Essential Pottery Tools: Professional Picks and Money-Saving DIY Alternatives
Whether you're just starting your pottery journey or looking to expand your ceramic toolkit, choosing the right pottery tools can make all the difference in your clay work. But here's the secret many pottery suppliers won't tell you: some of the best tools are ones you can make yourself for a fraction of the cost.
Professional Tools Worth the Investment
Mudtools Ribs: The Gold Standard (£8-15 each)
When it comes to pottery ribs, Mudtools ribs are absolutely amazing and we highly rate them. These precision-made tools offer superior control and durability that make them worth every penny. At £8-15 each depending on size and shape, they're significantly more expensive than DIY alternatives, but the investment pays off in performance and longevity.
What makes Mudtools ribs special:
Perfectly balanced weight and ergonomics
Consistent edge quality that won't deteriorate
Professional-grade materials that last for years
Precise profiles designed for specific pottery techniques
Available in different flexibilities (Red-Very Soft, Yellow-Soft, Green-Medium, Blue-Firm)
Mudtools Do-All Trim Tool: A Game Changer (£25-35)
The Mudtools Do-All Trim Tool deserves a special mention for its versatility. At around £25-35, this innovative tool combines multiple functions in one elegant design, making it perfect for trimming, shaping, and detailing work. While it's a significant investment compared to basic trimming tools (which cost £3-8), the precision and control it offers make it invaluable for serious potters.
DIY Pottery Tools That Actually Work
The Humble Credit Card: Your Secret Weapon (FREE!)
Old credit cards make exceptional scrapers and ribs – and they're probably the most underrated pottery tool you already own. At absolutely no cost (since you'd dispose of them anyway), cut expired cards into different shapes and you'll have a versatile collection of flexible ribs perfect for smoothing, shaping, and scraping clay.
Compare this to buying shaped ribs at £5-12 each, and you'll quickly see why this is such a smart alternative.
Credit card pottery tool ideas:
Keep one whole for large, smooth surfaces
Cut curved edges for shaping rounded forms
Create notched edges for texture work
Round the corners for gentle transitions
Laundry Liquid Cartons: Free Shaped Ribs (FREE!)
Here's where we need to address the elephant in the room: we don't recommend buying expensive shaped ribs at £5-15 each – they're largely a money-making exercise and unnecessary. Instead, cut interesting shapes from laundry liquid cartons to create custom ribs that work just as well for absolutely nothing.
These plastic containers are perfect because they:
Have the ideal flexibility for pottery work
Cut easily into any shape you need
Cost nothing (you'd throw them away anyway)
Can be replaced without guilt when they wear out
Making Your Own Specialty Tools
DIY Bisque Roulettes and Stamps
Creating your own bisque roulettes and stamps is not only economical but allows for completely personalized pottery decoration. Here's how:
Bisque Roulettes:
Throw small cylindrical forms on the wheel
Carve patterns, lines, or textures into the surface while leather hard
Bisque fire as normal
Attach to a handle (wooden dowel or old brush handle)
Bisque Stamps:
Hand-build small blocks or cylinders
Carve your desired pattern or texture
Bisque fire for durability
Use for consistent pattern application
Scoring Tools from Household Items
Making scoring tools is incredibly easy and often produces better results than store-bought alternatives that cost £2-8 each:
Old Combs:
Perfect teeth spacing for consistent scoring
Various sizes for different applications
Sturdy construction that lasts
Polymer Clay and Seamstress Pins:
Create custom handles with polymer clay
Embed seamstress pins for precise scoring points
Bake according to polymer clay instructions
Results in comfortable, personalized tools
Smart Shopping vs DIY: When to Buy and When to Make
Worth Buying:
Quality ribs (Mudtools especially) - £8-15 each
Specialized trimming tools like the Do-All - £25-35
Wire clay cutters (hard to make safely) - £5-12
Calipers for measuring - £8-20
Quality brushes for glazing - £3-15 each
Better DIY:
Shaped ribs (use credit cards or container plastic) - Save £5-15 per tool
Basic scrapers (credit cards work perfectly) - Save £3-8 per tool
Texture rollers (make bisque versions) - Save £8-20
Stamps and roulettes (customize to your style) - Save £5-15 per tool
Scoring tools (combs and pins are superior) - Save £2-8 per tool
Building Your Tool Collection Smartly
Start with the Basics
Begin with a few essential purchased tools (quality ribs, wire cutter, basic brushes) and supplement with homemade alternatives. As your skills develop, you'll discover which tools you use most and can invest in professional versions accordingly.
Experiment First, Buy Later
Try making your own version of any tool before purchasing. You might discover that your DIY version works perfectly for your needs, or you might identify specific features worth paying for in a professional tool.
Quality Over Quantity
It's better to have fewer high-quality tools than a drawer full of mediocre ones. The tools you use daily should be the best you can afford, while specialty tools can often be homemade alternatives.
Maintenance and Care
Caring for Professional Tools
Clean clay off immediately after use
Store ribs flat to prevent warping
Keep metal tools dry to prevent rust
Refreshing DIY Tools
Cut new credit card tools when edges get rough
Replace homemade tools without guilt – they're meant to be disposable
Keep a supply of materials for quick replacements
The Bottom Line on Pottery Tools
The pottery tool market is full of expensive gadgets that promise to revolutionize your clay work, but the truth is simpler: technique matters more than tools. A skilled potter can create beautiful work with basic tools, while expensive equipment won't compensate for lack of practice.
Focus your spending on a few essential quality tools like Mudtools ribs and supplement with clever DIY alternatives. Your pottery will improve through practice and understanding, not through accumulating expensive gadgets.
Remember: the best pottery tool is the one you actually use. Whether it's a precisely engineered Mudtools rib or a credit card cut into the perfect shape, the tool that feels right in your hands and helps you achieve your vision is the right choice.
Start building your pottery toolkit thoughtfully, combining smart purchases with creative DIY solutions. Your clay work – and your wallet – will thank you.