it. Not everyone is able-bodied- and this makes throwing more accessible for many.

[@thevagabondonwheels4918]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass Or the people that can still reliably center 2-3 lbs but would struggle with larger amounts.

[@rvmush3883]

No centering was not an issue for me 20 years ago, but a serious accident has had me hand building because centering is literally excruciating for me. I was overjoyed to see this option to return to the wheel. Count your blessings. Life happens and some of us need this device to enjoy our art.