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Throw a Basic Cylindrical Pot

By Beth Peterson, About.com

6 of 7

Trim the Pot

Trimming the pot on the wheel removes unwanted clay from the base and enhances appeal.

Trimming the pot on the wheel removes unwanted clay from the base as well as giving the pot a finished look.

Beth E Peterson

Maintain the wheel at quarter speed. Use the wedge-shaped end of your wooden trimming tool on the outer bottom of the pot, removing the clay that your fingers couldn’t get under. Stop the wheel to cut through the trimmings, then gently rotate while lifting the trimmings away from the pot.

Do a final trim, producing a slight undercut at the bottom sixteenth to eighth of an inch. This undercut will give the pot a visual lift and finished look.

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