How to Use Foot Tools
start a foot with your pot still on the bat
We offer five different Foot Tools here at Garrity Tools. Each Foot Tool creates unique forms at the base of your vessel and helps give your pots a visual lift. These tools also help you begin to shape the base before you start trimming - saving you time and effort.
There are only a few simple steps you need to follow to effectively use our Foot Tools. As with all of our tools, different potters use them in different ways.
Below is one way you can make use of the Foot Tools outlined in 5 steps:
You’ll need:
- A wedged hunk of clay
- A pottery wheel + bat
- A Foot Tool
- Water
- Sponge
- Any other tools you use at your wheel
step 1:
Center your clay.
step 2:
Create a cylinder in proportion to the size vessel you would like to create.
step 3:
Shape your vessel. Make sure that you have the majority of your piece in the final form you would like.
For most of our Foot Tools, you need to leave at least 1/2 inch at the bottom available press the tool into. If you look at the end of each tool, you can see the “cutout” that makes the foot and if there is any extra wood above that cutout this will add additional shape to your piece. Keep this in mind as you are planning your shape.
step 4:
Dip your Foot Tool in water and carefully press the end of the foot tool into the base of your piece.
To do this, keep the flat long edge of the tool pressed against the bat. Bring the short end to meet your clay. Having the short end meet your clay at a slight angle can help it run smoothly along your piece (keeping it flat on the bat, bring the end not touching the clay toward you to keep it from hitting the clay at a harsh 90 degrees).
step 5:
If you haven’t shaped or pulled up much clay from the base of your vessel, the Foot Tool will remove a lot of clay. You can use the tool this way, or before applying the Foot Tool, try and pull up more clay from the base so as not to waste too much of the material.
you did it:
Now you have a nice little shape at the base of your vessel. You can wire off your piece, and once its leather-hard this foot will help guide your trimming.