Slab Roller

Slab Roller and Slab work

In September 2018, I purchased a 24 inch North Star Polaris CT-500. I had been using a large dowel as instructed by Hsinchen Lin in his video (https://youtu.be/L3YsATFRPWU). I was finding the old hand injury prevented even thickness rolling. I also wanted to try larger slab rolled pieces.

Ideas and Hacks

1. Patterns are cut from 30 lb tar paper. It is easy to cut and can be used multiple times before a new pattern needs to be cut. I found it aids in holding the clay in place for sealing seams.

A build it yourself slab roller

After purchasing a slab roller I discovered a build it your self slab roller located at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC0QXALQT_M. It looks really cool and works based on another Youtube from a potter in Billings, MT.

Cleaning Canvas

The slab roller canvas can be cleaned in a bucket of warm water with a small amount of laundry or dish soap. Make sure you double or triple rinse with fresh water. The manufacture indicates the canvas can be washed in a regular washing machine on a gentle cycle. I use the bucket method because the canvas is heavily soiled with clay before I consider wash it. Clay is reported to clog drain pipes. I have not experienced it but not taking chances.

Air dry the canvas flat (no fold overs). Roll canvas when almost dry to remove wrinkles.