Potters wheels
Discussion
Depends on what sort of wheel you're looking for:
Traditional treadle operated or electrically driven.
Primarily ensure that the spindle bearings are in good order, with no side play or wobble, the table drains are clear of any blockages, and the drivebelt (from the electric motor) and tensioner bracket is not loose or worn.
On the treadle type, check for loose bellcrank and pushrod joints and that the starter handwheel is free from sideplay, but turns smoothly.
The general condition should be an indicator of how well the wheel and table have been maintained.
In the case of an electric wheel, ensure that it is compatible with the supply in your premises. There are some heavy industrial 400v 3-phase versions which are obviously no good if you have only a domestic 240v single phase supply.
HTH.
Please note that I have very little first hand experience of throwing pots, but my wife has done quite a bit of it when I arrive home late from the pub in the early hours.
Traditional treadle operated or electrically driven.
Primarily ensure that the spindle bearings are in good order, with no side play or wobble, the table drains are clear of any blockages, and the drivebelt (from the electric motor) and tensioner bracket is not loose or worn.
On the treadle type, check for loose bellcrank and pushrod joints and that the starter handwheel is free from sideplay, but turns smoothly.
The general condition should be an indicator of how well the wheel and table have been maintained.
In the case of an electric wheel, ensure that it is compatible with the supply in your premises. There are some heavy industrial 400v 3-phase versions which are obviously no good if you have only a domestic 240v single phase supply.
HTH.
Please note that I have very little first hand experience of throwing pots, but my wife has done quite a bit of it when I arrive home late from the pub in the early hours.
Edited by glenrobbo on Monday 23 November 13:52
My wife uses one of these:
https://www.claycellar.co.uk/component/hikashop/pr...
I don't know a huge amount about them either but it certainly seems pretty indestructible and I believe Shimpo was a well recommended brand when we bought it. It's been used for several years now to run a successful business and I only remember having to fix it once when there was something wrong with the pedal.
The plastic whatsits can be removed to clean it properly and it's quite light and compact so fits under a table. The company selling that one are very helpful so might be worth a ring for more qualified advice although I can also ask my wife if you need to know anything specific.
https://www.claycellar.co.uk/component/hikashop/pr...
I don't know a huge amount about them either but it certainly seems pretty indestructible and I believe Shimpo was a well recommended brand when we bought it. It's been used for several years now to run a successful business and I only remember having to fix it once when there was something wrong with the pedal.
The plastic whatsits can be removed to clean it properly and it's quite light and compact so fits under a table. The company selling that one are very helpful so might be worth a ring for more qualified advice although I can also ask my wife if you need to know anything specific.
john2443 said:
I think you've achieved the almost impossible on PH - finding a subject where no-one has an opinion or knowledge! There should be a prize for that!
Sorry, I don't have an opinion or knowledge either.
Ha ha thanks, I thought so too. I'd even bigged PH up to say no question goes unanswered!!Sorry, I don't have an opinion or knowledge either.
Thanks to all the contributions - will point him this way.
Make sure the wheel, the bit the clay sits on doesn't wobble, important that, so I'm told.
I was asked to sort out a wobbly wheel on a new machine for an amateur potter. It was an expensive machine (Scott?) seemingly well made except for this problem, replacement wheels were no improvement so a little bit of work sorted it. Also machined shallow grooves in to it, helps with centering and gauging size, apparently.
I was asked to sort out a wobbly wheel on a new machine for an amateur potter. It was an expensive machine (Scott?) seemingly well made except for this problem, replacement wheels were no improvement so a little bit of work sorted it. Also machined shallow grooves in to it, helps with centering and gauging size, apparently.
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