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any advice if i wanted to purchase a wheel?

updated fri 23 jan 04

 

Lucas P on fri 16 jan 04


hello, my name is lucas, and i ama teenager, whom is extrmely into ceramics, and i
was thinking about getting my own wheel. so i could practice ouside of class. I was
thinking about getting a used wheel, because they are cheap and work the same,
but will it be good in the long run? any advice is greatly accepted, thank you so
much!

lucas

John Rodgers on fri 16 jan 04


Lucas, there are good used potters wheels out there, but like anything
used, you are always gambling that it will give good service. You never
know if failure is just around the corner or if it will run for years
more. A good brand name wheel is a long term investment for a potter,
because if new, they will when taken care of and properly maintained,
last for 20 years or more. So that is something to consider. If you are
truly committed to pottery work, expect to contrinue it long into your
life, and your budget permits, a new wheel would be the way to go.

I have now, and and have had over the years, the Brent CXC wheel. They
have served well. However, with the arrival of the new Axner wheels on
the market, I would consider one of them, were I to buy a new wheel.
They are strong wheels, and are a very good value for the money.

Best of luck to you,

Regards,

John Rodgers
Chelsea, AL

Lucas P wrote:

>hello, my name is lucas, and i ama teenager, whom is extrmely into ceramics, and i
>was thinking about getting my own wheel. so i could practice ouside of class. I was
>thinking about getting a used wheel, because they are cheap and work the same,
>but will it be good in the long run? any advice is greatly accepted, thank you so
>much!
>
>lucas
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
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>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
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>
>

SusanRaku@AOL.COM on fri 16 jan 04


In a message dated 1/16/2004 12:44:07 PM Eastern Standard Time,
jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET writes:

> hello, my name is lucas, and i ama teenager, whom is extrmely into
> ceramics, and i
> >was thinking about getting my own wheel. so i could practice ouside of
> class. I was
> >thinking about getting a used wheel, because they are cheap and work the
> same,
> >but will it be good in the long run? any advice is greatly accepted, thank
> you so
> >much!
> >
> >lucas
>

Lucas, I bought a Thomas Stuart Wheel many years ago when I was a student and
it is still doing well after twenty plus years. It is a motorized kick
wheel. Since I learned on a kick wheel I liked that I had the option and extra
control of having the fly wheel that I could control with my right foot while
using the pedal for the motor with my left foot when needed.

These wheels are very reasonable in price.

Susan

John Jensen on fri 16 jan 04


Lucas;
I would guess a used wheel might be just the thing for you. Used
kickwheels turn up in my area every so often, usually priced around
$100. Check the want ads regularly, bulletin boards and just get the
word out that you are interested. It might take some time, but you'll
likely find it. Whenever you get finished with it you can get your
money back with little difficulty. Used electric wheels turn up more
rarely. For someone setting up a complete studio, the wheel is just a
small part of a big investment; but if you just want to practice your
throwing then you would need little else...Perhaps a plaster slab and a
table.

John Jensen, Mudbug Pottery
mudbug@toadhouse.com , http://www.toadhouse.com

Shawn McGuire on fri 16 jan 04


Lucas-
You might look into Creative Industries new wheel (can't remember the name
now) but it's a nice tabletop model, perfect for a person without a lot of
space. It's very reasonably priced at around $400 I think, very good for a 1/3
horsepower wheel, centers 25# of clay. Keep playing in the mud!!

over-and-out,
~S~

Gary Harvey on wed 21 jan 04


Yes, you can build you own wheel but it is a pain. This is what I did.
First, I used to work at Marshall Pottery at the time it was the largest
pottery in the world. They stand when they turn so when I built my wheel
that's the way I did it. There are better ways to do it but here goes.
First, I used a old washing machine frame and the motor. You will need a
turning head. The commercial heads you can buy require one inch diameter
shafts. (Mine was made at a machine shop by my brother) You can acquire
all your parts for the assembly from an tractor supply or machine shop.
Then you need a large pulley to put on the shaft and at least three blocks
bearings. The bearings comes sometimes separately from the blocks. Put the
bearing and block together and then mount the assembly you just made upright
in the center of the washing machine frame with 2X4s securely. (use good
bolts and nuts) after that you will need to securely place the motor in a
frame of some kind and attach it to the frame after putting a fan type belt
on the pulleys of both the motor and the shaft. Then you will need to wire
it. Your on your own here. because I just guessed at the neg. and positive
and ground wires on this washing machine motor. I do believe that it is
variable speed but I haven't figured that one out yet. Get an adult to help
you if you decide to try this and I take no responsibility if you do. Then
you will need a top made of plywood to make a catching box for the slip.
Cut a small hole in the center for the shaft to go in about 1.5 inch in
diameter. Then you will need a collar. Just make a cone out of clay and
fire it to make a collar. Make sure the cone is about 3 inches tall and
about 4 inch wide. Then mount the collar with screws and use sealant around
it you can buy from a lumber yard or the tractor place. Put on the head.
If you want a photo of mine just ask. But your will have to wait a while
since I just updated the OS on this computer and not everything is working
yet.Good luck but again its easier to buy it already made but not
neccessarily cheaper. GH
---- Original Message -----
From: "Lucas P"
To:
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 1:02 AM
Subject: ANY ADVICE IF I WANTED TO PURCHASE A WHEEL?


> hello, my name is lucas, and i ama teenager, whom is extrmely into
ceramics, and i
> was thinking about getting my own wheel. so i could practice ouside of
class. I was
> thinking about getting a used wheel, because they are cheap and work the
same,
> but will it be good in the long run? any advice is greatly accepted, thank
you so
> much!
>
> lucas
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.