Using Bats and Makeshift Bats on a Pottery Wheel Without Bat Pins!

When a potter’s wheel does not have bat pins to hold bats, there are alternative ways to hold a bat in place, or even other items that can be used as makeshift bats. This video will cover some of these while using a small wheel I received from Amazon.

This video is in response to an email inquiring I received from NantFun Brand which sells these on Amazon. I often receive inquiries about the quality of these little wheels, and thought this would be a good chance to see how they work for myself. I have no opinion on longevity of the wheel, as I have only used it for the one session thusfar.
Although the one I show is blue, they are available in other colors.
I received the wheel as compensation for shooting the video. I receive no commission from NantFun, but if you use the following link, it is my associate’s link on Amazon to receive a small commission. https://amzn.to/3I2hxEu

You will find that the NantFun store on Amazon sells accessories as well.

I was impressed with the right out of the box ability to use the wheel. I attached the feet, and the hand lever. I opted to raise mine to standing height, as I don’t like to be hunched over when throwing- my back doesn’t appreciate it. It came with one bat that has protruding pins, and the wheel head has three holes. It had a few tools that came with it as well.

My one concern upon using it was the lack of control at slow speeds. It went from medium speed to off. This is a concern if you are trying to spin slowly for refinement.

For a video which shows THE UNBOXING AND REVIEW of this wheel, check out this video,    • Amazon Pottery Wheel Unboxing and Usi...  

For a video showing the trimming of the pots on this wheel check out this video:    • Trimming Pot Bottoms on the Little Am...  

Check out my Wheel Throwing Playlist of videos with tips and tricks to successfully wheel throw pieces- from beginner to intermediate to advanced. I will be offering a good deal of EXPLANATION within the videos to help people understand the mechanics of why things work the way they do! I often tell my students they learn more from their mistakes than from their successes in throwing. In these videos in my series, I will try to distill my best tips I have learned from my successes and failures, and my students' struggles as well. Two things have led me to becoming the potter I am today. Countless hours of making pots, (and explaining how to make pots), and understanding and learning from my failures when pots didn’t work out! These are the things I want to share with you- to help YOU become a better potter!

Please subscribe to my channel to get the latest updates on this video series, AND, subscribe to my NEW wheel throwing playlist too! (I am keeping it as a separate list from the old wheel throwing playlist!) Here is a direct link to the new playlist!    • NEW Wheel Throwing Playlist!  

Check out and support your local pottery suppliers- I love my favorite local supplier- Cornell Studio Supply in Dayton… give them a call, they’re super helpful! (And tell them I sent you!) https://cornellstudiosupply.com/ The service a good local supplier can offer is hard to beat!

For the great tools, materials, and suppliers I recommend check out this link to a live searchable (control F) Googledoc I continually update with lots of my favorite tools on Amazon using my associate links! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X...


I am a public high school ceramics teacher at William Mason High School in Mason, Ohio. (Mason is currently the largest high school in Ohio!) As a potter, I have been working in clay for over 33+ years, and I have been teaching for over 30 years, the past 22 have been specifically teaching high school ceramics. I love what I do! I have my own studio in my home basement, where I work on my personal pottery for my Etsy site; https://www.etsy.com/shop/KaransPotsA...

I started my Youtube channel a few years ago, to make videos to help my students if they are absent and miss a demo, or if they would like to explore more advanced techniques independently. I have been amazed to reach such a wider audience than my own students!

Please subscribe to my channel if you would like to receive channel updates, or would like to learn more about clay and studio processes!

I am in a partnership with Skutt - as they sent me the new wheel to use for the videos! I am not receiving any compensation from them beyond the wheel. Here is a link to my wheel- available from most good pottery suppliers. https://skutt.com/products-page/potte...