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kick wheel question

updated fri 13 jul 07

 

Deborah Thuman on mon 9 jul 07


I found in the archives that my kick wheel will be more efficient and
will spin around longer if there is more weight at the far edge of the
wheel. At the moment, the weight is evenly distributed. Okay... so how
do I add weight to the edge of the wheel? The wheel is cast concrete.

Many thanks.

Deb
http://debthumansblog.blogspot.com/

Taylor Hendrix on tue 10 jul 07


Deb,

If you are using a manufactured kick wheel (Lockerbie, etc.) you have
plenty of mass to do the job. If you are using a home made kick wheel,
you might want to just cast another flywheel that has a thicker outer
edge or fabricate a wooden flywheel and add mass to the outer edge
(concrete, bricks, metal, etc.).

That discussion about flywheels was (if I remember) about how to make
a lighter wheel that would give you the same amount of work. It
doesn't make sense to increase the weight of an existing flywheel just
to make it more efficient...unless you feel it is underweight right
now.

My solid cast Lockerbie flywheel does a great job of keeping things
spinning and me turning. Don't forget to lubricate regularly to keep
those bearings healthy. Sorry it doesn't help with glazing, Gay.

Taylor, in Rockport TX

On 7/9/07, Deborah Thuman wrote:
> I found in the archives that my kick wheel will be more efficient and
> will spin around longer if there is more weight at the far edge of the
> wheel. At the moment, the weight is evenly distributed. Okay... so how
> do I add weight to the edge of the wheel? The wheel is cast concrete.

Taylor Hendrix on tue 10 jul 07


Just checked your blog. Right, don't muck with your kickwheel. It's
just fine as it is and you only have the top of the flywheel upon
which to add weight as the frame prevents other additons.

Taylor

On 7/10/07, Taylor Hendrix wrote:
> Deb,
>
> If you are using a manufactured kick wheel (Lockerbie, etc.) you have
> plenty of mass to do the job. If you are using a home made kick wheel,
> you might want to just cast another flywheel that has a thicker outer
> edge or fabricate a wooden flywheel and add mass to the outer edge
> (concrete, bricks, metal, etc.).
>
> That discussion about flywheels was (if I remember) about how to make
> a lighter wheel that would give you the same amount of work. It
> doesn't make sense to increase the weight of an existing flywheel just
> to make it more efficient...unless you feel it is underweight right
> now.
>
> My solid cast Lockerbie flywheel does a great job of keeping things
> spinning and me turning. Don't forget to lubricate regularly to keep
> those bearings healthy. Sorry it doesn't help with glazing, Gay.
>
> Taylor, in Rockport TX
>
> On 7/9/07, Deborah Thuman wrote:
> > I found in the archives that my kick wheel will be more efficient and
> > will spin around longer if there is more weight at the far edge of the
> > wheel. At the moment, the weight is evenly distributed. Okay... so how
> > do I add weight to the edge of the wheel? The wheel is cast concrete.
>


--
Taylor, in Rockport TX
http://wirerabbit.blogspot.com
http://wirerabbitpots.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wirerabbit/

Marek & Pauline Drzazga-Donaldson on wed 11 jul 07


Dear Deb,
it all depends on the structure of the fly wheel. I cast a concrete ring =
and bolted it to a wooden disc, the second incarnation was to bolt heavy =
steel weights to the outside edge, and this is what I have now, and it =
is massively more efficient to start and stop, and of course maximises =
the "Torque" that keeps the wheel spinning.
If you cannot cut away the centre (dead weight) part of the wheel =
because of the structure, then start again and construct a fly wheel =
with all the weight at the edge. It is easy to balance it up by adding =
lead to the edge until it is balanced.
If you need further info email me off list (marek@no9uk.com)=20

Happy potting Marek


Hand made Architectural Ceramics from No9 Studio UK www.no9uk.com
Fully Residential Pottery Courses and more at Mole Cottage =
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an irreverent point of view after 35 years in the game Marek =
Drzazga-Donaldson =20
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