I hate the mess from the thrown bits too. I bought some plastic file folders at the dollar store and taped them together. It is flexible to sit in the pan, tall enough to catch the trimmings, wipes clean and folds to store nicely. As far as storage, I turned a pot and throw the parts in there.
In my experience this works okay but you can't apply much pressure when trimming. This is because if there is drag between the vessel and the top surface of the giffin grip it makes the grips go inward (by design). Using it normally it's not an issue because they just tighten slightly more on the vessel but if they're on the inside moving inward causes the grips to loosen. That's why they sell a CW and a CCW version! As a CW thrower I was very confused why I had more trouble than everyone else at my studio when using the giffin grip haha.
I use griffin grip mini which fits three different size of wheel heads including the regular size. It uses bat pins to get it locked in place. The diameter is smaller than the regular size wheel head so the scraps still goes into the splash pan! I really like my mini ❤
My local community studio has plastic kids placemats that are flexible and they put two or three curved around the inside of the splash pan to raise the walls and catch the trimmings!
I got the Giffin Grip Mini instead and LOVE it. It's a little bit smaller and attaches using standard bat pins on the wheels and sits low enough that trimmings don't fly off the wheel. Only caveat is it can't do really big pieces, but I don't make giant pots as a hoppy ceramicist, so works! Also good for applying wax to bottoms, etc. As for storage, I kept the original box and store everything in there. Really good investment!
@@PotterytothePeople They have a 90 day moneyback guarantee and are a very cool company - I'd definitely reach out to see if you can return the OG and order the Mini, if you fancy it might be better. :)
Same! I love my Giffin Grip Mini especially because I have a shimpo aspire and the mini fits. It also still sits lower than the splash pan. The box is super handy to store everything together.
As a beginner, I place the pot as close as I can to center, then slow turning the wheel, I take a sharp tool and draw a circle on the foot to be trimmed, then use that as a guide to get it closer to center. It's worked better for me than trying to tap center, as I find that I'm constantly throwing the pot off center when I try tapping it in place.
I work in manufacturing and I've trimmed many thousands of pots on the Giffin Grip. For high volume trimming it's very effective and I couldn't do the specific job I do without a device like it. I would recommend trimming your pots slightly dryer than you would when you conventionally trim them. This will prevent the sliders from leaving indentations. Also, I only use the posts for pots that can't be secured with the sliders, like a pot with a round bottom. It does create a huge fucking mess but I keep a bucket for recycling, and a metal scraper broom thingy to tidy up at the end of the day.
I learned pottery at university. They had a very purist mindset there, no tools! Your throwing should be good enough to not have to trim. It took a few years to see how ableist that attitude is, especially for functional pottery. After many years of confronting my beliefs, I used a giffin grip at a studio I was working at and I was so much faster. I started using it regularly and then bought my own when I changed studios. I also use it to sand smooth after firing. There’s a bit of a learning curve to it, I noticed you didn’t knock a pot out like I have done a dozen times, maybe you trim differently than I do. I keep the bits in an index card box that I had laying around. The circle gets stored with my bats. To keep flying clay to a minimum, I taped together a couple flexible cutting boards from ikea, that I also had laying around, and stick in around the wheel head.
The purist view is interesting. You can also always be more pure. Buying clay? Not pure enough. You should dig up clay on your own land. Electric kiln? Not pure. It should be a home built fire kiln where you only burn your own grown wood where you planted the trees yourself. If you love centering yourself, then do that, if you would rather put the time on something else, do that!
Here I am as a hobbyist, kinda wishing I went to University for pottery. Dumb engineering degree instead. I think there's something to the mindset that keeps you away from using as many tools as possible (I mean, hell, I can just about make my rims the way I want to without tools now), but yeah, I think it's kinda ridiculous to be that purist and to shun other people that use more tools "as a crutch". I wish people would just focus on themselves and the way they do things, just assuming what they're doing is good enough instead of having to work to gain approval from other people.
@@CalculyticCuber my engineering degrees pay for my pottery hobby! :) everyone has to find their own way, I would one day love to make my own glaze and dog my own clay, but that’s only because i would think its fun, not to be a purist! If someone buys bisque to paint, and love it, that’s just awesome!
The first studio I attended to learn pottery sounds similar to your experience. Sure, it is important to learn to throw well, and use lugs to hold a pot to trim, BUT it is also important to know how to preserve your body. The instructor I initially learned from can no longer throw due to arthritis and now cannot do all the things we students were always supposed to do. 😢. Tools are GOOD things. For instance, I use throwing sticks more now as my aging wrists and fingers just hurt from repetitive movements. I’m not ready to quit, so I adapt and am so happy with the results. I have a grip like yours that is the most used piece in my studio. I made really small plaster bats for mugs, and similar small items that the grip holds firmly to throw. Boom! Custom tools for Pennie’s that fit my home studio needs. The plaster bats save me hours of trimming and so much space. The grip is also useful for making new molds and bats, glazing, cleaning up slip cast items, holding home made jiggers and jollies for fun small items, you name it. The grip rarely leaves my main wheel these days. Basically, unless making plates and platters, the grip is proudly on the wheel.
So pleased to be sat here watching this! I bought a cheap copy that I'm not happy with. One of the best options I've seen for stopping the bits flying all over is a cut down tubby trug bucket. But any sheet of bendable plastic should work.
My local pottery supplier here in Canada sells shield attachments for your wheel for situations like this! Might be worth looking in to. I love my Giffon grip, I have a chronic pain and fatigue and it allows me to spend more time trimming and less time centering!
