Video: Using a Clay Slab Roller

A slab roller in used to flatten out a piece of clay evenly and quickly. Learn how to use one properly in this free video clip from a clay expert.

Video Transcript

There's a couple different kinds of slab rollers. Mine is the type with a stationary wheel that stays in the center and the clay moves back and forth. But, there are also slab rollers where the wheel itself move back and forth over the clay. All slab rollers have a way of adjusting for the thickness of the slab that you're going to make. This one has actual measurements written on the inside and then I can turn this knob back and forth in order to select the thickness of my slab. In this case, I'm going to ride in between one quarter and three-eighths of an inch. Now, if you're not sure how to adjust your slab roller just consult the manual. Because, they're all a little bit different. So, I'm going to take my prepared piece of slab and I'm going to lay it near the end of the piece of canvas that goes through this machine. And, then I'm going to lay another piece on top. Now, I've left a little bit on the edge here so that I can get it started through the wheel before I start actually rolling the slab. The reason for that, is with this particular type of slab roller if you start around the edge sometimes it pulls the clay down through the bottom. Because, there's two wheels here and an opening. And, once you've got it right up against there you just roll it through. Roll it back. And, you've got a very consistent thickness slab.

Using a Clay Slab Roller

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