A heavy lower wall is the clay reserve for your next pull. Gather it between supported inside and outside contacts, then guide it upward. Starting halfway up the pot leaves that reserve at the bottom and can stretch an already thin rim.
Locate the clay reserve
Check the opening is centered and sponge out any water on the floor. Find the thicker lower wall and plan a continuous hand movement from there to the rim.
Bring the wheel to a controllable speed. Your hands must have time to move gradually while the whole circumference passes through the contact zone. A quick upward sweep can create a spiral difference in thickness rather than a level, even wall.
Carry the pull through to the rim
Place one contact inside and the other outside, with comfortable support between the hands where possible. Their job is to gather and guide a moving band of clay. Pressure that pinches hard in one place without moving can form a weak ring. Pressure that starts too high leaves useful clay behind.
Move upward continuously, easing the pressure as the wall becomes thinner. Reduce the squeeze near the rim and release gently. Use a hand position that lets the two contacts stay supported; the exact grip will vary with the size of your hands and the vessel.
What the profile tells you
Pause after the pull and inspect the silhouette before applying more pressure.
- Heavy bulge low on the wall: the pull may have started above the clay that needed moving.
- A narrow waist: pressure may have thinned one band too far.
- An outward-leaning rim: check speed, outward hand movement and softness of the upper wall.
When to stop pulling
Another complete pull can worsen a locally thin section. If the wall has reached a useful thickness, stop and shape it. If you are uncertain about thickness, the practice cylinder’s cut-section exercise will reveal what your hands left behind.
Moisten contact areas when they drag, but avoid repeated soaking. A wall that is softening and swaying needs less handling. Remove interior water and let a stable piece firm before deciding what to do next.
Questions about this topic
How many pulls should a cylinder take?
There is no universal count. Clay amount, consistency, target dimensions and skill change the answer. Stop based on wall condition rather than a prescribed number.
Why is the rim thin while the bottom is heavy?
The hands may be working above the lower clay reserve or maintaining too much pressure at the top. Start with a smaller form and inspect a cross section.