I have used one for 4 years. Love it. Tips, slow down, you trim at a much faster speed than me. No judgement but trimmings gonna fly further at that speed. Some shielding will keep most of it in too. Wonky/Spiral pots - don't us arms just grip the rim/lip with bottom pads only and be a bit more shallow with trimming /careful. Good Luck.
I had the opportunity to use one at college and it was wonderful. WAY faster than trimming how i was taught. Which was taking a needle tool and centering my hands on the splash catch while turning the wheel slowly and anywhere there wasnt a line from the needle tool then you needed to tap it closer to center and repeat till there was a complete line.
I found that tapp center is a musical thing, like playing the drums. I feel the beat of the off center of the speed and I just tap it like an instrument!
Yep! I call it a rhythm game. It's very similar to things like Guitar Hero or other video games where you're trying to hit notes on a rhythm, except it's a wheel and mud instead. That was the best way I was able to learn it, and I dare say it's the only way you should tap center. Never got anywhere just tapping continuously until it was there.
@@CalculyticCuber guitar here is a really good analogy, ä there you have the slight relay between the music and where you tap the guitar, same as the delay from when you feel the off center and when you tap the clay!
I made a number of closed form table lamps varying between 8 inches high to over 12 inches high and found the Griffin Grip essential for trimming the base of these, even the pear-shaped one. If you have a lot of clay to remove this can be done quite aggressively. If you've got an odd shaped piece try turning it slightly until you find the sweet spot. I found the best way to trim the sides of an item is to trim the foot first with the longer supports and then trim the sides without them or shorter supports. One tip I do suggest to do. When you remove the Griffin Grip from the wheel turn it upside down and give it a good shake to save the pieces are clay jamming the mechanism next time you go to use it.
I absolutely adore mine. Honestly, I bought an off brand because I can't afford Giffin's, but I still love it. It's helped this 70 year old's hands and brain.
Love mine. Held out for awhile, but was doing wonky trimming wiith centering the pot on the wheel by eye and by gosh. Tried tap centering, and decided that it would take YEARS to learn that skill, and I am not a production potter.....so, I let my fingers do the walking to the Giffin website. Best purchase ever. I do have to touch up the outside of the pot occasionally, but a sponge works well for that. I trim slower than what you do, so mine don't fly. No regrets.
We use a long piece of cardboard secured by a short ratchet strap around the outside of the splash pan to catch trimmings. Folds up and tucks away easily. Quick to set up.
I have been thinking about splurging on this product, so really appreciate your review! I’ve researched reviews the off-brand products like this, and there seem to be a lot of positive reviews on those as well (and as most customers point out, even the Giffin Grip is manufactured in China). Maybe one of those companies will send you a free one for a comparison review!
I use a cut pool noodle in the pan to hold a trimmed plastic dog e collar in place and I trimmed a plastic shelf liner for the front. Keeps everything in the pan. For those wonky or short pieces I learned to use the shortest pieces to center the pot then use traditional lugs to hold in place and take the giffin grips off.
I love mine, and as I stand for all work at the wheel I have managed to find a small plastic garbage can that I have cut down and it fits perfectly between the splash pan and the wheel head. (Whew, long sentence). Anyway it catches all the trimmings and gives me something to lean on. I also purchased a set of the Giffin grip mittens and they are great.
Great video very informative. I use a 20” planting ring to contain clay trimming. It is a ring to put around plants or trees for watering. Good luck and have a great day.
I have one and I'm not a huge fan and barely use it. The pot has to have been thrown perfectly centered, or when you trim the foot ring it will be thicker on one side. It can be cool for specific trimming needs though. I take a piece of cardboard to stop the trimmings from flying on the floor. People take thin pieces of foam like the ones that come in cone boxes and put it in between the pot and the arms you were using at first. This keeps the arms from making a mark on the pot.
To catch flying trimmings, I reused in old foam-core poster board sitting in my splash pan, and I use a large piece of fabric (an apron would also work) tucked in my pant waist and the other end tucked into the splash pan so that when I stand up all the trimmings drop into the pan. Downside is that it blocks your mirror and doesn't make for exciting content creation! Looking forward to reading the comments for a less haphazardly put together solution.
i use a plastic metro shelf liner cut in half and the 2 halves just sit in the pan. it arrived curled for shipping which turned out to be handy since that curl when reversed helps keep it away from the wheel head. the 2 pieces can be slid so i have an opening in front.
We have 2 giffin grips in our community studio, and for the most part, I love them. Trimmings is an issue. We had a member who built wooden boxes that replace the try, but they are clunky and don't get used much. I have also seen folks line the tray with a strip of crazy carpet cut length ways! I just trim slower, but thats not ideal. I'm interested to see what people suggest and I hope you will mention in a future program if you find a winning suggestion. My only other pet peeve is all the dry bits that accumulate in the grip workings. You just need to be mindful and either invert and shake after use or unspiral it so you can keep your trimmings. Otherwise, the mechanism sticks. We store ours in the boxes with the parts in the corners.
I have the Giffin Grip mini and I’m really happy with it! Never going back, best investment ever. I considered both options but went with the mini because of the splash pan issue, and I make functional ware (mugs etc) that fits on the mini. If you make really big things I would go for the big one/regular, but for me that wasn’t necessary 😊
I love mine. I have not done the shield yet. Just sweep up the trimming and toss. I a hobby potter so im not into the whole recycle my clay yet. I should be and will get there
Reclaiming clay can be a fun process. At the very least, you get very comfortable and knowledgeable about when slip turns into plastic clay. Even better, I take every single clay I have ever used, take the trimmings/slip from them, and I mix them all together into a singular clay. The color constantly changes, and you always get something like a medium/dark brown.
