brett kuttner Archives

*Guest post from Brett Kuttner, Building & Grounds Manger at the Clay Coyote

Along with loading everything feasible onto a semi this summer, moving the three electric kilns (Caution: heavy items) , renovating the studio, unloading the semi, organizing the new studio, moving the three kilns again (they haven’t gotten any lighter), another large project of the studio remodel was the need for ten additional wedge tables to be built.

Wait a minute, what the heck is a wedge table? A wedge table is used to “wedge” clay. Wedging is the first pottery process, similar to kneading, that removes air from clay. Typically working with 25 lbs of clay at a time, a potter grunts and leans, with most of their might and body weight, pushing and rolling the clay to remove as much air as possible. This force and weight requires a very sturdy table with a unique top, that will take the punishment of wedging and not allow the clay to stick to it.

Here’s how our new tables came about……

Step 1 - Get some lumber — Step 1 – Get some lumber

Step 2 - Begin layout, after cutting lumber — Step 2 – Begin layout, after cutting lumber

Step 3 - We have a frame !! — Step 3 – We have a frame !!

Step 4 - Seek Nourishment (from Senora's in Hutchinson, yum) — Step 4 – Seek Nourishment (from Senora’s in Hutchinson, yum)

Step 5 - Take candid photo of Ian sanding — Step 5 – Take candid photo of Ian sanding

Step 6 - Tops are on!! — Step 6 – Tops are on!!

Step 7 - Repeat Steps 2 thru 6, 9 times — Step 7 – Repeat Steps 2-6, nine times

Step 8 - 10 Finished Tables — Step 8 – Ten finished tables

Ian and I had fun building these and developed a few improvements over the existing wedge table at the Clay Coyote that made them more sturdy and easier to build. Everybody wins!

We also developed some proprietary construction techniques that were sheer genius. Who knew you could square a table frame with a ratchet strap?!

Feel free to stop by the The Clay Coyote for a studio tour. We’ll introduce you to the potters, show you the pottery process, in which, you can see these tables in action!