Follow the instructions below to convert an off-the-shelf camping table with a sink into a hose-connected studio sink and clay trap.
A common issue for home pottery studios is figuring out a plumbing system capable of handling water mixed with clay or glaze. While there are specialized sinks designed for pottery studios, they can be quite expensive and simpler solutions like using
a sponge and water bucket can get cumbersome quickly.
I recently came across a Reddit post in the r/pottery Subreddit that showed a fellow ceramic artist repurposing a commercially available camping table with a built-in sink in their pottery studio. I found this to be a brilliant idea because it offers
a budget-friendly and simple setup that provides running water in your home pottery studio—all you need are a few materials and access to a hose with running water.
Below, I’ll outline how I implemented this setup in my own home pottery studio, complete with a DIY sink trap, to create a functional, cost-effective sink solution.
Materials and Tools
Commercial camping/fish-cleaning portable table with built-in sink (includes drain stopper, faucet, faucet attachments, and drainage attachment) ($100)
2 buckets of varying heights that fit underneath the sink table ($20)
Optional lid for the larger bucket ($5)
Optional bin for overflow protection, capable of holding the two buckets listed above ($20)
PVC pipe (to be placed outside of the bigger bucket) and threaded PVC connector (to be placed inside of the bigger bucket) for water flow ($1). Note: Varying sizes and shapes will work, just ensure your two pieces fit together. I used an elbow-shaped
PVC pipe with a 1½-inch (3.8-cm) diameter.
Drill
Hole saw drill bit that will cut the same diameter of your PVC pipe ($10)
Optional sealant for PVC pipe to prevent leaks ($7)
Hose
Access to a nearby water source
Faucet and Sink Trap
To start, I assembled the portable table with a built-in sink, following the instructions provided. This involved setting up the faucet, faucet attachments that connect to a hose for the water supply, and the drain attachment.
Next, I set up a DIY sink trap underneath the sink (1) using two buckets, a PVC pipe, and a threaded PVC connector (2). The purpose of using two buckets here is so that the first bucket can capture clay, glaze, and other smaller materials that may enter
the sink. This debris will sink to the bottom of the first bucket, allowing clean water to flow into the second bucket, which can then be reused in the pottery studio.
To do this, I marked a spot on the bigger bucket to place the PVC pipe that was taller than the second bucket. I used the hole-saw drill bit to drill a circular hole in the bigger bucket. Before drilling, ensure that the hole-saw drill bit matches the
size of your PVC pipe exactly, as this will need to be a tight fit so the flowing water does not leak. I placed the threaded PVC connector on the inside of the bucket, with an elbow-shaped PVC pipe on the outside of the bucket, and once I ensured
this was a good fit, I used a sealant for further leak protection.
I then placed these two buckets inside my bin, arranged them underneath the sink, and fed the drainage attachment tube into the first bucket (3, 4). Optionally, you can place a lid on your larger bucket, drill another circular hole in the top of this
lid, and put the drainage attachment through the hole for added security.
Attaching the Hose
Once you have the sink set up, you can connect your hose to the faucet attachment (5), turn on your hose, turn on the faucet, and you’ll have flowing water! You can leave your hose connected or detach it after each use. Either way, I like to ensure
that the hose is turned off once I am done using the sink. Water will not flow if the faucet itself is turned off, even if the hose is still on (6).
It is important to still conserve water and keep an eye on the water levels in the buckets below your sink. It may be helpful to add additional levels of buckets, depending on how often you are using your sink. You can reuse this water in other areas
of your pottery studio or properly dispose of it.
If you are limited on space, you can also consider placing the buckets or the entire setup on casters for easy relocation.
the author Hannah Watts is a potter and fiber artist living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Follow @never.odd.or.even.studioon Instagram to see her work and for other pottery tips.
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Follow the instructions below to convert an off-the-shelf camping table with a sink into a hose-connected studio sink and clay trap.
A common issue for home pottery studios is figuring out a plumbing system capable of handling water mixed with clay or glaze. While there are specialized sinks designed for pottery studios, they can be quite expensive and simpler solutions like using a sponge and water bucket can get cumbersome quickly.
I recently came across a Reddit post in the r/pottery Subreddit that showed a fellow ceramic artist repurposing a commercially available camping table with a built-in sink in their pottery studio. I found this to be a brilliant idea because it offers a budget-friendly and simple setup that provides running water in your home pottery studio—all you need are a few materials and access to a hose with running water.
Below, I’ll outline how I implemented this setup in my own home pottery studio, complete with a DIY sink trap, to create a functional, cost-effective sink solution.
Materials and Tools
Faucet and Sink Trap
To start, I assembled the portable table with a built-in sink, following the instructions provided. This involved setting up the faucet, faucet attachments that connect to a hose for the water supply, and the drain attachment.
Next, I set up a DIY sink trap underneath the sink (1) using two buckets, a PVC pipe, and a threaded PVC connector (2). The purpose of using two buckets here is so that the first bucket can capture clay, glaze, and other smaller materials that may enter the sink. This debris will sink to the bottom of the first bucket, allowing clean water to flow into the second bucket, which can then be reused in the pottery studio.
To do this, I marked a spot on the bigger bucket to place the PVC pipe that was taller than the second bucket. I used the hole-saw drill bit to drill a circular hole in the bigger bucket. Before drilling, ensure that the hole-saw drill bit matches the size of your PVC pipe exactly, as this will need to be a tight fit so the flowing water does not leak. I placed the threaded PVC connector on the inside of the bucket, with an elbow-shaped PVC pipe on the outside of the bucket, and once I ensured this was a good fit, I used a sealant for further leak protection.
I then placed these two buckets inside my bin, arranged them underneath the sink, and fed the drainage attachment tube into the first bucket (3, 4). Optionally, you can place a lid on your larger bucket, drill another circular hole in the top of this lid, and put the drainage attachment through the hole for added security.
Attaching the Hose
Once you have the sink set up, you can connect your hose to the faucet attachment (5), turn on your hose, turn on the faucet, and you’ll have flowing water! You can leave your hose connected or detach it after each use. Either way, I like to ensure that the hose is turned off once I am done using the sink. Water will not flow if the faucet itself is turned off, even if the hose is still on (6).
It is important to still conserve water and keep an eye on the water levels in the buckets below your sink. It may be helpful to add additional levels of buckets, depending on how often you are using your sink. You can reuse this water in other areas of your pottery studio or properly dispose of it.
If you are limited on space, you can also consider placing the buckets or the entire setup on casters for easy relocation.
the author Hannah Watts is a potter and fiber artist living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Follow @never.odd.or.even.studio on Instagram to see her work and for other pottery tips.
Unfamiliar with any terms in this article? Browse our glossary of pottery terms!
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