PMEA-201 Clay Slab Cutter or Circular Clay Cutter. The structure consists of a main shaft with a numerical scale, a black pointed conical center pin, and a stainless steel needle for scoring clay. The radius can be adjusted and locked with a brass threaded nut on the side.
Correct Usage
1. Set the width: Loosen the brass threaded nut and slide the cutter head to adjust the radius according to the scale on the shaft to achieve the desired circle size. Then tighten the nut firmly.
2. Pin the center point: Prepare a rolled clay slab. Then, insert the pointed black conical pin into the center of the clay slab to serve as a rotating axis for stability.
3. Rotate to cut a circle: Apply gentle pressure on the central shaft, then hold the end of the scale shaft and "rotate it 360 degrees". The sharp metal needle will cut through the clay slab, forming a perfect and symmetrical circle immediately without prior drawing.
This tool significantly saves potters time and effort in making these pieces.
- Making bases for artworks: Used to cut circular clay slabs for forming the bases of cups, bowls, cylindrical shapes, or round vases using the slab building technique.
- Making lids for vessels: Used to cut circular clay slabs to prepare for making lids for jars, teapots, or various ceramic boxes, ensuring a precise and perfectly round fit for the vessel.
- Making ceramic plates or clocks: Cut wide clay slabs to invert and shape on a plaster mold (Press Mold) for making dinner plates, or drill a hole in the center to create a wall clock face.
Additional Information
- More precise circles than cutting by hand: Cutting with a knife around an inverted cup or bowl often leads to uneven edges. This tool maintains the cutting needle at a constant 90-degree angle to the clay slab. The cut circular edges are therefore smooth, neat, and evenly proportioned all around.
- Recommended clay consistency: Best suited for cutting on clay slabs that are "soft to slightly leather-hard" (right after rolling the clay or left to dry slightly). The needle will glide smoothly through the clay, the cut will not chip, and the clay will not stick or distort.