This page explains the different tools and materials that are common in a ceramic studio. Please browse the website and complete the worksheet that has been provided to you.

Worksheet

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TOOLS

KILN - A furnace or oven for burning, baking or drying, especially for firing pottery.

There are many different types of kilns, but we use Gas Kilns and Electric Kilns in our studio:

This is a GAS KILN. It uses gas/flames to heat up.

This is a ELECTRIC KILN. It plugs into an outlet and heats up using electricity.

These are some other types of kilns:

BOTTLE KILN

RAKU KILN

ANAGAMA KILN

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POTTERY WHEEL- is a machine used in the shaping (known as throwing) of round ceramic ware.

We use two types of wheels in class:

KICK WHEEL

ELECTRIC WHEEL

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LOOP TOOLS- Used for carving out large areas of clay... and carving details.

NEEDLE TOOL- Used for cutting clay and carving small details.

SERRATED RIB- Used for score and slipping and refining the surface.

METAL RIB- Used to scrape and smooth out the surface 

WOOD TOOL- Used to mold, scoop, and smooth out clay.

WIRE TOOL- Used to cut clay

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GLAZES

CONE 5 GLAZES- Fired to 2160 F. Can be fired in electric kilns. Glazes turn out consistently. (Used by Everyone)

CONE 10 GLAZES- Fired to 2340 F. Fired in gas kilns. When fired variation occurs and is more exciting. (Used by Ceramic Studio and AP only)

LOW FIRE GLAZES- Fired to 1900 F. Fired in electric kilns and very bright. (Not used in class, except for special request AP students)

UNDERGLAZES- Vivid colors that can be mixed and applied to greenware. Clear glaze on top will make it shiny. Fired to any temperature (Used by Ceramic Studio and AP only)

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WAX RESIST- Used during glazing to repel glaze and water.

GLAZE LADLE- Used to scoop glaze and poor onto piece.

Dipping Tongs- Used to hold onto pieces and dip into glaze.

THESE ARE ONLY THE BASICS OF THE TOOLS AND MATERIALS THAT CAN BE USED IN CERAMICS.