As potters, I feel like we’re always trying to create our own tools as a workaround to the real deal. Some things you’re better off buying from the source, say a wheel or even a loop tool. Yet, there’s a good chance you’d rather throw a chuck than buy a centering tool or pour your own plaster slabs rather than buy a wedging table.
After working as a studio tech throughout college, one of the tools I miss most is a rotary glaze sieve (I feel like a pugmill goes without saying). I can’t tell you how many days I’ve spent bent over a 5-gallon bucket with my rubber rib and 80-mesh sieve. Slowly passing glaze, ladle after ladle. That’s until a buddy William Duvall (@williamspottery) said I needed to stop messing around and buy a car wash drill attachment. I couldn’t believe my eyes! For a mere $10, you can turn any drill into a rotary tool to use with a standard sieve (1).
You can find these kits just about anywhere on the internet, and each brush fits a variety of drills (mine is for an impact drill). The trigger on my drill is super sensitive, so I’ll pour a few cups of glaze into my 80-mesh sieve and slowly spin the drill brush until all the glaze passes through (2). Save some time, your back, and most importantly your wallet. Thanks again, Will!
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As potters, I feel like we’re always trying to create our own tools as a workaround to the real deal. Some things you’re better off buying from the source, say a wheel or even a loop tool. Yet, there’s a good chance you’d rather throw a chuck than buy a centering tool or pour your own plaster slabs rather than buy a wedging table.
After working as a studio tech throughout college, one of the tools I miss most is a rotary glaze sieve (I feel like a pugmill goes without saying). I can’t tell you how many days I’ve spent bent over a 5-gallon bucket with my rubber rib and 80-mesh sieve. Slowly passing glaze, ladle after ladle. That’s until a buddy William Duvall (@williamspottery) said I needed to stop messing around and buy a car wash drill attachment. I couldn’t believe my eyes! For a mere $10, you can turn any drill into a rotary tool to use with a standard sieve (1).
You can find these kits just about anywhere on the internet, and each brush fits a variety of drills (mine is for an impact drill). The trigger on my drill is super sensitive, so I’ll pour a few cups of glaze into my 80-mesh sieve and slowly spin the drill brush until all the glaze passes through (2). Save some time, your back, and most importantly your wallet. Thanks again, Will!
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