How to Choose a Pottery Wheel
Looking to buy a pottery wheel? There are several points to consider before you purchase;
Your skill level and speed – the speed of a wheel is directly related to the skill of the potter using it; the faster the wheel head rotates,
the more experienced the potter needs to be.The size of the pieces you wish to throw – if you plan to make large ware in the future, you will need a wheel head that can take heavy
amounts of clay i.e. larger wheel head, thicker shaft, speed lock control.The space that you have available in your studio – there are different sizes of wheel and the selection will depend upon the floor space
that you have.
Wheels also come in various styles of propulsion like kick, momentum and electric. Kick and Momentum wheels have been used since 4000BC. Today it is normally driven by a form of electric motor, allowing the potter to concentrate entirely on their hands and the clay as they work.
There are three main methods to get your pottery wheel turning. There are pros and cons to each, so it’s up to you to choose the one that best fits your preferences:
Belt drive – The electric motor is attached to the pottery wheel using a belt, similar to a chain on a bike. Belt-driven pottery wheels are typically smaller, lighter, and more affordable, but belts wear out over time and will need to be replaced. Luckily, maintenance on belt-driven wheels is pretty straightforward, since all the components are separate. The motors are also less powerful compared to a direct-drive wheel.
Direct drive – The electric motor is attached to the wheel itself and spins using a magnet system. These wheels are much stronger and more responsive than belt-drive units, but they’re also heavier and a bit more expensive. While they might cost a few more dollars, they’re also much more reliable. A direct-drive pottery wheel will likely last a lifetime.
Kick wheel – If you’re not a fan of fancy modern electrical devices, or you plan on throwing where there’s no access to power, you can choose a kick-wheel setup. Kick-wheel pottery wheels have a spinning platform under the wheel. You spin the platform with your feet as you work to maintain and adjust the speed of the table. Without the motor, these are the most affordable pottery wheels, but they also take the most work and practice to use effectively.
When choosing a pottery wheel for beginners, an electric-powered wheel is best. If you can spare a few extra dollars and don’t need to move the wheel around as much, a direct-drive unit will give you the most power, longevity and responsiveness.
An example of new electric wheel prices 01/2024:
Shimpo Wheel RK3E VL Whisper $2800
Shimpo Aspire Wheel RK5TF $1350
Venco Wheel No3 Series ll $1915
Venco Wheel Direct Drive Series ll $2530
There are other brands however these two have fantastic reputations in quality of build and longevity of service.
You can find cheaper pottery wheels all over the internet, but there’s a good chance they’ll break or you’ll outgrow them quickly. It’s always a good idea to choose a quality wheel that will support your pottery hobby and let you grow your skills.
Secondhand wheels come up for sale every now and then on Marketplace and Gumtree and range in price from approximately $600 to $1200 depending on condition and age.
