Ceramic Cutters & Tools
Ceramics and ceramic tiles are hard, durable materials that require special tools to be cut and shaped. This is true when working with ceramics that have already been made and in the creation of ceramic pottery. Potters work with tools built specifically to cut and form the wet clay to create ceramic goods. Builders must use tools that specialize in applying the pressure necessary to precisely cut pieces of hardened ceramic into their desired shapes.
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Ceramic Tile Cutting Tools
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Hand held tools allow a builder to work directly with ceramics without the use of power saws. These non-electric tools include chisels, utility knives, rod saws, chipping hammers, hand jamb saws and hole saws. These require precision when working with ceramic tiles and need a steady hand and thorough calculations to make a successful cut. Electric ceramic tile cutting tools perform the same jobs as manual cutting tools, but offer more speed, precision and ease of use. These electric cutters may be hand-held or free-standing stations.
Tile Cutters
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Manual tile cutters like the Sigma brand cutter are designed to quickly and efficiently cut ceramic tiles through a specific mechanism. With cutters like the Sigma, a hardened disc-shaped blade marks the cut when you lift the machine's handle. Two arms then apply pressure to snap the tile into two pieces along the mark when you lower the handle. These tile cutters are made to be placed on a table top and offer adjustments and measurements for angled cuts.
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The Pottery Wheel
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A major tool in ceramics creation is the pottery wheel. This tool is used primarily to create free-standing objects like cups, bowls, vases and jars. Sometimes the wheel is used in sculpture as well. The pottery wheel is a horizontal disc that spins at a rapid speed controlled by the potter. The potter works the clay into shape with her hands, pulling and pressing while the wheel is spinning to obtain the desired form. After the wheel is no longer needed, the shaped clay will be embellished, glazed and fired in a kiln to be made into its finished form.
Other Ceramic Pottery Tools
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Special tools are needed to cut, shape and decorate ceramics when they are being made. Tools such as pattern cutters, potters knives and potters ribs are made to decorate, cut and shape clay items while the material is still wet. Hook tools are sharp and angled to carve wet ceramics. Clay cutters are long pieces of wire with handles on the end. These are used while the clay is in its most primitive block shape before being put on the pottery wheel, as well as when it clay is being worked on the wheel.
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References
- Photo Credit pottery image by Avesun from Fotolia.com
