by tom44 | Sep 7, 2018 | DIY Pottery
When it comes to learning how to make a DIY electric pottery wheel, there are a number of considerations that need to be made. There are those who may believe that making a reliable electric DIY pottery wheel is beyond their grasp. I myself used to believe that too, and not that long ago either. However, the process of creating a home made pottery wheel is much easier than you may have realized.
That’s why I am here to help out and share some tips with you on how to do this project. You do not have to be an expert as far as pottery or electrical knowledge is concerned and you do not need any prior experience. Learning how to make a DIY electric pottery wheel does not require any sort of massive tutorial.
It is important to remember that the electric wheel will be around water so you will need to take the proper precautions in order to avoid electrocution.
Other than that, the process is much easier than most realize. Be sure to read on and learn more about the best electric DIY portable pottery wheel and the steps that you can take in order to create one of your own.
Step 1: Gathering All of the Necessary Materials
Before you can get started in earnest, you need to make sure that you have all of the necessary tools. There are a few basic parts that those who are planning to create their own pottery wheel will need to gather in order to successfully complete the project in a timely fashion.
For starters, you are going to need a 3/8 drill bit. Once you have acquired this item, you are also going to require a decent amount of drywall screws. Grab a good sized handful so that you can be sure you have enough for the task at hand. Don’t worry about any overages. You can simply save these screws for other projects that you are going to complete.
After all, once you have learned how to make your own DIY pottery wheel, there is nothing that will be beyond your grasp. An old sewing machine pedal, a few wire nuts and and old drill are also needed. Get yourself some silicone caulk, a Lazy Susan (these are not that expensive, by the way), a carriage bolt and nuts and some extension cord receptacles as well. From there, you are good to go.
Step 2: Creating a Hole In Your Bucket
Obviously, the bucket is the centerpiece of the whole operation and it is impossible to proceed until you have procured the right one. Once you have obtained all of the items above, it is time to create a hole in your bucket. This is the step that just about anyone can accomplish, regardless of their skill level. Who can’t puncture a bucket if they need to?
However, it is important to note that there is a certain level of rhyme and reason taking place here. If you are using the typical five gallon bucket, there is a place where the hole can go that should be obvious to anyone with a functional set of eyes. There is a small molding mark on the vast majority of these buckets and this gives you an easy place to put your hole.
The hole should be 3/8″ once it is drilled and you will also need to drill a secondary hole roughly three quarters of the way down the bucket. This hole needs to be roughly 1/2″ wide so that the cord has plenty of space to go through. For those who have never taken on a task of this magnitude, this is one of the easiest steps of all.
Step 3: And Now….The Fun Can Truly Begin
This is where the true nitty gritty begins to take place. While just about anyone with functioning arms and legs can achieve the first two steps, this is where we separate the contenders from the pretenders. This is the step where the powered bit is going to come into play. Read closely because this is where mistakes are often made.
Don’t make the mistake of skimming and assuming that you are already well aware of how to handle this step. It is one of the most common mistakes that is made by those who wish to learn how to make their own DIY pottery wheel. The first and arguably most important thing that needs to be done is matching up the voltages.
The drill and the old foot pedal that you took from the old sewing machine will both need to be at the same level of voltage and amperage. If they are not, you are in for a world of hurt. In order to find out more about this aspect of the proceedings, you are going to need to look at the detail plates. They will let you know more about this important information.
Once you have taken a proper look at the detail plates, it is time to make sure that you are not going to catch on fire. Let’s say that you decide not to align the amperage and the voltage. You are actually placing yourself at serious risk. Overheating takes place when the amperage and voltage is not lined up. There is no reason to put yourself at increased risk by searching for wiggle room that simply is not there.
Make sure that to follow this particular step to the letter. If you do not, there is no telling what will happen next. With that being said, let us move on to the next step, shall we ?
Step 4: Time To Perform Plug Surgery
Pick up the plug that you are going to be using and take a moment to properly mark it. The two wires in the middle are the ones that are going to have to be marked because we will be returning to them later on. A failure to do will cause you a great deal of annoyance during the latter stages of the DIY pottery wheel building process.
