I have a portable Shimpo Aspire wheel so the varieties of bats I can use are very limited to what is available specifically for my wheel. It's an economical wheel which I've been using for 3 years and works great. At some point I suppose I will upgrade but my pottery studio is my patio and having a portable wheel makes much more sense than leaving a stationary wheel outside in the elements. Thanks for the great bat tips Marie.
You're welcome 😊 I really like the Shimpo Aspire wheel. I was going to get one but the bats I had wouldn't fit the wheel. A portable wheel is a smart choice for you. Keep making that beautiful pottery 😊
Another bat tip. Don't use speedball bats when affixing to wheel with clay if you have no bat pins. Clean up is a nightmare! So many compartments on the bottom... Learned from experience!
Thank you so much for this video! It is so helpful. Have you ever tried to use a BatMate with the speedball plastic bats without pins? The studio I'm at doesn't have a standard wheel type and some have pin holes and others don't and I just want to make sure I can make it work!
Hi LiahLee. Thank you, glad to help. Yes, I have, but speedball bats have both 9 and 10-inch bat holes. The BateMate has 10-inch holes for bat pins. The batmate is made of thick shammy material, so you can just carefully cut a hole for the different size bat pins
Thank you. Yes I do! Here is a link to the clay pad method. potterycrafters.com/how-to-use-bats-on-a-pottery-wheel/#:~:text=when%20in%20use.-,Clay%20Pad%20Method,-If%20your%20pottery
Hi! I’m fairly new to pottery and have been using the plastic bag that came with my Brent wheel. The oval whole on the bat seems to make the bat move around. I’m getting a sound when I try to center. I’m also having a hard time centering my clay. Is the bat the problem? Can I fix this?
Welcome to the wonderful world of pottery crafting. The oval hole on the bat is made to get the bat off the wheel pins. I use the bat mate. Here is the link for you geni.us/QqLcNYI You can also place a thin even amount of clay on the wheel to keep the bat from moving. 😊
I have been wanting to try a plaster batt. Love the "Batt tips" I mostly use the studio pro batt with inserts. Have a couple Masonite batts and then a few composite batts. I use the strong arm so put a ton more pressure while centering than I did before. So with that I am more likely push the clay and projectile it across my yard 🤣. It happens more on the Masonite batts or if I am trying to throw clay that has been sitting waiting its turn too long. Mostly happens with my t mix 6 or laguna speckled buff (evil stuff). 😈 Hope you have an amazing day Marie
Thank you, Kat. You're funny !!! 😀 My favorite is the Amaco Plasti bats. My friend has about 10 of the square 9-inch plastic bats with the 10-inch bat pinholes. She loves them. But if you want to throw those nice big pots you were making you would need at least 12-inch bats. 😍
Did you try a hydrobat yet? Not ever needing to wire off the form is always very helpful, but particularly when you're throwing something flat or that has a large base. I use the 14 and 16 inch ones all the time. Wishing right now I had way more of them.
My round Speedwell bat warped while sitting in my hot car 😢. Do you think it’s fixable? My supplies often have to stay in my car while at work. Any advice on how to prevent warping?
I would suggest trying to keep the bats on a flat surface in the car maybe in-between some heavy books . You may have to get the bat warm like setting it out in the sun then place a book on it then a rock or something like that. In this video I show how I tend to my warped bats , but none of them were speedball bats. Hope this helps 😊
Thank you Marie, What a great video! I was fortunate enough to find 25 bats at a yard sale about 4 years ago, there was a variety of Masonite and plastic bats (speedball and plasti bat) in various sizes. I did not know about the nuances of the holes. I did not know I should be cleaning those nibs. Mine are probably welded on by now. (5 years on the Mendocino coast and never cleaned) I am also guilty of not cleaning my bats and stacking them like plates. I learn so much from your videos and I agree with HEL IOS comment, you are very soothing to listen to. Question; At what point do YOU wire off your pots? Right away? Just set up? slightly leather hard? Lately I have been letting some release on their own and enjoy the smooth bottoms. Thank you again for sharing all your knowledge.
Thank you, Donna. 😍I'm glad it was helpful. I also like letting them release on their own but I also like trimming the bottoms. Yes, you will want to wire them off before they are leather hard because it becomes too hard to wire off. Once your clay is dry enough not to leave fingerprints you can wire it off your bat. Mendocino coast!!! That's Cool 😊
Great video! Thank you, Marie. I'm searching for written material that describes best studio practices in order to avoid silica dust. I use a community studio and they have clay covered wire shelving with fans at both ends for quick drying of thrown pieces. Basically blowing air on dried, crumbly clay. They think I'm just being neurotic about silica dust. They finally stopped sanding inside but I had to push for the sanding to not occur at the studio entryway. It's now a bit further away but they don't encourage people to wear at least an N95 (ideally a respirator). Many students and members are not away of safety precautions. I've searched online but haven't found any documentation regarding fans. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!
