an image of a potter holding the giffin grip and bailey quick trim 2

Giffin Grip vs. Bailey Quick Trim 2 – The Detailed Differences 

ByMarie Updated on

The Giffin Grip and Bailey Quick Trim 2 are great tools for holding clay that many potters use to trim their clay pieces. This Giffin Grip vs. Bailey Quick Trim 2 Review will show you which one is the best for your needs.

The main difference between the Giffin Grip and Baily Quick Trim II is that the Griffin Grip can self-center. Whereas you will have to center your piece manually with the Quick Trim. 

The Giffin Grip and Bailey Quick Trim 2 are great tools for holding your pottery while you trim. However, It may be hard to select the right one for the job. There are some differences between the two that might make one better for your needs than the other. Luckily, I’m here to help. Let’s take a closer at each one to help you decide.

Affiliate Disclaimer: We are ambassadors or affiliates for many of the brands we reference on the website.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Giffin Grip vs. Bailey Quick Trim 2 Ease of Use

Giffin Grip

an image of the Giffin Grip

The Giffin Grip is very easy to use; The two trimming plates move separately. You have to hold the bottom plate and turn the top plate counterclockwise to open the 3 holders. The holders are in slots that move together as you turn the plate. Once open, place your pottery in between the holders. To close the holders, turn the top plate clockwise, and it will quickly center your pottery in place. The pads hold pottery securely with strong holding power.

Bailey Quick Trim 2

an image of Bailey Quick Trim 2

The Bailey Quick Trim 2 is a great clay holder. It has four dense foam pads on sliders that open up individually and hold the pottery securely while you’re trimming. The Bailey Quick Trim 2 is also easy to use and provides a strong grip on your pottery. First, unscrew each holder and slide it into place. Then screw each holder in tightly to secure your pottery in place.     

Giffin Grip vs. Bailey Quick Trim 2 Assembly

Both the Griffin grip and Quick trim need to be assembled before you can use them. So, let’s take a closer look at how each is assembled.

Giffin Grip Assembly

The Giffin Grip is 15 and a quarter inches across with 3 slots. It comes with 6 holders and 5 different-size Rods with Molded pads. 2-inch, 3-inch, 4-inch, 5-inch, and 6-inch rods. These extension legs are slanted inward to hold tall forms of clay securely.

an image of the Giffin Grip Accessories

The Giffin Grip takes a few more steps and time to assemble. The assembly is incredibly important for the Giffin Grip to work properly. The Giffin grip needs to be secured evenly to the wheel head, or your pottery will not self-center.

  • Measure the diameter of your wheel head with the ruler on the side of the paper that comes with the instructions.
an image of a potter measuring the Giffin Grip plate
  • Set your pointer on the bottom bracket to the measurement of your wheel head.
  • Attach the bottom bracket with the nuts and screws.
an image of a potter setting bottom bracket on the pointer
  • Get all three brackets set on the same mark.
an image of all three giffin grip brackets set on the same mark
  • Join the 2 plates
an image of a potter joining the 2 plates of the giffin grip
  • Try it out. If it is too loose, move each of the three bottom brackets in one notch.
  • If it is too tight, move each bracket out one notch. Then, when the brackets fit, they will have no movement.
  • Hold the top and bottom plates together with the O ring 
  • Attach the pads to the holders and rods.
  • Turn the top plate until the sliders fit into the entry gate, and turn the top clockwise and bottom counterclockwise.
an image of a potter turning the top plate of the giffin grip

All Giffin grips are designed for counterclockwise direction. However, if you use it in a clockwise direction, you can special order it.

Extras:  

Giffin grip developed Flex Sliders. These special extended sliders are designed to grip your hand-built, rectangular, or wonky pottery.

Baily Quick Trim Assembly

This Bailey Quick-Trim 2 is 15 and a half inches across and comes with 4 wide sliders.

an image of bailey quick trim set up

The Bailey Quick-Trim 2 assembly is very easy.

  • First, place a foam pad on each holder. The foam pads are sticky. Remove the backing and stick the pads around the holder.
an image of a foam pad on each holder of bailey quick trim 2
  • Then place the heavy duty vinyl covers over the foam pads.
an image of bailey quick trim 2 vinyl covers over the foam pads
  • Take the screw and the nut and put them in the slot that slides the holders.
an image of a potter screwing the bailey quick trim 2 holders in the slots
  • These basic sliders move back and forth and screw in place.
an image of the Bailey quick trim 2 assembled

Extras:

You can get High Holders that angle inward to hold your piece. Each has a foam vinyl cover, and you can choose from 5 different heights, 1-inch, 2-inch, 3-inch, 4-inch, and 6-inch holders.  

Giffin Grip vs. Bailey Quick Trim 2 Pros and Cons

When choosing between the Giffin Grip and Bailey Quick Trim 2, it is important to consider the Pros and Cons of each tool. Additionally, each Pottery clay holder has its own set of Pros and Cons.

