ball.opening.04.html

Now that your ball is
centered, flattened and squared...
You are about to plunge the shaft of the opener into the ball of clay.
First, lubricate the top of the ball and the shaft of the ball opener with some slurry.


	READY

At last, the ball is ready


WASH	WASHING	DRY

NEXT, WASH YOUR HANDS
Opening the ball only takes a few minutes.
By the time you get back to the opener, the clay from your slurry ladden hands that is all over the ball opener will be
dry, crusty and flakey.
The clay will not come off the ball opener easily.
The solution to this problem is to wash and scrub your hands before you handle the opener.
Keep a 5 gallon wash bucket of water within one step of your wheel.
These three images are intended to emphasize the importance and convience of keeping your tools and yourself clay free.


	INSERTING		OPENING

Before inserting the ball opener into the ball of clay, make an indentation in the center of the ball with both thumbs.
The wheel should be turning at a moderate speed as you slowly lower the shaft down into the ball of clay.
When he shaft reaches the bottom; excallorate.
Balance the ball with the left hand.
With the right hand move the arm of the opener to the left;
at a consistanct speed; with force.
The ball will open; making a wide bowl; with very thick, centered walls.