For best results, use a Sharpie or a piece of tape as a means of marking the wires. Now, we are at the point where some whacking and chopping can finally be done. This may seem deceptively simple to some but we are urging you to pay close attention before any mistakes are actually made. It is not as simple as grabbing your cutting implements and hacking away.
The foot from the old sewing machine that you are using will now be operated on. You are going to have to cut this part so that the surgery can take place. Cutting the plug’s end off should leave you with two separate piles that are both going to play a rather important role during the steps that are still to come. The end of the power plug and the foot pedal both need to be kept safe in the meantime.
This is where the hole that you drilled into the side of the bucket is going to come in handy. Now, you are going to have your chance to thread the wires through this hole. Do you remember the part of this step where you were told to mark the plug? Hopefully, you listened. Now you can simply twist them together and from there, you can also wire nut them.
There is a slight possibility that these wires could get wet and that is the last thing that we want, right? That is why you are advised to use a little bit of silicon as a means of sealing up the connection. Grab a female extension cord plug at this time and wire the two wires inside of it. One wire will be attached to the silver colored screw and the other wire will be attached to the copper colored screw.
Depending on whether the foot pedal has a ground wire or not, you may also need to attach this wire to the green colored screw. If not, then this wire will not need any further assistance. Take the time to properly seal each and every one of your connections during this step because this will allow you to avoid the dangers of electricity.
It is now time to test it all out. Plug the drill into the receptacle and the speed control into the wall. This will let you know if you have handled everything correctly. The drill should be speeding up or slowing down, depending on how you are manipulating the pedal. If it is not working, this is a sure sign that you need to be resetting your connections.
Step 5: Creating The Spinning Part Of Your Wheel
This is where the Lazy Susan that you were instructed to obtain before is going to be used. Much like the bucket that you placed a hole in before, there is also going to be a molding mark on the Lazy Susan. Please drill the hole in the center at this time. Once you have accomplished this task, take a moment to remove the cover plug before proceeding.
Grab the carriage bolt and push it through from the top side. At this time, turn over the turn table. There should be some space around the bolt if you look down into the pivot. In order to seal it back into its proper home, you must slide the cape back down into the bolt.
The two 1/4″ nuts that you definitely have on hand are needed to complete this step as well. The first one is going to be used to seal the top of the Lazy Susan. Place the first one on and make sure that it is properly tightened. Use as many of the nuts as needed when it comes to making sure that it is tight enough. Don’t be afraid to use a little bit of elbow grease.
Step 6: Where It All Comes Together
This step does take a fair amount of ingenuity so be forewarned. It is not for the faint of heart. You have already made it this far and I have the utmost faith in you. The drill now must be mounted and it needs to be mounted at the correct angle. The drill needs to be centered and it must also be placed at a right angle in relation to the bottom of your bucket.
If you would like to make this step easier on yourself, there is nothing wrong with using a mounting bracket. Is there one in your drill case? If so, you are able to use that one. If not, feel free to procure one if it makes this step any easier for you to accomplish.
Lining up the drill is easier than you may think. The drywall screws can be used for this purpose and you can also utilize a 2 x 4 wood shim. The Lazy Susan also must be tended to. Don’t be shy about applying a generous amount of silicone to the back of the Lazy Susan. After that step is handled, place the Lazy Susan on top of the bucket.
The bolt must slide into the drill chuck and then it is time for the chuck to be tightened. You can now plug your drill into the receptacle of the peddle. Once the trigger has been pulled on the drill, you can then lock it into its full on position.
Step 7: And Now For The Truly Fun Part!
This is where the true joy will now begin. It is time to test out your DIY pottery wheel and make sure that everything is fully operational. This is the culmination of all your hard work. After you are satisfied with all of the operational testing procedures, it is time to take a closer look at your handiwork to make sure that there are no avoidable mistakes being made.
Finally, you will need to make sure that your silicone is dry before making the final adjustments. After the silicone has fully dried, you must take the time to spray the machine with water. This is how you are going to find any and all leaks that are taking place. It is a step that cannot be skipped for any reason so do not make the mistake of assuming your machine is free of leaks.