Giffin Grip Pros and Cons

Pros:        

  • The Giffin Grip can self-center your pottery. This is a big plus.
  • The fast process of centering is great for production potters
  • The rods are very stable and provide a strong grip on your pottery.
  • It is designed to fit wheel heads from 8 and a half inches to 14 inches across, and you don’t need bat holes.    
  • The Pad material on the newer Giffin Grip model has new rods with softer new pads leaving fewer marks on your leather hard clay.
  • Includes the extension rods for taller pieces   
  • The Giffin Grip has a no questions asked lifetime warranty and a 90- day money back guarantee. They really do warranty any broken or defective parts for any reason at any time.
an image of a potter trimming on the Giffin Grip

Cons:

  • I have the original Giffin Grip with the older pads that are not as soft and can leave marks on my clay if I’m not careful.
  • Because the Giffin Grip is positioned higher on the wheel head, there isn’t sufficient side clearance, and my clay scraps scatter to the floor. 
  • To fit on smaller pottery wheel heads, you need a removable splash pan.
  • The Giffin grip only rotates counterclockwise.
  • It does not center miss shaped clay pieces, but you can buy Flex Sliders

Bailey Quick Trim 2 Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • You can center your pottery manually, which can be a plus for all different shaped pottery.
  • The Bailey Quick Trim grips nicely with 4 padded holders. They hold the pottery securely in place and don’t mark your pottery.
  • The Bailey Quick-Trim clay scraps go into the splash pan
  • You can use the forward and reverse switch with the quick trim   
an image of trimming on the bailey quick trim 2

Cons:

  • When centering your pottery, you can easily push your pottery off-center when screwing your holders in place.
  • The Bailey Quick Trim 2 cannot self-center your pottery.
  • The holders don’t hold taller pieces as well. So you would need to get High Holders.
  • Although it fits standard size wheels, the wheel head must have bat pins that are either 9 or 10 inches across.

Giffin Grip vs. Bailey Quick Trim 2, How Do They Compare in Price?

The Baily Quick trim is roughly half the price. But the Bailey is more simply made than the Giffin Grip.

And does not come with the 5 different size rods with holders and two sets of new blue sliders to hold the pottery in place. 

Are the Giffin Grip and Bailey Quick Trim 2 Only for Trimming?

No, they are not just pottery trimming bats. You can also use them for carving and decorating. In addition, you can use different design techniques by applying underglaze, slip, wax, or glaze to your pottery.

Giffin Grip vs. Bailey Quick Trim 2 How Do They Clean Up

The Giffin Grips hard plastic cleans up nicely when using slips and glazes. However, pieces of clay will get stuck in-between the plates. Therefore, you will have to open up the plates and clean them out from time to time.

an image of The Giffin Grip clean up

The Bailey Quick-Trim is made of hard, durable plastic and cleans up nicely even if you get messy with colored slips or glazes.

an image of the Bailey Quick Trim 2 clean up

Which Pottery Holder Is Preferred – Giffin Grip or Bailey Quick Trim

My friend prefers the Bailey Quick-Trim On her Shimpo Whisper and Speedball Artista Pottery wheels.

While I still use the Bailey Quick Trim, I prefer the Giffin Grip. I use it on my Brent CXC, Speedball Artista, and SKYTOU potter’s wheel.

an image of Griffin grip on the artista wheel

With the Artista and SKYTOU, I have to take the splash pan off.

an image of Giffin grip on the SKYTOU wheel

I also use the Bailey Quick Trim but can only use it on my Brent CXC and Speedball Artista potter’s wheel.       

an image of bailey quick trim 2 on the artista wheel

You won’t go wrong with either the Giffin Grip or the Bailey Quick Trim 2. They both do a great job of holding your clay in place.

I would say if you are good at centering and make a lot of odd-shaped Pottery, The Bailey Quick-Trim Trimming Tool is just as good as the Giffin Grip.

If you are not good at centering or just don’t like doing it. Then the Giffin Grip is the way to go. When it comes to Trimming, I like to center quickly, and for that reason, The Giffin Grip is my go-to Trimming helper.

Below is a YouTube Video where I Assemble and then give you a Demonstration of The Giffin Grip and Bailey Quick Trim 2.

Image link for The Giffin Grip vs The Bailey Quick Trim 2 YouTube video

Summary

The Giffin Grip and the Bailey Quick Trim 2 are both great tools that can help you trim your pottery clay accurately and with minimal effort. Even for an expert potter. However, depending on your needs, one may be better suited for you than the other.

For example, if you are good at centering and make a lot of odd-shaped pottery and are looking for a more affordable option and don’t mind not having as many features or extras, then the Bailey Quick Trim 2 is a great choice.

However, if you are willing to spend a bit more for a clay holder with more features and are not good at centering or just don’t like doing it, then the Giffin Grip is the way to go. When it comes to trimming, I like to center quickly, and for that reason, the Giffin Grip is my go-to trimming helper. Whichever one you choose, you can be sure that either of these will help you trim and decorate your pottery.