That is a very good question. Glad you asked. No, Mica power will burn away at such high temperatures. You would need mason stains or a powdered color that would say it is used for pottery clay. 😊
Hi Marie, i m considering buying a couple masonite bats to use on my "no pin wheel" . Should i buy bats that are a little wider in diameter than my wheel? Your bat in demo seems a bit larger than your wheel. Thanks so much.
Hello Marie again, do you have a trick to soften my clay in addition to kneading it in order to soften it, I have difficulty turning it and centering it, it is a little too firm. Thanks in advance
Yes, I do. I slice the clay and spray it down and water then rewedge it. If it's too hard I just dry it out and recycle it. I Have 2 videos on this. if you haven't seen them here are the links for you. ua-cam.com/video/2GXKaQIppuo/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/sHStLmaJADM/v-deo.html 😍
Thanks so much. I just bought plastic bats for the first time for my wheel. Attaching to the wheel now makes sense.
That is great Marilyn ! So glad to help. You are most welcome.
Marie speaks like the ladies on the craft parodies on SNL. Great channel.
😂😀😀 Thank you!
This was a Fun Video to make. Hope you enjoy 🙂 Make sure to *_leave a comment_*
You're so grounded and your talking soothes my ears, thanks for your videos ^_^
You are so welcome! That's great to hear😊
Your content is amazing ! Thank you
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you 👍
I have a portable Shimpo Aspire wheel so the varieties of bats I can use are very limited to what is available specifically for my wheel. It's an economical wheel which I've been using for 3 years and works great. At some point I suppose I will upgrade but my pottery studio is my patio and having a portable wheel makes much more sense than leaving a stationary wheel outside in the elements.
Thanks for the great bat tips Marie.
You're welcome 😊 I really like the Shimpo Aspire wheel. I was going to get one but the bats I had wouldn't fit the wheel. A portable wheel is a smart choice for you. Keep making that beautiful pottery 😊
If the Brent cart makes the Bat storage mobile does that make it a Batmobile???
Why yes. Yes it does. 😊👍
Now that’s funny
😆
Another bat tip. Don't use speedball bats when affixing to wheel with clay if you have no bat pins. Clean up is a nightmare! So many compartments on the bottom... Learned from experience!
Oh my goodness. Great tip Nancy. Speedball bats and clay pads don't get along 👍😀
Thanks, Marie, for a super clear, helpful video! I always learn new things from your videos. Thank you so much!
You are so welcome. Thank you MaryJean. 😍
My clay slipped off the bat several times this past week. All the instructions I found said to use a dry bat. I'll try lightly wetting it next time.
Hi Christine. Yes just a touch of water will do it. 👍
Great video! Are the Amaco plastibats the best choice for plastic bats when you don't have bat pins?
Thank you. Yes they are. 😊
Thank you so much Marie. Really appreciate you sharing your knowledge and your videos. So helpful for the newbie like me.
Welcome to the wonderful world of pottery crafting. Glad I can be helpful. Enjoy the journey. 😊
I dry my masonite bats with an old old upright file holder. You know, the one used with manila files and tons of paperwork? Got it at a thrift store!
That is a great tip! Thank you for sharing. 😊
Thank you so much for this video! It is so helpful. Have you ever tried to use a BatMate with the speedball plastic bats without pins? The studio I'm at doesn't have a standard wheel type and some have pin holes and others don't and I just want to make sure I can make it work!
Hi LiahLee. Thank you, glad to help. Yes, I have, but speedball bats have both 9 and 10-inch bat holes. The BateMate has 10-inch holes for bat pins. The batmate is made of thick shammy material, so you can just carefully cut a hole for the different size bat pins
@@PotteryCrafters Thank you so much Marie!
I love your videos! Do you have any tips for wheels with no pin holes? I want to avoid the plaster ones. xx
Thank you. Yes I do! Here is a link to the clay pad method. potterycrafters.com/how-to-use-bats-on-a-pottery-wheel/#:~:text=when%20in%20use.-,Clay%20Pad%20Method,-If%20your%20pottery
@@PotteryCrafters thank you!!!!!
Can you remove and add bag pins on a Brent wheel?
Hi Eliza. Good question. Yes, you can. I just replaced mine. They come off very easy. The bat pins are attached with wing nuts.
An other place where i order bats is Amaranthe stone wear in kingston Ontario affordable and all kind of bats.
Great. I do like the plastic bats the best. 😊
Immensely useful video 👍👍
Glad to hear that. Thank you Hand & Clay. By the way, Love your name. 😍
Hi! I’m fairly new to pottery and have been using the plastic bag that came with my Brent wheel. The oval whole on the bat seems to make the bat move around. I’m getting a sound when I try to center. I’m also having a hard time centering my clay. Is the bat the problem? Can I fix this?
Welcome to the wonderful world of pottery crafting. The oval hole on the bat is made to get the bat off the wheel pins. I use the bat mate. Here is the link for you geni.us/QqLcNYI You can also place a thin even amount of clay on the wheel to keep the bat from moving. 😊
Nice to learn pots can be dried on plastic bats. Thank you!