Several potters I follow have different ideas, can't name all the Potter but a few ideas include a cheap rubber/ plastic bucket you use in the garden, they split one side and took the bottom out , wrapping it around inside the splash pan Lois Hook pottery, old forge creations used a cardboard barrier out of an old box, Potter unknown used a plastic dog collar/cone, used to stop a dog licking a wound. Another I saw cut 1 side off a large under the bed storage box and cut a slot out of the box base a d slid it round the wheel, found it check out Evolution stoneware catch pan video. This one's the best, I think, if I bought a Gifford grip, I think I would do this with with the box. Thanks for a good review 😊
Love mine and made my own shield, but liking some of the other shield ideas here. One thing I didn't see mentioned is that I find it a bit difficult to remember which direction opens the jaws and which closes them, so I labelled mine with permanent marker with "open" and "close" and arrows pointing the right way to turn.
To store little things I love to use shoe boxes (boots box, with a lit that flaps back not seperated) with boxes from tea bags (or any other package that fits) inside as devider.
Flexible plastic cutting boards come to my mind. They are made from fexible, but npt flimsy plastic. You could use those as a shield to keep the cuttings in the splashpan.
The studio I work with has a whole bunch of those things but I’ve never been able to figure out how to make it work. You’ve convinced me to give it another try.😀
I just saw where Griffen Grip is selling a shield to keep the trimmings contained. Also a Chinese company is selling a wheel tray with a drain in it. It's in the "Ceramic Monthly" of November 2024
glue some foam on a bat works well also except tall skinny forms. Or there is a black chuck that goes on your bat pins that also works. Also for storage just put them back into the box.
You could probably create a taller shield using a large sheet of flexible plastic. If you remember the old "crazy carpet" type winter sleds, cutting a strip out of one of those to raise the height of the splash guard could work. The crazy carpets are often available from the dollar stores for quite cheap in winter time.
i measured my wheel and the hight of the giffin grip. then i went to the local baumarkt to get a big plastic bowl normally used for garden plants. drilled a hole in the middle and replaced my splashpan with this for trimming.
in our studio we use a plastic table mat that we secure to the tray with clamps. it could be a problem for you because you wouldn't be able to film anything... but I'd be curious to try the griffin grip mini, which is a. easier to store because it's tiny, b. in theory, since it's so much smaller, it might handle the trimmings better without the addition of a barrier? I don't know...
I use a wire shelf liner in the pan when trimming with the gg. Its not ideal, fit wise but can be fixed. And it keeps most of my trimmings from flying everywhere.
I made a cardboard insert to go around my wheel GG also sells one but I think the cardboard works as well. I would also point out as I am sure someone has by now there is a GG mini that is less expensive and sits much shallower
I actually have the giffin grip mini. Its a little cheaper and at some point it broke for some reason and i couldnt get a pot in the center. I contacted the giffin grip and they send me a new one. I mean who does this great customer service nowadays? would HIGHLY recommend a giffin grip. It is expensive but it saves you ALOT of time.
I've had a griffen grip for a long time. The problem is the "little parts" . My advice is to buy or make a small pouch for the little parts and..........always put them away clean when finished.
My husband just bought one for me for my birthday! I love it. I drilled holes into a piece of wood to stick the metal poles in. I knew I wanted one for years after using one at a studio trimming some very wonky stuff.
Ironically, I think I would have to get much better at throwing in order to take advantage of something like this. This isn't to say I can't make anything, but it's more the fact that I'm just ever-so-slightly unstable when I throw and I have intermittent shakes as well, so I'm pretty limited on how well I can throw. With that being said, I picked up tap centering rather quickly compared to most people, using the rhythm game method, and now I have rather infinite flexibility when it comes to which part of a pot I center to, which helps me a lot with trimming. You experienced some of this when you were trimming the wonky cup, when the fingers of the grip were clutching an uneven, off-center cross section. For some dumb reason, I have that voice in the back of my head that says "omg, just learn to tap center, it's so much better, and it proves you have more skill", but I will say that it shouldn't be a judgement on anyone that buys something that makes a task easier, especially when it comes to artistic hobby. The end result is really what matters, not how you got to it.
As a newer potterer, I bought the knock-off and it works pretty much the same. I have a question that I can't see answered by others: The Timing of Trimming. Qs to be answered: What is the "right" stage to trim? What if I wait too long-can this be remediated? I can't seem to time everything perfectly to get ribbons - either too soft or too hard. Does this differ with different clay bodies? Are there tips salvage too dry clay once I've missed the mark? Thank you so much-been a follower for several years as you get to the topic and don't opine about your life, dog, weather, etc. or play music over your audio - very clear instructions. I'll be watching for the Timing to Trim video.
If it's too dry give it a light spray of water and cover with plastic until the next day. If it's too wet, give it a blast with a heat gun, but let it stand for about half an hour before you start trimming to allow it to dry evenly through the thickness.
Bend some lexan (with heat) to fit just inside your splash guard, effectively extending the walls higher. If that's too much, the material that thin flexible cutting boards are made out of would maybe work.
I wonder: does it have inner jaws? I mean the kind that push from the inside-out, instead of outside-in. If it does, then... damn! That would allow for a thorough trimming of the exterior, something that can't be done with dry trimming otherwise
Bonjour, I also have one and I really like it. But be gentle when installing and removing it from your wheel, One of my holder broked once (the three black holder underneath) when installing on the wheel. Otherwise it's a great tool. Kind regards.
