Backer Rod Pot Ring
Purpose
When the standard size die-cut rings aren’t the right size or aren’t available, make your own custom size rings with backer rod and twill tape or Tri-rod®and glue. These rings are so easy they can be constructed on the spot, as needed.
Author(s)
National Museum of the American Indian
Smithsonian Institution
Research Branch Move Project Team
Photo Credits: Angela Yvarra McGrew & T. Ashley McGrew
Publication: 2014
Description
This simple pot ring uses a “hot-dog” technique where the twill tape tie is sandwiched by round backer rod foam.
Materials, Tools & Supplies
- Backer rod polyethylene foam
- Cotton twill tape
- Foam knife
Construction
1. Cut a length of backer rod foam; bevel the edges.
Step 1.
2. With a foam knife, slice a slit halfway through the thickness of the foam.
Step 2.
2a. For smaller circles cut evenly spaced triangular wedges in the foam to allow the backer rod to be pulled into a tighter ring.
Step 2a. Wedges cut into backer rod to allow for tight ring.
3. Insert a length of twill tape into the slit.
Step 3.
4. Pull tight and tie.
Step 4.
Adapted From
Watch the NMAI Move Team staff construct pot rings
Arenstein, R. P., C. Brady, N. Carroll, J. French, E. Kaplan, A. Y. McGrew, A. McGrew, S. Merritt, L. Williamson. 2003. NMAI Living: Moving a la Martha. Tips from the National Museum of the American Indian collections move . Objects Specialty Group Postprints. 10. American Institute for Conservation 31st Annual Meeting. Arlington. Washington DC: AIC. 92–106.
Arenstein, R. P., N. Carroll, J. French, E. Kaplan, A. Y. McGrew, A. McGrew, L. Williamson. 2003. NMAI good tips: applications and bulking of cyclododecane, and mass production of supports . Objects Specialty Group Postprints. 10. American Institute for Conservation 31st Annual Meeting. Arlington. Washington DC: AIC. 176–187.