This is the king pin of all rolling pins. I recently bought this 18 inch stainless steel rolling pin and hoped it would be functional for clay. It definitely is! It's a Winware which I purchased on
Amazon. It wasn't inexpensive but considering I use it almost every day the cost is well worth it to me. The reason for an 18 inch rolling pin is so the clay slab I roll won't get any creases from the edge of the pin.
It has enough weight to make rolling a thick piece of clay into a nice big slab of clay. I have a slab roller but I have gotten used to using a rolling pin. I flip my slab over and rotate it as I roll it out so the clay is rolled in all directions. So far this works out well for me getting slabs that don't warp. I like rolling my slabs on a sheet of fiberboard; the clay doesn't stick to it and I can wipe it clean to reduce dust. I've been using the same piece of fiberboard for years.
It rolled the clay into an even thickness all around. I don't use sticks to keep the slab even I never have but this rolling pin did the job even better than previous pins I've used. It's doesn't stick to the clay and it's easy to wipe clean.
I place the slab of clay on a piece of sheet rock or wall board (taped on the edges so no plaster gets in the clay). I put the sheet rock on a plastic shelf with grids so that air can circulate around and the slab will firm up quicker. I also dry flat pieces of work on sheetrock and periodically gently slide them to another piece of dry sheetrock to aid in the drying of the bottom of the work.
Here's wishing you a Happy St. Patrick's Day and good luck with this
four leaf clover. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
A large, heavy rolling pin is such an asset to a potter. I'll bet that steal clean up nicely too.
ReplyDeleteLinda, thanks for this. I think I may order one of those. I don't do much handbuilding, but I do like to do some (since I can't throw) as making my pottery cabochons and jewelry can be tedios work!! I am not fond of my little slab roller and this looks like just the ticket! Feel like I took a miniclass. thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tool. I'm not doing much rolling at home, since the community studio has a big slab roller, and I just truck a dry-wall home with fresh slabs when I want. Can't wait to see what you're up to now that you've got a new tool!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great - and I am soooo looking forward to seeing what it helps you create.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, thanks, it's easy to wipe clean. I've never liked the wood ones as the clay gets embedded in the grain.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennie, thanks, glad you liked the post, the rotating of the slabs when rolling really helps.
Hi Barbara, thanks, I used to do that too, take slabs home but they were so heavy and not good to carry with my back since the classroom was so far from the parking lot.
Hi Elephant's Child, thanks, been thinking of lots of new work but gardening and home projects are pulling me in other directions too. ha.
is it actual stainless steel or aluminum ?
ReplyDelete