Slow down to keep the clay from flying. When I got mine, I used the box it came in unfolded and stuck into the splash pan. But then I got a mirror and wanted to use it so I learned from Mary Fox to just slow down my trimming.
Does Giffin Grip still come I. Left hand throwing & right hand throwing? If memory serves me correctly, you throw right handed. Do they make one that works for both handedness? The other issue I have is the cost of the Giffin Grip. My throwing is getting better all the time, however, I’m not good with tap centering either.. I’m asking because I’m a southpaw.
I always thought the trimming shields I've seen seemed overkill but those trimmings really do go everywhere. There are some cool ones on Etsy. Is there a reason you went with the OG over the mini? I don't have either, but my wheel comes in December so I'm definitely going to get one or the other. I recently came across a 3d printed chuck attachment for the wheel, but I bet a chuck in the GG would work to trim on too for some extra side access!
@@samsquantch42 I went with the mini and I’m loving it (I’ve also tried the OG). The fact it sits on standard bat pins and sits low enough so trimmings don’t fly everywhere is what sold me.
Thanks for the suggestion, I hadn't thought to look on etsy ☺️ idk, I didn't know about the mini!! I just went for the standard because I didn't do enough research I guess haha
I put a posterboard or large piece of thick paper in the splash pan, and if you curve it, it extends the height of the splash pan and it acts as a bericade for the flying trimmings. My studio also has the mini, and I like it a lot better. They also sell Flex Sliders on the website that are adjustable for off-centered, asymmetrical and plain old wonky pots.
i didn’t like my griffin because i throw left handed. so when i start off fast the griffin will loosen off. so i taught myself how to tap centre so i guess it was good that way lol.
I _hated_ the full size version. Hated it so very much, it required so much care to start up and stopping. It would either crush the ware or loosen the jaws if I didn't pay full attention. I returned it and got the smaller version. The locking latch on the small version makes it so, so much better. I use the small one several times a week. Yes, I know many use the big one successfully, doesn't matter.
People in the studio I go to got one of these off Amazon and it took her literally 1.5 hours to put it together. To put that in perspective at that time we only had 2.5 hours to do what we had to do lol - I want it so bad but after seeing how hard it is my patience will be out the window lol
I think the simplest solution to the splash pan is some cheap aluminum flashing. Just cut it to length and it should sit perfectly around the giffin grip
About metric versus Imperial, years ago I got into a discussion about it with an Englishman who clearly identified as conservative and he claimed the Metric System is arbitrary. Yes it is, but so is Imperial! The only difference is Metric is much more practical in science the way it converts into other units in the International System. I have a degree in Earth sciences and have dealt with old maps in imperial units, fun fun. The only thing with inches I have is a sewing measuring tape, cm on the other side. Comes in handy though with converting patterns from American companies like Folkwear. Metric Rules!
I really like the Giffin Grip. But the price point has always been a deterrent to me. It's a great tool but I agree it's nice to have and not something you need to be successful with pottery.
I know the inventor! Brian Giffen. My friends chipped in and bought me this tool about 35 years ago. ( It was less expensive) there are so many ways to use it. Mostly I use the low grips. I use the ones with legs occasionally for bottles or pitchers. It is one of my favorite tool. I can tap center and do when I teach, it is easy for me but that’s the way I learned. I love your videos, thank you!
I hate the mess from the thrown bits too. I bought some plastic file folders at the dollar store and taped them together. It is flexible to sit in the pan, tall enough to catch the trimmings, wipes clean and folds to store nicely. As far as storage, I turned a pot and throw the parts in there.
Nice
I've been using cardboard and duct tape
Great idea! I just sweep up a mountain after I trim several pieces. I'll look for these folders!!!
You can flip the grips in the opposite direction and hold the cups from the inside! I would love to see you review one of those plastic chucks too!
nice tip!
@@CryBaby-l8f stop giving me ideas, i more and more feel the urge to buy one!
@@fredrikjohansson 😂
@@MarvelousMarblelessI didn't know you could do that, great tip!
In my experience this works okay but you can't apply much pressure when trimming. This is because if there is drag between the vessel and the top surface of the giffin grip it makes the grips go inward (by design). Using it normally it's not an issue because they just tighten slightly more on the vessel but if they're on the inside moving inward causes the grips to loosen. That's why they sell a CW and a CCW version! As a CW thrower I was very confused why I had more trouble than everyone else at my studio when using the giffin grip haha.
I use griffin grip mini which fits three different size of wheel heads including the regular size. It uses bat pins to get it locked in place. The diameter is smaller than the regular size wheel head so the scraps still goes into the splash pan! I really like my mini ❤
My local community studio has plastic kids placemats that are flexible and they put two or three curved around the inside of the splash pan to raise the walls and catch the trimmings!
I bought a cheap plastic two handles tub from a dollar store. Cut off the bottom and one cut up the side and it can be clamped onto a splash pan.
I got the Giffin Grip Mini instead and LOVE it. It's a little bit smaller and attaches using standard bat pins on the wheels and sits low enough that trimmings don't fly off the wheel. Only caveat is it can't do really big pieces, but I don't make giant pots as a hoppy ceramicist, so works! Also good for applying wax to bottoms, etc. As for storage, I kept the original box and store everything in there. Really good investment!
oh I didn't even consider the mini! Now I wonder if that would have been better..