That's great to hear. Thank you Linda. 😊
I have been wanting to try a plaster batt. Love the "Batt tips"
I mostly use the studio pro batt with inserts. Have a couple Masonite batts and then a few composite batts. I use the strong arm so put a ton more pressure while centering than I did before. So with that I am more likely push the clay and projectile it across my yard 🤣. It happens more on the Masonite batts or if I am trying to throw clay that has been sitting waiting its turn too long. Mostly happens with my t mix 6 or laguna speckled buff (evil stuff). 😈
Hope you have an amazing day Marie
Thank you, Kat. You're funny !!! 😀 My favorite is the Amaco Plasti bats. My friend has about 10 of the square 9-inch plastic bats with the 10-inch bat pinholes. She loves them. But if you want to throw those nice big pots you were making you would need at least 12-inch bats. 😍
@@PotteryCrafters yea I have some 12 and 14 inch batts. Sad thing is one of my last throws cracked
Oh my goodness !!! That makes me think your strong arm just may crack the plaster bat when making a larger pot. 😍
@@PotteryCrafters it possibly could
Did you try a hydrobat yet? Not ever needing to wire off the form is always very helpful, but particularly when you're throwing something flat or that has a large base. I use the 14 and 16 inch ones all the time. Wishing right now I had way more of them.
My round Speedwell bat warped while sitting in my hot car 😢. Do you think it’s fixable? My supplies often have to stay in my car while at work. Any advice on how to prevent warping?
I would suggest trying to keep the bats on a flat surface in the car maybe in-between some heavy books . You may have to get the bat warm like setting it out in the sun then place a book on it then a rock or something like that. In this video I show how I tend to my warped bats , but none of them were speedball bats. Hope this helps 😊
Thank you Marie, What a great video! I was fortunate enough to find 25 bats at a yard sale about 4 years ago, there was a variety of Masonite and plastic bats (speedball and plasti bat) in various sizes. I did not know about the nuances of the holes. I did not know I should be cleaning those nibs. Mine are probably welded on by now. (5 years on the Mendocino coast and never cleaned) I am also guilty of not cleaning my bats and stacking them like plates. I learn so much from your videos and I agree with HEL IOS comment, you are very soothing to listen to. Question; At what point do YOU wire off your pots? Right away? Just set up? slightly leather hard? Lately I have been letting some release on their own and enjoy the smooth bottoms. Thank you again for sharing all your knowledge.
Thank you, Donna. 😍I'm glad it was helpful. I also like letting them release on their own but I also like trimming the bottoms. Yes, you will want to wire them off before they are leather hard because it becomes too hard to wire off. Once your clay is dry enough not to leave fingerprints you can wire it off your bat. Mendocino coast!!! That's Cool 😊
Great video! Thank you, Marie. I'm searching for written material that describes best studio practices in order to avoid silica dust. I use a community studio and they have clay covered wire shelving with fans at both ends for quick drying of thrown pieces. Basically blowing air on dried, crumbly clay. They think I'm just being neurotic about silica dust. They finally stopped sanding inside but I had to push for the sanding to not occur at the studio entryway. It's now a bit further away but they don't encourage people to wear at least an N95 (ideally a respirator). Many students and members are not away of safety precautions. I've searched online but haven't found any documentation regarding fans. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!
Thank you 😊 I have a post on it here is the link for you. potterycrafters.com/pottery-clay-dust-how-to-minimize-it/
hi hi hi i have another question what do you use to color your slip Mica powder is it good .
That is a very good question. Glad you asked. No, Mica power will burn away at such high temperatures. You would need mason stains or a powdered color that would say it is used for pottery clay. 😊
@@PotteryCrafters Thank you for this answer
You're welcome Robert 😊
Hi Marie, i m considering buying a couple masonite bats to use on my "no pin wheel" . Should i buy bats that are a little wider in diameter than my wheel? Your bat in demo seems a bit larger than your wheel. Thanks so much.
Very good question Janet. You can get a bigger bat as long as it fits your splash pan. I would measure your splash pan before you get one.😊
Hello Marie again, do you have a trick to soften my clay in addition to kneading it in order to soften it, I have difficulty turning it and centering it, it is a little too firm. Thanks in advance
Yes, I do. I slice the clay and spray it down and water then rewedge it. If it's too hard I just dry it out and recycle it. I Have 2 videos on this. if you haven't seen them here are the links for you. ua-cam.com/video/2GXKaQIppuo/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/sHStLmaJADM/v-deo.html 😍
Thank you again Marie.
🙏Thank you so much… a very usefull video as usual and it answered a lot of questions that i had on this topic
Your welcome. 😊 Glad it was helpful!
Thank you :)
You're welcome Kiran. 😍 It's always wonderful to hear from you. Hope you are well and crafting some beautiful pottery.
Do you have any idea what is the problem.