Hi, this is Wayne again with a topic “Primitive Technology: Pottery Wheel”.
Getting timber for the rotor For a clean cut score around the stem, with a stone blade before breaking 25 cm long Shave off bark Fire sharpen tip Wood for frame Split timber with stone, chisel. The frame Fire sharpen stakes Stone, bearing block for rotor Cast iron knife used as an awl How the frame is to be formed. Clay from sedimentation pit Grog for clay, ( old, broken pottery, ), Crushing grog Mix grog into clay Just add enough grog to stop the clay cracking as it dries too. Much makes the clay weaker and harder to shape A flat clay table to form clay on. Forming the turn table for the pottery Forming a socket for the rotor to fit into.
Assembling the frame Cordage to lash the frame together Digging a pit for the bearing block. A strip of cane Bending the strip and attaching it to the frame Sliding rotor between the cane and wooden frame. Now the table has turned Wood ash. To stop the clay sticking Clay on table forming a pinch pot Being able to turn the pot makes it easier to shape the sides without shifting positions..
The pot turns about a central point, making this a true potters wheel, (, as opposed to a batter plate turned on the ground. ). The walls are built up with a coiling technique., Adding a lip Finished pot. The whole pot and table can be lifted to dry inside the hut, ( out of the rain ).
The pot is further dried. Next to the fire, A small kiln is built from bricks. The 1st layer is the air entry, 2nd layer is for wood, and other layers are for the ware chamber Putting in the turn table for firing. Then the pot then a dish on top to keep the heat in Fire by friction.
Fire is pushed into air entry to begin the firing. Then fire wood is inserted through the perpendicular openings. Above once, the fire is going ( wood on a grate burns hotter than wood on the ground, as the air comes up through it, better ) Tiles used to cover the kiln to help keep the heat in The pot must glow at least red hot, to be Properly fired other wise, it may dissolve in water The fired pot Water test. The turn table has cracks in it due to it’s proximity to the firebox, but might still work.
It’S now stored in the hut, along with the wooden frame for later use. .