@@PotterytothePeople They have a 90 day moneyback guarantee and are a very cool company - I'd definitely reach out to see if you can return the OG and order the Mini, if you fancy it might be better. :)
Use the pizza box that the grip came in, in the splash pan to create a wall
Same! I love my Giffin Grip Mini especially because I have a shimpo aspire and the mini fits. It also still sits lower than the splash pan. The box is super handy to store everything together.
I love my mini, too! One disadvantage is that it’s usually too small for wider diameter pieces like plates, or big bowls… something to consider
This basically turns the wheel into a three jaw chuck like you'd have on a lathe. That is so genius!
I was commenting the same. It's a self-centering chuck like you would use to make a wooden bowl.
As a beginner, I place the pot as close as I can to center, then slow turning the wheel, I take a sharp tool and draw a circle on the foot to be trimmed, then use that as a guide to get it closer to center. It's worked better for me than trying to tap center, as I find that I'm constantly throwing the pot off center when I try tapping it in place.
I work in manufacturing and I've trimmed many thousands of pots on the Giffin Grip. For high volume trimming it's very effective and I couldn't do the specific job I do without a device like it. I would recommend trimming your pots slightly dryer than you would when you conventionally trim them. This will prevent the sliders from leaving indentations. Also, I only use the posts for pots that can't be secured with the sliders, like a pot with a round bottom. It does create a huge fucking mess but I keep a bucket for recycling, and a metal scraper broom thingy to tidy up at the end of the day.
I learned pottery at university. They had a very purist mindset there, no tools! Your throwing should be good enough to not have to trim. It took a few years to see how ableist that attitude is, especially for functional pottery.
After many years of confronting my beliefs, I used a giffin grip at a studio I was working at and I was so much faster. I started using it regularly and then bought my own when I changed studios. I also use it to sand smooth after firing. There’s a bit of a learning curve to it, I noticed you didn’t knock a pot out like I have done a dozen times, maybe you trim differently than I do.
I keep the bits in an index card box that I had laying around. The circle gets stored with my bats. To keep flying clay to a minimum, I taped together a couple flexible cutting boards from ikea, that I also had laying around, and stick in around the wheel head.
The purist view is interesting. You can also always be more pure. Buying clay? Not pure enough. You should dig up clay on your own land. Electric kiln? Not pure. It should be a home built fire kiln where you only burn your own grown wood where you planted the trees yourself. If you love centering yourself, then do that, if you would rather put the time on something else, do that!
Here I am as a hobbyist, kinda wishing I went to University for pottery. Dumb engineering degree instead.
I think there's something to the mindset that keeps you away from using as many tools as possible (I mean, hell, I can just about make my rims the way I want to without tools now), but yeah, I think it's kinda ridiculous to be that purist and to shun other people that use more tools "as a crutch". I wish people would just focus on themselves and the way they do things, just assuming what they're doing is good enough instead of having to work to gain approval from other people.
@@CalculyticCuber my engineering degrees pay for my pottery hobby! :) everyone has to find their own way, I would one day love to make my own glaze and dog my own clay, but that’s only because i would think its fun, not to be a purist! If someone buys bisque to paint, and love it, that’s just awesome!
The first studio I attended to learn pottery sounds similar to your experience. Sure, it is important to learn to throw well, and use lugs to hold a pot to trim, BUT it is also important to know how to preserve your body. The instructor I initially learned from can no longer throw due to arthritis and now cannot do all the things we students were always supposed to do. 😢. Tools are GOOD things. For instance, I use throwing sticks more now as my aging wrists and fingers just hurt from repetitive movements. I’m not ready to quit, so I adapt and am so happy with the results.
I have a grip like yours that is the most used piece in my studio. I made really small plaster bats for mugs, and similar small items that the grip holds firmly to throw. Boom! Custom tools for Pennie’s that fit my home studio needs. The plaster bats save me hours of trimming and so much space.
The grip is also useful for making new molds and bats, glazing, cleaning up slip cast items, holding home made jiggers and jollies for fun small items, you name it. The grip rarely leaves my main wheel these days. Basically, unless making plates and platters, the grip is proudly on the wheel.
So pleased to be sat here watching this! I bought a cheap copy that I'm not happy with.
One of the best options I've seen for stopping the bits flying all over is a cut down tubby trug bucket. But any sheet of bendable plastic should work.
My local pottery supplier here in Canada sells shield attachments for your wheel for situations like this! Might be worth looking in to. I love my Giffon grip, I have a chronic pain and fatigue and it allows me to spend more time trimming and less time centering!
I have used one for 4 years. Love it. Tips, slow down, you trim at a much faster speed than me. No judgement but trimmings gonna fly further at that speed. Some shielding will keep most of it in too. Wonky/Spiral pots - don't us arms just grip the rim/lip with bottom pads only and be a bit more shallow with trimming /careful. Good Luck.
Have no idea what's going on but I could watch 24 hrs of you trimming. Love it!
I had the opportunity to use one at college and it was wonderful. WAY faster than trimming how i was taught. Which was taking a needle tool and centering my hands on the splash catch while turning the wheel slowly and anywhere there wasnt a line from the needle tool then you needed to tap it closer to center and repeat till there was a complete line.
I found that tapp center is a musical thing, like playing the drums. I feel the beat of the off center of the speed and I just tap it like an instrument!
Yep! I call it a rhythm game. It's very similar to things like Guitar Hero or other video games where you're trying to hit notes on a rhythm, except it's a wheel and mud instead. That was the best way I was able to learn it, and I dare say it's the only way you should tap center. Never got anywhere just tapping continuously until it was there.
@@CalculyticCuber guitar here is a really good analogy, ä there you have the slight relay between the music and where you tap the guitar, same as the delay from when you feel the off center and when you tap the clay!
