PrudoPex Pot Cup Mouth Opener, Adjustable Depth Ceramic Pot Cup Opening Tool, Adjustable Thickness Flat Bottom Pottery Tool (Wood)

I tried it once and it did the job. I was a little clumsy at it, but I think with some practice, it will be very helpful as I cannot judge bottoms of my pots I throw.

I made one out of pvc pipe that works ok. This one is much better and is adjustable. The finish on the wood keeps clay from sticking.

I use the dirty girl bat system and this is the exact width to catch where the bat insert meets the base. It works great and not a flaw with the product, but annoying when using with the bat system. I just don’t allow it to push down on the bag and allow my hand to drag on the bat when opening. After several it’s uncomfortable but gets the job done. I have the speedball but like that this is adjustable.

Quite easy to use and practical design

Pros:High-Quality Wood Construction – I really like how sturdy and well-made this tool is. The wood feels strong and durable, and I can tell it’s high-quality just by the smell and feel. It’s also comfortable to hold while I’m working with clay.Adjustable Design – The fact that the center post is adjustable is a huge plus for me. I can set the tool to the exact thickness I want for the bottom of my pots and cups, which is a game changer for consistency. I can also adjust it depending on the clay I’m using, which makes my work so much easier.Easy to Assemble and Use – The tool was really easy to put together — just one simple step to attach the middle piece to the handles. Once it’s assembled, it’s effortless to use. The mechanism is smooth, and I appreciate that the two side poles are permanently attached to the handles, so there's no need to worry about them coming loose.Precise Thickness Markers – I love that the tool includes small wooden squares with pre-marked sizes (1/4", 3/8", 1/2", and 5/8"). These are incredibly helpful for visualizing the thickness of the bottom of my pieces, and I don’t need a ruler. It’s a small touch, but it makes the whole process more efficient.Well-Written Instructions – The instructions were clear and easy to follow. I could easily understand how to set up the tool and how to use it effectively, which was important for someone like me who’s not an expert in pottery tools.Versatile for Different Pottery Projects – This tool has become essential for making cups, mugs, candle holders, and small bowls and plates. It’s perfect for creating consistent foot thickness on my pieces, and it’s especially helpful when I’m working with smaller diameter items that my hands don’t fit into.Comfortable Handles – The handles are well-designed and comfortable to hold, even during longer sessions of working with clay. The sturdy construction also makes the tool feel stable and reliable.Great for Beginners and Experienced Potters – Even though I’m still learning, I can see how this tool would be useful for both beginners and more experienced potters. It makes shaping and trimming much easier and more precise, so I feel more confident in my work.Improved Over Other Models – Compared to other tools I’ve tried, like my Speedball opener, this one is much better designed. The adjustable floor and slightly rounded center post give me more flexibility and control over the shape of my pieces. I like that I can customize it more to my needs.Helps Prevent Strain – The tool has really helped me with some shoulder and neck pain I was getting from manually shaping bottoms with just my hands. It makes opening up pots and cups much easier on my body, especially when working with firmer clay.Cons:Requires Minimal Setup – While the tool is easy to assemble, the initial setup might take a few minutes if you're new to it. But, this isn't really a big deal, and the setup is pretty straightforward.Could Benefit from Additional Features – While I love how simple and effective it is, I sometimes wish it had even more customization options, like more detailed adjustments for the floor shape or a built-in level for precision. However, the tool does everything it promises and is already quite versatile.

This tool is incredibly simple but works great for ensuring a flat and even bottom on your pottery. There is a limit to the size of pottery design you can make, which is obvious, the distance between the handles. But for anything small like a mug, small plate, or bowl, this works great. You adjust the distance of the center leveller with a nut, and that determines how thick the base of your item is. Add a little water to make the levelling go a bit easier. Great tool for an amateur potter to have in their toolbox.

For reference, I was using the speedball version of this gizmo, and do like it. The only thing I wish it had was a setting for a thicker floor bottom, because I like to trim a more pronounced floor onto some of my pots, and the speedball only has one stationary, 1/4 inch setting.Enter this adjustable gizmo. Keep in mind that it has a learning curve, just like any tool like this of its kind. It is easy to knock your clay off center if your wheel speed isn’t just so, and if the rate you pull the gizmo, isn’t steady and even. Also, you need to use plenty of water on your clay and this gizmo to ensure friction between the shaft and clay does not occur, or your clay will run off center, and the rim , inside, or both, will be jagged.There are two things I wish that could be improved upon with this gizmo, versus the speedball.1) The shaft is adjustable, yes. But, it is hard to keep the screw tight enough to maintain the thickness I want on my pot’s bottom. I have to really tighten it as hard as I can with pliers, and usually only get one use out of it before I have to tighten it again. It’s not a total dealbreaker, but it is a pain.2) The shaft circumference is much wider than the speedball, which is a little annoying, because it makes it difficult to open my smaller and more delicate pots. On the speedball, I don’t have to worry about this as much.The verdict? I like both the speedball and this for different reasons, as outlined in this review.To recap: Love the speedball when working on smaller, delicate pots, because of the thinner shaft. I also love it because it is stationary, and I don’t have to worry about a screw coming loose, changing the depth of the floor on my pot like this gizmo. Love the speedball when the 1/4 inch floor is needed.Love this gizmo when I do need a thicker than 1/4 inch floor on my pot’s bottom, and when opening larger amounts of clay. I don’t love thar the screw doesn’t stay tight for very long on the shaft, or the thick shaft circumference.I do find myself reaching for the speedball more often because of the screw and thick shaft problem on this gizmo. When I absolutely need a thicker bottom is really the only time I use this.

-The current price point of about $30 is, I'm told, quite good!-I purchased this as a gift for a friend who has her own clay studio in her home and is working on perfecting her craft. She said this tool will help her tremendously :)-She also said the wooden handles are generously sized and well lacquered (no splinters)