A cut-off wire separates the base from its support. The pot may still be too soft to lift afterward, so decide first whether you will carry the whole bat or leave the form in place to firm.
Prepare the landing place
Put a clean, level board nearby and clear the route to the drying shelf. If you can move the existing bat, use that support to avoid pressing on soft walls.
Remove excess slip and standing water from the pot without repeatedly working the form. A puddle inside can spill during movement and makes it harder to assess the base. Look at the rim: if a light touch changes its shape, it should not be used as a handle.
Keep the cut close to the bat
For a straightforward beginner cut, stop the wheel and keep the wire taut and close to the supporting surface. Move deliberately beneath the base. A slack or rising wire can cut into the floor instead of separating it cleanly. Keep fingers clear of the wire path and do not wrap wire tightly around them.
Check the release method for the bat material. Absorbent systems may behave differently from plastic or wooden bats. Follow the specific bat guidance before adding water or leaving the pot to release on its own.
A base that stays attached
A pot can reattach or fail to separate fully after the first pass. Strong upward force on the walls may distort it before the base lets go. Stop, keep the form supported and inspect the release.
If a thin clay layer appears under the released pot, inspect the cut. A wire that rose away from the bat may have sliced into the floor; a cut layer may also have reattached as the clay firmed. Repeated blind passes can reduce the base further.
Moving the pot
A short, firmer cylinder and a broad wet plate need different handling. Let vulnerable pieces gain strength on their bats where practical. Move a bat with support beneath it and without jolting its attachment area. Keep the carrying surface level.
Lakeside Pottery demonstrates a water-assisted slide for some non-plaster bats when immediate removal is necessary. Follow the demonstration’s stated conditions and practice with a small expendable form before using it on a piece you want to keep.
After the move, look down at the rim. An oval that appeared during transfer indicates the walls needed more support or time to firm. Leave that area untouched if further correction would distort the soft base.
Questions about this topic
Should I always wire a pot more than once?
No fixed number fits every bat and clay condition. Start with a deliberate release, then reassess if the base has not separated or has reattached.
Why did my round pot become oval?
Side pressure during lifting can deform soft walls. Allow more support or firmness, and avoid gripping the rim as a carrying point.