Even the most experienced builders construct machines with leaks and chances are high that you are not an expert. I know that I am certainly not !
If any leaks are discovered, simply patch them up with silicon and you are good to go. Now that you have finished your DIY pottery wheel, it is time to put it into action. Take this time to go make some awesome gifts for your friends and loved ones.
As you can see, the process of creating your own pottery wheel is actually much simpler than you may have realized. While there are certain steps that need to be taken that will be more complex than others, there is nothing wrong with taking your time and reading the directions carefully.
No prizes are going to be given out for speed. There is also nothing wrong with asking questions at your local arts and crafts stores and hardware suppliers. Chances are high that there will be people there who have handled projects like these in the past and I have usually found that they are typically more than willing to help.
In the meantime, embrace the process and have a little fun with it. In time, you will find yourself wondering why you never decided to take on a project like this one in the past.
Thanks to this helpful guide I have presented to you here, the process of creating your own pottery wheel has never been simpler !
by tom44 | Aug 22, 2018 | DIY Sculpting
Welcome to my guide on the best Dremel tool for crafts. I hope I can provide you with some useful info here.
Dremel tools are rotary tools that can be used for making crafts which involve cutting, sanding, polishing, and engraving on materials like seashells, stones, beach glass, jade, wood, metal and many other materials.
The best Dremel tool for you is the one that best suits the requirements of your projects.
Unfortunately, there are so many Dremel tools available that picking the right tool may be difficult for an average user. So, I wrote this post to outline the purchasing criteria for the tool before listing out the features of some of the best Dremel tools.
Two Major Types
There are 2 major types of Dremel tools and they are the Cordless Dremel tool and the Electric Dremel tool. Each of them has its pros and cons.
The electric tool is powered by electricity and it has to be plugged to an outlet while in use. You can use it for as long as possible but the problem is that it has limited mobility. Once plugged, there is a limit to how you can move around.
Secondly, it can only be used where there is an outlet. It can’t be used while in camp. Its third advantage is that it is lighter than the cordless tool because it does not have a rechargeable battery in it.
The cordless tool is powered by a rechargeable battery so it can be used anywhere. It is very portable. However, it is heavier than the electric tool because of its rechargeable battery. Its major con is that it gives users limited time to work as the battery will get weaker with use.
You may need to purchase an additional battery and get it fully charged before you begin your project.
Your choice should be based on the length of the project and where you intend to execute it.
It is important to bear in mind that different tools are meant for specific projects. Some of them are suited for woodwork while some are best suited for glass and others are best suited for metal work. So, your projects should determine your choice of Dremel tool.
Dremel tools have a wide variety of accessories and you may get tempted to buy as many accessories as possible. But it really does not make a lot of sense to buy accessories that you won’t use. Purchasing of accessories should be based on the kind of projects you do and the accessories useful for the project.
Dremel tools usually have about 50 to 100 accessories and beginners are often tempted to buy all of them. It is better to make do with the accessories that come with the Dremel tool, you can buy more later when you need them.
Without further ado, here are some great Dremel tools and their features.
1. Dremel 100
This tool is about the best Dremel tool for beginners. You only need to remember that when your level of proficiency increases, you may need to upgrade this tool to another one. It has a small gear and can handle a bit of different crafts but it is a master of none so, don’t expect it to deliver any super-fine engraving work. If lower cost is your major determinant, this should be your best bet since it is one of the cheapest models.
Its pros are its compactness and simplicity. Being easy to understand are some of the reasons it is the best for beginners. In addition, it comes with all the basic accessories.
It has a few cons too. Its low power makes it a bad option for carving and cutting because these crafts require high power. Secondly, it has a single speed that is too high for super-fine work. Nevertheless, it is still a good buy in spite of its drawbacks.
2. Black & Decker RTX
This is an improvement on Dremel 100. It has better speed controls and better grip. It is also supports virtually all Dremel accessories. For several reasons, this tool is adjudged to be the best entry level Dremel tool.
