Pottery Wheels

You want to start making your own pottery? What a good idea.  Pottery knows no age, gender, or nationality.  It's one of the oldest art forms on the planet.  So proceed with our blessings.

But keep in mind, pottery is a difficult art form and takes a lot of practice.  You might want to sign up for some classes elsewhere before you make for yourself a studio.  Undaunted?  Read on for information on what to look for.

Types of Wheels

Manual Wheels 

  • Are simple and ancient. Use a foot or hand to crank, pump, or spin your wheel at the proper speed.
  • Can come in all sorts of sizes, from ones perfect for your baby to ones big enough to spin giant bowls.
  • All of the power is coming from you and momentum, so remember your strength before you buy something huge.

Motorized Wheels 

  • Harness the power of electricity to keep your wheel spinning.
  • All sorts of options for speed settings, sizes, strengths, and surprises.
  • Read below for more information on what to look for.

What to Take Into Account with a Motorized Wheel

  • Belt adjustment should be available in your wheel. If a belt gets too loose, a good wheel will have an easy tightening mechanism to keep your spinning easy.
  • Motor power is measured in horsepower and is not necessarily going to dictate the quality of your wheel. If it's unstable or too small, all the speed in the world won't help it.
    • The peak horsepower isn't nearly as important as the continuous duty horsepower. Wheels don't spin for short spurts.

What to Look For in All Wheels

  • Ergonomics affects how the legs of the wheel are placed.
    • Will you have to sit with your legs splayed on either side of the wheel? Will this be inappropriate or uncomfortable in your environment?
  • Working areas are added to some wheels, including shelving and additional counters to your wheel. What a great idea!
  • Height affects whether you'll throw sitting or standing.
    • Throwing from a sitting position will eventually wreak havoc on your back. There are many ways to raise a potters' wheel, some as simple as putting it on cinder blocks.
  • Stability comes with a heavier table and a wedged bottom.
    • Little rubber feet will keep the wheel grounded too.
  • Removable wheelhead should be easy. If it's not easy, it's awful.
  • Splash pans hold the slop from your throwing sessions.
    • Some, with clip-on pans, are shoddily made and leak or pop off.
    • Pottery Making Illustrated says, "If a wheel design incorporates an integrated pan type table, the wheelhead height should be below the top edge of the pan so that slop doesn't end up all over your clothing."
    • Some have built-in drains.
    • Others can hold a week's worth of slop.
    • Is it metal? Will that be cold on your legs?

Additional Links