About Giffin Tec Inc:
Giffin Tec inc. is a family run business started by Brian Giffin in 1978 to manufacture the now wildy popular Giffin Grips. Brian continues to think up new tools for potters to this day, along with ongoing improvements to the Giffin Grip itself. The Ceramic Shop is a big fan of the high quality and smartly designed Giffin Grip and think you will be too.
Giffin Grip
The Giffin Grip Model 10 was designed with production potters in mind, or any potter that gets tired of trimming. It takes valuable time to properly re-center a pot and firmly secure it to the pottery wheel before starting to trim. The Giffin Grip solves this problem with its soft grip adjustable handles that have already been centered for you. There's no reason to second guess your centering job or re-adjust, the Giffin Grip is ready to go. Each Giffin Grip comes with a variety set of handles and rods measuring at different lengths. Simple swap out the long handles for shorter ones when it's time to trim mugs or small bowls. The giffin grip is a real time saving pottery tool- once you've tried it you'll never go back to your old ways of trimming again.
The Model 10 Giffin Grip includes the newly designed padded blue sliders. An upgrade kit with the blue sliders is available for older model Giffin Grips. A jumbo version of the Giffin Grip is also available for trimming plates and platters up to 23" wide. Replacement parts are available, including handles, rods, basic sliders, bottom brackets, molded hands, and O- rings.
Instructions For The Giffin Grip:
1. Measure diameter of potters wheel
2. Set pointer on bottom bracket to this measure
3. Attach bottom bracket with nuts and screws
4. Get all three bottom brackets set so the pointer is on the same mark
5. Try it out. If it's too loose, move the bottom brackets in one notch. If it's too tight, move the bottom brackets out one notch.
6. When it fits correctly, the bottom plate will snap easily onto your potters wheel and have no movement from side to side.
7. Hold top and bottom plates together with the O-ring. Use the O-ring Shim as needed to take up any play between the two plates.
8. Turn the top plate until the basic sliders fit into the entrance gates of the bottom plate.
9. Put your pot to be trimmed in place. Turn the top plate until the basic sliders start to make contact.
10. Give the pot a wiggle to help it into the center.
11. Gently tighten top plate again. For best results, do final turn using both hands with equal pressure.
Tips:
To keep pots from warping as they dry, place on level shelves, away from direct sun or breezes. Turn pots upsidedown as soon as possible. Protect delicate rims with thin foam pads. Small pots can be lifted up. Giant pots can be held from the inside out. If lubrication is needed, use a vinyl cleaner such as Armorall. Dry pots can be held more firmly than wet pots. Keep your trimming tools sharp to avoid chattering. There are no rules for using the Giffin Grip but these tips will hopefully be helpful to you.
This product has been designed from day one with your safety in mind. All corners are rounded, the rods slip out, and the complete unit can pull away from the potters wheel.