Gives me hope and another way to think about trying it out, thank you.
@@lorihry6236for me, if the wheel rotates too slow I can’t find the tempo
I made a number of closed form table lamps varying between 8 inches high to over 12 inches high and found the Griffin Grip essential for trimming the base of these, even the pear-shaped one. If you have a lot of clay to remove this can be done quite aggressively. If you've got an odd shaped piece try turning it slightly until you find the sweet spot. I found the best way to trim the sides of an item is to trim the foot first with the longer supports and then trim the sides without them or shorter supports.
One tip I do suggest to do. When you remove the Griffin Grip from the wheel turn it upside down and give it a good shake to save the pieces are clay jamming the mechanism next time you go to use it.
Some people use the clear doggie cones that they put on them after surgery. Likely you would need a cone for a large dog.
I absolutely adore mine. Honestly, I bought an off brand because I can't afford Giffin's, but I still love it. It's helped this 70 year old's hands and brain.
Love mine. Held out for awhile, but was doing wonky trimming wiith centering the pot on the wheel by eye and by gosh. Tried tap centering, and decided that it would take YEARS to learn that skill, and I am not a production potter.....so, I let my fingers do the walking to the Giffin website. Best purchase ever. I do have to touch up the outside of the pot occasionally, but a sponge works well for that. I trim slower than what you do, so mine don't fly. No regrets.
We use a long piece of cardboard secured by a short ratchet strap around the outside of the splash pan to catch trimmings. Folds up and tucks away easily. Quick to set up.
I have been thinking about splurging on this product, so really appreciate your review! I’ve researched reviews the off-brand products like this, and there seem to be a lot of positive reviews on those as well (and as most customers point out, even the Giffin Grip is manufactured in China). Maybe one of those companies will send you a free one for a comparison review!
I use a cut pool noodle in the pan to hold a trimmed plastic dog e collar in place and I trimmed a plastic shelf liner for the front. Keeps everything in the pan.
For those wonky or short pieces I learned to use the shortest pieces to center the pot then use traditional lugs to hold in place and take the giffin grips off.
I love mine, and as I stand for all work at the wheel I have managed to find a small plastic garbage can that I have cut down and it fits perfectly between the splash pan and the wheel head. (Whew, long sentence). Anyway it catches all the trimmings and gives me something to lean on. I also purchased a set of the Giffin grip mittens and they are great.
Great video very informative. I use a 20” planting ring to contain clay trimming. It is a ring to put around plants or trees for watering. Good luck and have a great day.
I have one and I'm not a huge fan and barely use it. The pot has to have been thrown perfectly centered, or when you trim the foot ring it will be thicker on one side. It can be cool for specific trimming needs though. I take a piece of cardboard to stop the trimmings from flying on the floor. People take thin pieces of foam like the ones that come in cone boxes and put it in between the pot and the arms you were using at first. This keeps the arms from making a mark on the pot.
To catch flying trimmings, I reused in old foam-core poster board sitting in my splash pan, and I use a large piece of fabric (an apron would also work) tucked in my pant waist and the other end tucked into the splash pan so that when I stand up all the trimmings drop into the pan. Downside is that it blocks your mirror and doesn't make for exciting content creation! Looking forward to reading the comments for a less haphazardly put together solution.
i use a plastic metro shelf liner cut in half and the 2 halves just sit in the pan. it arrived curled for shipping which turned out to be handy since that curl when reversed helps keep it away from the wheel head. the 2 pieces can be slid so i have an opening in front.
I placed a piece of cardboard and pierced holes through it to store the sets of arms, on a wire shelf. Works perfectly.
We have 2 giffin grips in our community studio, and for the most part, I love them. Trimmings is an issue. We had a member who built wooden boxes that replace the try, but they are clunky and don't get used much. I have also seen folks line the tray with a strip of crazy carpet cut length ways! I just trim slower, but thats not ideal. I'm interested to see what people suggest and I hope you will mention in a future program if you find a winning suggestion.
My only other pet peeve is all the dry bits that accumulate in the grip workings. You just need to be mindful and either invert and shake after use or unspiral it so you can keep your trimmings. Otherwise, the mechanism sticks.
We store ours in the boxes with the parts in the corners.
interesting to hear your experiences! Hopefully we get some good suggestions :)
I have the Giffin Grip mini and I’m really happy with it! Never going back, best investment ever. I considered both options but went with the mini because of the splash pan issue, and I make functional ware (mugs etc) that fits on the mini. If you make really big things I would go for the big one/regular, but for me that wasn’t necessary 😊
I love mine. I have not done the shield yet. Just sweep up the trimming and toss. I a hobby potter so im not into the whole recycle my clay yet. I should be and will get there
Reclaiming clay can be a fun process. At the very least, you get very comfortable and knowledgeable about when slip turns into plastic clay. Even better, I take every single clay I have ever used, take the trimmings/slip from them, and I mix them all together into a singular clay. The color constantly changes, and you always get something like a medium/dark brown.
I just got the giffin grip mini and it is awesome! No issue with flying trimmings.
Several potters I follow have different ideas, can't name all the Potter but a few ideas include a cheap rubber/ plastic bucket you use in the garden, they split one side and took the bottom out , wrapping it around inside the splash pan Lois Hook pottery, old forge creations used a cardboard barrier out of an old box, Potter unknown used a plastic dog collar/cone, used to stop a dog licking a wound. Another I saw cut 1 side off a large under the bed storage box and cut a slot out of the box base a d slid it round the wheel, found it check out Evolution stoneware catch pan video. This one's the best, I think, if I bought a Gifford grip, I think I would do this with with the box. Thanks for a good review 😊
Love mine and made my own shield, but liking some of the other shield ideas here. One thing I didn't see mentioned is that I find it a bit difficult to remember which direction opens the jaws and which closes them, so I labelled mine with permanent marker with "open" and "close" and arrows pointing the right way to turn.
