How to Use a Clay Slab Roller
Use a slab roller to create clay slabs that are even and uniform in thickness. A slab roller makes creating such slabs easier than other slab making techniques. You can then use these slabs to make a variety of ceramic forms. You can also use a slab roller to imprint interesting textures and designs into your clay slabs, as well as create different thicknesses of slabs, even if you can't adjust the slab roller itself.
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Instructions
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Flatten the clay slightly, either by pounding it with your hands or by throwing it at an angle onto a flat surface.
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2
Pull the roller bar all the way to one side by rolling the wheel.
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3
Place the canvas on the slab roller table.
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Place the clay on the canvas, more than half the length of the table away from the roller bar.
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5
Fold the canvas over the clay, with the fold several inches away from the clay.
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Roll the wheel the opposite direction from before to pull the roller bar over the clay.
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Roll the roller bar back over the clay.
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Remove the top layer of canvas and take the clay slab off the table.
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Tips & Warnings
After making a slab, place a doily or other flat, textured item on the slab and roll the roller bar over the clay again to make a textured clay slab.
If your slab roller lacks a height adjustment, adjust the thickness of the clay slab by placing thin boards the size of the table on the table before placing the canvas on the table.
Moving parts of the slab roller are heavy and can pinch and may cause serious injury. Keep hands clear from moving parts.
References
- Photo Credit ceramic flower pot image by Dumitrescu Ciprian from Fotolia.com