Its major pro is that it offers an excellent power/weight ratio and it is better than both Dremel 100 and Dremel 200. Its compactness makes it a good option for pen-style use. While it is durable when used as a hobby, it may breakdown when subjected to serious usage. So, it is recommended for only learners. In addition, it is not great for rough work.
3. Dremel 3000
This is superior to both Dremel 100 and 200 but you can’t say it is better because it begins the series of tools that are fantastic at cutting and carving but poor at engraving. This is why the project at hand should always determine your choice of Dremel tool. Even though Dremel 3000 is more expensive and more superior than/to Dremel 100, any user who buys it for engraving will blame himself badly.
With its larger motor, this tool produces more power but it is also much larger and heavier. It may also not be a good choice for you if you will be moving it around often. Its variable speed control works just fine. Overall, it is still a good performer. Although it is not so good for engraving, you can get its best engraving output at medium speed. On the other hand, all its speeds are great for carving but its topmost speed is the best for carving.
Its major pros are its high power and high speed. Although it is best for cutting and carving, you can use it for engraving too if you are not looking for a perfect output. It also has a big drawback. It is not powerful enough for long-duration rough work.
4. Dremel 4000
This Dremel tool is not only larger, it is also more powerful than the other models outlined above. As fantastic as it is, due to its large size, it can’t be used for pen-style operation. While it does a good carving job, it is actually made for cutting. It is virtually the best Dremel tool for cutting. This tool is a great option for rough work but a bad one for perfect output.
It is also useful for removing the grout between tiles in construction. It is good at slow speed and very powerful at top speed. It does a great job for drilling, carving, and of course, cutting. Its cons are its poor engraving job and its large size that makes it cumbersome to carry around. It also makes so much noise while in use. You may have to use earplugs when using it.
5. Dremel 4200
This tool is very similar to Dremel 4000. The only difference between the two of them is that Dremel 4200 comes with a toolless chuck. The chuck is a lever that opens and closes and makes the use of wrench unnecessary. This improvement is a real big one. Its major pro apart from what Dremel 4000 offers is the toolless chuck.
It is still as large and heavy as Dremel 4000 so it is also difficult to carry around. It is no longer in production as the newer Dremel 4300 is a better product in all terms.
6. Dremel 4300
This is more powerful and better than Dremels 4000 and 4200 and it is smaller in size and lighter in weight. It has a three-jaw chuck which is better than Dremel 4200’s toolless chuck. It also has a LED work light. It is adjudged to be the best among the 4000 series. Amazon offers low prices on all dremel tools – check their current price of the Dremel 4300 here. It is great at engraving, carving, and grinding and it works even faster. Well, if you may not need all the additional features of this tool, you can still go for Dremel 4000 whose price is lower.
Its major pro is that it is smaller than other tools in the 4000 series but it is more powerful than the rest. It is also the only one with a 3-jaw chuck and LED work light. This one may very well be the best Dremel tool for crafts, in my humble opinion.
Even though it is smaller than others in the 4000 series, it is still large and heavy when compared to lower models like Dremel 100 and 200.
Conclusion
In conclusion, for commercial use, it is important that you have a Dremel 100 and Dremel 4000/4300. If you are a DIY user, you need to start with Dremel 100 and then upgrade to Dremel 4000 or higher when you become good enough for tougher craft making projects.
by tom44 | Aug 16, 2018 | DIY Pottery
The glazes that work well together on ceramics tend to be of different varieties, since each one fulfills a special function and generates a different effect on the ceramic. This is something that all the pros with years of experience know about, but it is something that even a newbie will be able to learn, understand, identify and put into practice.
So, in this post, I will talk a little about the types of glazes that exist for ceramics and some that work very well together, so that the finish that the piece has is quite striking since that is what we look for when applying the glaze.
There are many reasons why we could decide to apply glaze to our ceramic pieces, either because we want it to have a different effect, so that it highlights a specific color or that its brightness is simply greater.
Anyway, if we need any of these things, all we have to do is go to any hardware store and ask for the glaze we want, be it a transparent glaze or any other one we choose.