To store little things I love to use shoe boxes (boots box, with a lit that flaps back not seperated) with boxes from tea bags (or any other package that fits) inside as devider.
I use underlayment for floors 12” and large binder clips slit the lament and slid one half of the binder clip through and clip it to the splash pan.
Flexible plastic cutting boards come to my mind. They are made from fexible, but npt flimsy plastic. You could use those as a shield to keep the cuttings in the splashpan.
The studio I work with has a whole bunch of those things but I’ve never been able to figure out how to make it work. You’ve convinced me to give it another try.😀
I just saw where Griffen Grip is selling a shield to keep the trimmings contained. Also a Chinese company is selling a wheel tray with a drain in it. It's in the "Ceramic Monthly" of November 2024
I taped a few flexible cutting boards together and tuck in splash pan to collect trimmings
glue some foam on a bat works well also except tall skinny forms. Or there is a black chuck that goes on your bat pins that also works. Also for storage just put them back into the box.
1:33 - I’m an American fan of metric. I recently heard the imperial system referred to as “freedom units” 😂
You could probably create a taller shield using a large sheet of flexible plastic. If you remember the old "crazy carpet" type winter sleds, cutting a strip out of one of those to raise the height of the splash guard could work. The crazy carpets are often available from the dollar stores for quite cheap in winter time.
i measured my wheel and the hight of the giffin grip. then i went to the local baumarkt to get a big plastic bowl normally used for garden plants. drilled a hole in the middle and replaced my splashpan with this for trimming.
I have the mini and it's great
SQUARE SPACE THE FATHER OF THIS CHANNEL 😂❤
in our studio we use a plastic table mat that we secure to the tray with clamps. it could be a problem for you because you wouldn't be able to film anything... but I'd be curious to try the griffin grip mini, which is a. easier to store because it's tiny, b. in theory, since it's so much smaller, it might handle the trimmings better without the addition of a barrier? I don't know...
I have had mine for more than 15 years
For most all trimming it works great
The cardboard does help with trimmings
I use a wire shelf liner in the pan when trimming with the gg. Its not ideal, fit wise but can be fixed. And it keeps most of my trimmings from flying everywhere.
I made a cardboard insert to go around my wheel GG also sells one but I think the cardboard works as well.
I would also point out as I am sure someone has by now there is a GG mini that is less expensive and sits much shallower
I actually have the giffin grip mini. Its a little cheaper and at some point it broke for some reason and i couldnt get a pot in the center. I contacted the giffin grip and they send me a new one. I mean who does this great customer service nowadays? would HIGHLY recommend a giffin grip. It is expensive but it saves you ALOT of time.
I've had a griffen grip for a long time. The problem is the "little parts" . My advice is to buy or make a small pouch for the little parts and..........always put them away clean when finished.
My husband just bought one for me for my birthday! I love it. I drilled holes into a piece of wood to stick the metal poles in.
I knew I wanted one for years after using one at a studio trimming some very wonky stuff.
It is totally worth it!!!!
Get the mittens !!!
You can put a wall of newspaper around the wheel, works great to prevent mess
Ironically, I think I would have to get much better at throwing in order to take advantage of something like this.
This isn't to say I can't make anything, but it's more the fact that I'm just ever-so-slightly unstable when I throw and I have intermittent shakes as well, so I'm pretty limited on how well I can throw. With that being said, I picked up tap centering rather quickly compared to most people, using the rhythm game method, and now I have rather infinite flexibility when it comes to which part of a pot I center to, which helps me a lot with trimming. You experienced some of this when you were trimming the wonky cup, when the fingers of the grip were clutching an uneven, off-center cross section.
For some dumb reason, I have that voice in the back of my head that says "omg, just learn to tap center, it's so much better, and it proves you have more skill", but I will say that it shouldn't be a judgement on anyone that buys something that makes a task easier, especially when it comes to artistic hobby. The end result is really what matters, not how you got to it.
As a newer potterer, I bought the knock-off and it works pretty much the same. I have a question that I can't see answered by others: The Timing of Trimming. Qs to be answered: What is the "right" stage to trim? What if I wait too long-can this be remediated? I can't seem to time everything perfectly to get ribbons - either too soft or too hard. Does this differ with different clay bodies? Are there tips salvage too dry clay once I've missed the mark? Thank you so much-been a follower for several years as you get to the topic and don't opine about your life, dog, weather, etc. or play music over your audio - very clear instructions. I'll be watching for the Timing to Trim video.
If it's too dry give it a light spray of water and cover with plastic until the next day. If it's too wet, give it a blast with a heat gun, but let it stand for about half an hour before you start trimming to allow it to dry evenly through the thickness.
@ 9:50-ish….. perhaps try the longer grippers but put a flat disc with right thickness to raise your wonky cup?
Bend some lexan (with heat) to fit just inside your splash guard, effectively extending the walls higher. If that's too much, the material that thin flexible cutting boards are made out of would maybe work.
The instructions are giving taste of home recipe
Thank you for the review. ❤
I wonder: does it have inner jaws? I mean the kind that push from the inside-out, instead of outside-in. If it does, then... damn! That would allow for a thorough trimming of the exterior, something that can't be done with dry trimming otherwise
I saw someone put a large “cone of shame” around their splash pan to keep the trimmings in.
