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K.X. STUDIO'S,Inc.

Blll & Kim

Post Office 0000

Largo,Florida 33770

USA

727-585-7627

An ILLUSTRATED TUTORIAL

BALL OPENER

A MUST FOR OPENING 15 OR MORE POUNDS ON THE POTTER'S WHEEL

[ 7 KILOS ]

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An attatchment to the potters wheel used to center and open large balls of clay; quickly and efficiently. I first saw one of these in a catalog; July 1973. It was expensive. Even though, it was made from an exotic fruit wood; I passed. Years later, I saw a home made one at an Appilatian potter's roadside shed. WOW ! I was impressed. It was made from modest materials and easy to reproduce.
I bought one. “ Oh man, it worked great ! ”
Then, some years later. I moved and could not find it. I found an inspiring hinge at a yard sale and a perfect piece of yellow pine [ wood ] in the trash along the road somewhere. I made this ball opener, under a shade tree in a few hours.
For now, all I can offer you are images from various views. I aspire to learn how to diagram it in a drawing program and make a PDF.
Then, you can download the plans.
Just scroll down. You may be able to make one just by seeing it closely.

Here it is,open.

This is the post the ball opener arm pivits on. It is a 3/4 inch [ 2 cm ] pipe and flange. It is screwed to the table of the wheel with rust resistant screws. I feel it should be put to the back left corner. Because, I am right handed. I have seen the store bought openers mounted in the middle of the table area. That wastes valuable space and is not necessary. Please notice the 1 inch PVC pipe pieces stacked on the post. These are bushings used to gauge the height on the opener ; relative to the wheel head.

This is a close up of the assembly that holds vertical wooden post that opens the ball of clay. Here, it is on its back. It is on the same side of the armiture as the operator. The next image is an exploded view.

The sizes of these pieces are relative; as long as it works.

HINGE; 1/2 dollar[ US ] at a yard sale.

Nice hinge. Notice the square piece of wood screwed. It helps control the arm from rotating. Like your wrist. You really DO NOT want it to rotate. That would make the bottom uneven. It also helps accomidate the screws for the hinge.

This view is a bit wierd. It is foreshortened. It is a nice shot of the hinge. The arm is going directly away from you.
P.S. A ball opener was used to make the large JUGHEADS

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