Colors
There are some colored glazes that help to highlight more the base color of a ceramic piece. For example, if we have a ceramic cup that is entirely blue, we can buy a blue glaze so that both the brightness and the color are high in the piece. In the same way, we can get glazes of all kinds of colors that we can use on all kinds of pieces. So we do not have any kind of restriction when it comes to ceramic glaze, in fact, we have a wide range of glazes that will allow us to let our imagination fly before putting our hands in action.
Power, Liquid or Suspension Forms
One of the main classifications that glazes possess is the division of the same depending on their form or presentation, whether in powder, suspension or liquid. Those that come in powder simply must be mixed in water at the time of the glaze process, while those in liquid and in suspension forms are almost ready to be used on ceramic pieces.
Baking Time
They are also classified and divided depending on the length of time in which they require for baking. The choice of any ceramic glazes will depend for the most part on the type of pieces that we are going to glaze and the length of time that they should bake. So, after these main classification criteria there all kinds of glazes with beautiful effects that will help create impressive ceramic pieces.
Now, as I mentioned, there are transparent glazes and glazes with colors. While it is true that transparent glaze is usually the most used, and preferred by all thanks to its simplicity and the brightness that can be given to any type of piece. But we can also choose between other types of glazes if what we want is an interesting change from the common and every day ceramic items, generating an unexpected effect on the ceramic itself.
This is how we can get interesting glazes with crackle effects, mottled, that will give an appearance to the ceramic piece as if a rain of colors had passed over it. We can start playing with these types of glazes and create combinations that allow us to unleash our imagination, and be able to capture and create what we want the ceramic piece to be. Like these, you also find glazes that generate gout effects, some with gorgeous matte colors.
There are also some translucent glazes that can be perfectly combined with some colors, in such a way that in the final result we can see a layer of colorful glitters, which also allows us to see the original background of the piece. This last type of glaze can create wonderful effects in ceramic pieces for the kitchen such as plates, cups, water pitchers and many others items.
The glazes with colors can also have a beautiful result when placed together, giving the piece first a layer of the color and then the transparent, so that the brightness and depth of color we are going to use is much more striking.
In the same way, it is good to place a layer of transparent glaze to any ceramic that has been glazed with other effects, because this will cause it to have double brightness, something that usually gets a lot of attention from people. I came to realize that the transparent glaze is one of the best that can be combined with others. Learning the glazes that work well together on ceramics is sometimes a game of trial and error.
The same thing can happen with the glaze with crackle effect, since we can give it a layer of this effect, on some of matte, of drops, of crystals and so on, because it will allow the vision that we obtain from the main glaze to be different. It can also look good on ceramic ornaments that are large, so that the way in which the effects (other than the glazes with which it has been covered) are better seen and appreciated.
If you want to be a little more creative, what you can do is mix the glazes that you want and try out what kind of defects are emerging on the ceramics, because in the midst of that spill of inspiration will generate effects that are quite beautiful and that we want to continue implementing in other pieces of ceramics.
Let Your Imagination Run Wild
All the available types of glazes that exist today will easily allow us to give free rein to our imagination and be able to mix whatever we want to generate different effects on any type of ceramic piece.
It can be something quite fun to do and we can do it with our relatives or loved ones, to have quality time together and create original and unique items as a family. Especially with the smallest member of the household, who usually has an imagination greater than our own.
Do not stop mixing glazes, effects and colors, because these will allow you to try new things and give a touch of originality to everything you do. Don’t be afraid to experiment in order to learn the glazes that work well together on ceramics.
This is especially true when working with ceramic creations and selling them, because they can have unique and gorgeous effects that you create with these mixtures of glazes, which can make your business go much better. This way they will obtain more of a reputation for originality and people will want to buy their ceramics in bulk quantities from you.
Do not be afraid the next time you want to sit down to mix layers of different glazes. In fact, you should dare yourself to do it. We should not be afraid to let our imagination run free and let it send orders to our brain, since, after all, the greatest works of art were born as a simple experiment, a small practice in releasing creativity.
So it’s time for you to motivate yourself and start mixing some glazes for your ceramics. Get started today ! You may also enjoy reading about sculpting wood with a Dremel
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