Give a plate a bat and a drying space of its own. Its broad wet floor needs support even after you cut it free, and the exposed rim may firm sooner than the center. Arrange the handling and drying space before opening the clay.
Bat size and base allowance
Choose a flat, firmly attached bat with room for the intended plate and your working hands. Confirm compatibility with the wheelhead. Have enough shelf space to keep the plate supported after throwing; a wide wet form is a poor candidate for an improvised hand transfer.
Sketch the floor, rising edge and any planned foot. Leave material for that design rather than opening as thinly as possible and hoping trimming will be unnecessary. A broad center that is much thicker than its edge can complicate drying.
Spread the floor
Center a manageable amount of clay and open a broad base with controlled outward movement. Maintain the intended floor depth as the diameter grows. Repeatedly digging at the transition into the rim can leave a thin circular weak zone.
Smooth and compress the floor with suitable hand or rib contact, clearing accumulated water. Keep its thickness in mind: a smooth surface can still conceal a heavy base. Unequal drying and shrinkage can cause cracks even when the surface was compressed.
Form the rim
Shape the edge gradually and keep enough clay there for a clean finish. A thin, very wide flange must carry itself while wet; pushing it farther outward may exceed what the clay can support. Use a restrained speed as the form opens.
Look from the side for a dipping edge. Check for uneven thickness, softness or a local hand movement before touching the rest of the rim. Lowering the whole edge to match one dip can spread a small defect around the plate.
Release and drying
Plan the cut-off method for the actual bat material. With the wheel stopped, keep a wire controlled and close to the supporting surface. The plate can remain on its bat after release while it gains strength; separation and lifting are different decisions.
As it firms, compare the moisture condition of the center and rim. Protect the faster-drying edge from direct drafts and avoid forcing a schedule based on elapsed hours alone. Once the plate can be handled without bending, give the underside appropriate exposure. Keep support flat and stable.
Questions about this topic
Does compressing a plate guarantee it will not crack?
No. Compression is part of forming, but unequal drying and shrinkage can still cause cracking. Evaluate the whole floor and drying process.
Can I lift a plate immediately after wiring?
Only if its condition and handling method support that move without distortion. Beginners generally benefit from leaving the form supported while it firms.