Not a bad idea, then, to find out whether your wheel is properly adapted to you and your workspace. It all depends on your height, your build, what you want to make, and your personal preference.
How do you find the right height?
Lots of potters choose to have their chair a tiny bit higher than the top of their wheel. That makes it easier to find a stable position while centring. And to not just use the strength of your arms, but make good use of your body weight
Of course if you’re making very high cylindrical shapes, you might want to sit a bit higher. That makes it a lot easier to pull up the clay, because you can pull the clay towards you. If your chair is too low, you actually have to push the clay away from you, and that’s a lot harder.
Usually, you’re in a good position if your knees are just above the splash pan of your wheel, allowing you to lean on it easily with your elbows and arms. But above all, find a position that feels comfortable for you!
How do you make your wheel higher?
Potter’s wheels come in all shapes and sizes. To adjust their height, you often need to get creative. Because not a lot of potter’s wheels have legs that are adjustable. You can use:
- bed risers,
- concrete blocks,
- bricks,
- or wooden pallets.
And you can also find potter’s wheels that you can buy a special base frame for.
What else do you need to keep in mind?
There are other things you can watch out for to avoid back pain.
- Make sure you’re hinging from your hips when bending over the wheel. This can help you avoid sitting with a crooked, slumped back.
- Make sure your knees are slightly lower than your hips. That’s better for your circulation, and it’s a lot more comfortable.
- Consider using a support block under your left foot. That way your left leg will be at the same height as your right leg, which means your posture is more balanced.
- Use a chair that is adjustable. That way you can easily optimise your position when making taller pieces.
- If possible, make sure your chair is slightly tilted forward, at an angle of about 10 degrees. This way you are less inclined to lean forward, which means you’ll feel less pressure on your lower back. You could also put a block under the back two legs of your chair.
Of course, this is not an exact science. What’s comfortable for one potter, might not work for you. So feel free to experiment with different heights and positions, and find what feels best for you. That way you’re all set for hours of pottery fun behind your wheel!
