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kicking the treadle wheel

updated sun 3 aug 03

 

Anji Henderson on fri 1 aug 03


Tony,

What happens when you get as proficiant with the
treadle as the electric??

Anji

--- clennell wrote:
> Sour Cherry Pottery
>
> >
> Marek: I agree with your thoughts on the treadle
> wheel. I use it not
> because it makes pots well but the contrary. It
> helps me to make pots more
> poorly like I used to do before i learned to throw
> well.

=====
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clennell on sat 2 aug 03


Sour Cherry Pottery

> I can throw 120 lbs + on my wheel, and after a little persuasion, I treat the
> throwing with a minimum of kicking. All the weight of the flywheel should be
> at the extremity so as to have maximum torque for the minimum of effort. The
> beauty of the momentum wheel is that the kicking is NOT constant, the fly
> slows down gradually and is in tune with a slower speed the further into the
> form you get - so it is a natural slowing in tune with the pot you are
> throwing - no matter what weight of clay you are using. Maybe you have not
> used a continental kick wheel as proposed by Cardew in "Pioneer Pottery",
> these beauties are just magic, made mine over 33 years ago and I love every
> inch of it. I have done throwing marathons on it 72 hours, 36 hours and 24
> hours without constant kicking and with average weights in excess of 12
> pounds. I would recomend anybody to learn to throw using them, they are easy,
> simple, efficient, quiet and totally versatile.
>
> happy potting Marek

Marek: I agree with your thoughts on the treadle wheel. I use it not
because it makes pots well but the contrary. It helps me to make pots more
poorly like I used to do before i learned to throw well. If I make cups on
my electric wheel they are too thin and wimpy. I don't care for them. The
treadle on the other hand gives me thicker cups with an uneven rim that I
like very much. I am not skillful enough with it to make things other than
bowls, plates and cups.
To make pots over 5 pounds would be indeed a workout. there is nothing like
a good kick wheel for daily use.
The treadle is a tool for me to make loose pots. I am fighting this skill
thing that comes with thousands of pots.
After 33 years sounds like your wheel needs retirement in the wine region of
Canada.
Liked your post. Very well thought out and presented.
Cheers,
Tony
Tony and Sheila Clennell
Sour Cherry Pottery
4545 King Street
Beamsville, Ontario
CANADA L0R 1B1
http://www.sourcherrypottery.com

clennell@vaxxine.com