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Making flat lids that fit
- Throw the part with the flange first and measure it
right away. I usually cut my pots off the wheel and set them
on clean, dry newspaper. When I measure them I mark the
measurement on the paper. Then I throw the second part.
- The measurement on paper is good in two respects. First,
you can change your calipers from inside to outside
measurement or vice versa. Second, if you accidentally bump
your calipers (I have many times and no doubt you will), you
can readjustment them to marks that are not shrinking.
- I would never recommend this, but you could actually
remake ˝ of your covered container later if you have “just
thrown” diameter marks on paper.
- When the lid is leather hard, cut a channel from the
bottom of the lid into the knob cavity with a knife or use a
needle tool or pencil point to make a hole.
- Do NOT put the lid on the base until both are at the
same stage of leather hard.
- Resist the temptation to alter lids and bottoms to fit
while they are leather hard. Clay shrinks so much while
drying that parts may appear to not fit because one is still
quite a bit wetter than the other, even though they seem the
same. If you have made your initial measurements and
adjustments carefully, all will be well.
- Equally dry pots can be adjusted for a better fit if the
lid with a touch of sandpaper or by twisting the lit in its
seat.
Important: When sanding dry clay, always ware a mask
and work in a well-ventilated area or out of doors.
- Inside diameter measurements are made with the calipers
closed and crossed over themselves until the points are the
size of the inside opening.
- Outside diameter measurements are taken with the
calipers opened up so the ends can measure the outside edge
of the lid, which must fit into the lip opening in the pot
and rest on the flange.
- Before cutting off, throw the mound in the center into a
knob. Then cut the lid off the bat and let it rest on the
bat until it is leather hard.
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Drop lids
- Throw the lid first.
- Throw a sturdy know so you can lift the lid into the
opening of the bottom to measure without calipers.
- Do NOT let the two wet pieces touch.
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Drop lid pots
The Lid
- You don’t need calipers for this lid. Make the lid with
a sturdy knob so you can easily lift it.
- When making the bottom of the pot the lit itself will be
used to size the opening in the lip of the bottom.
- To make the lid, open, leaving a medium small mound of
clay (1 to 2 inches in diameter) in the center. Next, pull a
wall with a sharp angle outward from the vertical.
- Open the center and make a knob. Then cut the lid off
the wheel and set aside.
The Bottom
- Make the inside angle of the top lid of the pot less
vertical than the angle of the outer wall of the lid. That
way the lid can snuggle down into the taper of the lid.
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Flat Lid Pots
- Throw the bottom with a flange at the lip to hold the
lid. Keep the lip double thick so you can split it and push
the inside down to create the flange where the lid will
rest.
- Measure the inside lip diameter where the lid will fit
with calipers as soon as you have finished throwing the
bottom.
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