I'm amused that when I finally see a pottery tool I'd call a chuck, it's called a grip instead!
I don’t have a giffin grip but I’ve seen many ladies at my studio use children’s plastic place mats to catch their trimmings
I bought this on Etsy a milar shield with clamps.
Maybe an idea for a video could be to learn tap centering. Take us with you through the grind.
Florian Gadsbynhas a video on tap centring
Bonjour, I also have one and I really like it. But be gentle when installing and removing it from your wheel, One of my holder broked once (the three black holder underneath) when installing on the wheel. Otherwise it's a great tool. Kind regards.
Slow down to keep the clay from flying. When I got mine, I used the box it came in unfolded and stuck into the splash pan. But then I got a mirror and wanted to use it so I learned from Mary Fox to just slow down my trimming.
Tupperware container works great to keep it all together
there is a plastic barrier you can buy or just a piece of plastic around the edge that makes it higher.
YES! You should buy a griffin grip!
Does Giffin Grip still come I. Left hand throwing & right hand throwing? If memory serves me correctly, you throw right handed. Do they make one that works for both handedness? The other issue I have is the cost of the Giffin Grip. My throwing is getting better all the time, however, I’m not good with tap centering either.. I’m asking because I’m a southpaw.
I always thought the trimming shields I've seen seemed overkill but those trimmings really do go everywhere. There are some cool ones on Etsy.
Is there a reason you went with the OG over the mini? I don't have either, but my wheel comes in December so I'm definitely going to get one or the other. I recently came across a 3d printed chuck attachment for the wheel, but I bet a chuck in the GG would work to trim on too for some extra side access!
This definitely works. I sometimes use a plaster or clay chuck in the grip to trim. I
@@samsquantch42 I went with the mini and I’m loving it (I’ve also tried the OG). The fact it sits on standard bat pins and sits low enough so trimmings don’t fly everywhere is what sold me.
Thanks for the suggestion, I hadn't thought to look on etsy ☺️ idk, I didn't know about the mini!! I just went for the standard because I didn't do enough research I guess haha
@@PotterytothePeople there’s so much debate about OG vs mini I honestly think just going for it is the better option 😅
For the first cloud cup, I couldn't see clearly but I suspect that the bottom lip was hitting the rim while you were also using the shirt arms
As a American living in the US I would love it if we flipped to metric. It just makes far more sense.
What a clever thing!
I put a posterboard or large piece of thick paper in the splash pan, and if you curve it, it extends the height of the splash pan and it acts as a bericade for the flying trimmings. My studio also has the mini, and I like it a lot better. They also sell Flex Sliders on the website that are adjustable for off-centered, asymmetrical and plain old wonky pots.
oh amazing! I never heard of the flex sliders, will look into them!
Go to your vet and get a large “cone of shame” and hook it around the splash pan.
For the cloud cups, what about making a little platform for them to raise them up a bit for trimming?
I wonder if there is a way you could use the grips to hold a pot from the inside the way most lathes have an expanding chuck
this is a literal lathe chuck
i didn’t like my griffin because i throw left handed. so when i start off fast the griffin will loosen off. so i taught myself how to tap centre so i guess it was good that way lol.
I _hated_ the full size version. Hated it so very much, it required so much care to start up and stopping. It would either crush the ware or loosen the jaws if I didn't pay full attention. I returned it and got the smaller version. The locking latch on the small version makes it so, so much better. I use the small one several times a week. Yes, I know many use the big one successfully, doesn't matter.
People in the studio I go to got one of these off Amazon and it took her literally 1.5 hours to put it together. To put that in perspective at that time we only had 2.5 hours to do what we had to do lol - I want it so bad but after seeing how hard it is my patience will be out the window lol
I think the simplest solution to the splash pan is some cheap aluminum flashing. Just cut it to length and it should sit perfectly around the giffin grip
My last comment seems to have vanished, but the Clay Screens for Pottery Wheels on Etsy look good 👍
Giffin Grip actually sells a trim guard! Although I'm sure it's something you could make at home
I love mine.
About metric versus Imperial, years ago I got into a discussion about it with an Englishman who clearly identified as conservative and he claimed the Metric System is arbitrary. Yes it is, but so is Imperial! The only difference is Metric is much more practical in science the way it converts into other units in the International System. I have a degree in Earth sciences and have dealt with old maps in imperial units, fun fun.
The only thing with inches I have is a sewing measuring tape, cm on the other side. Comes in handy though with converting patterns from American companies like Folkwear.
Metric Rules!
cool gizmo!
Giffin grip do asymmetrical holders for odd shapes
Will you file /grind down some of the glaze and still sell it ?
Did your plants survive? :P
Wonder how long until you end up with a laithe
I really like the Giffin Grip. But the price point has always been a deterrent to me. It's a great tool but I agree it's nice to have and not something you need to be successful with pottery.
A hope, a prayer, and a full sense of F it. That's how I collect my trimmings on a giffon grip
I love how she didn't explain what the thing is. I am guessing its just to hold the pot in place to trim???
👍
I know the inventor! Brian Giffen. My friends chipped in and bought me this tool about 35 years ago. ( It was less expensive) there are so many ways to use it. Mostly I use the low grips. I use the ones with legs occasionally for bottles or pitchers. It is one of my favorite tool. I can tap center and do when I teach, it is easy for me but that’s the way I learned. I love your videos, thank you!
Another easy solution for the trimmings is to just use newspaper. Works in a pinch and you don’t need to purchase anything to repurpose.