Ric Swenson on tue 29 jul 97
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I like the Lockerbie, large table, you sit higher than most wheels, has a
>large fly wheel if you want to kick, rugged, simple,reasonable price.
-------------reply---------------
my $0.02...on the subject of wheels....
I have used the following wheels...(and probably a few others that were not
quite so memorable)....in the past 30 years....
1.) #1 AMACO, two speed electric
2.) Kloppenstein treadle (left leg pumps while right hip leans on hip rest.
Good class demo wheel!)
3.) Lockerbie kick and motorized models
4.) Shimpo (several models)
5.) Pacifica electric.
6.) Creative Industries electric.
7.) Home made electric driven tractor three speed transmission (shift!!!)
8.) Ancient (100 yrs +?) wooden kickwheels at Morante Pottery in Talavera
de la Reina, Espana.
9.) Leach treadle.
10.) Plywood kit kick wheel. (Brent?)
11.) Brent a, b, c and cxc
12.) Soldner electric.
For the type of work I do.... (up to max 50 lbs of clay, and do many 2'
tall jars, throwing off the hump, producing sculptural "shapes" for
non-pottery clay stuff,) and the condition of my 6' 2" frame, back, knees
and ankles (not too bad for a balding 50 year old, but not able to kick
comfortably anymore for long periods), ....I prefer a portable electric
wheel with D.C. "electronic" foot pedal.
The Brent CXC with the double v belt drive (the old direct drive was nice,
but noisy) is my favorite all time wheel. I bought mine in Anchorage in
1973 or 74. It has been used a lot, travelled up and down the Alaska
Highway in a VW van, and been in a small two seater airplane to Bethel,
Alaska. I have extension legs for it so I can throw standing up if I want
to demonstrate to a big crowd, or give my back a break when I throw some
smaller pieces. The belts are frayed, but original. I check the alignment
regularly. The rather large investment, at the time about $500. as I
remember (Don?) was well worth it. I'm sure they cost more now, but if you
are serious and you make wares that fit with the idea and philosophy of a
smooth electric wheel, the Brent CXC is your best bet. Second place goes
to Pacifica...smooth and almost as powerful.
Your decision will have to be driven by your budget, size wares, current
skill level...and the level in 5 years... If you have the opportunity to
try out various types, that would be best.
----
and now to ramble to the subject of "handmade"...for a few lines....(Kevlar
jockey shorts adjusted....)
The purist view might be that handmade pottery ought to be made on a kick
wheel and no motors be involved. I had an interesting discussion with
Margaritte Wildenhein on that topic...mostly she talked and I
listened....She wanted no motors in her studio and yet threw with ribs in
both hands. I had trouble understanding that...but probably just me. I
have no problems with motors...or any tool that helps do the job. This
computer is just another tool, isn't it?
I worked around RAM presses and casting benches for 14 years at Bennington
Potters, Inc. No one there pretends that the wares are "handmade"
(hand-finished/trimmed/sponged...but not "handmade".) On factory tours
many people were surprised that so many machines were involved...and so few
people. The work there is designed for the RAM process or the casting
process. Not quite heavy industry, but certainly mechanized more than the
studio potter's shop.
If something says handmade, it ought to be handmade. Truth in advertising
eh? Now, define handmade. ..."Ah, There lies the rub..." as Will S. said.
The public's definition of what is handmade....or "handmade looking" is
probably different from the skilled potter's definition? It occurs to me
that education of the public as to what the definition of "handmade" is,
might be a place to start. Can we all agree on a definition? Maybe yes,
maybe no. Grist for the mill.
more than two cents worth maybe...
Ric
Ric Swenson, Bennington College, Route 67 -A, Bennington, Vermont 05201-6001
802 442-5401 x 262 vox x 237 fax or dedicated fax 802 442-6164
email: rswenson@bennington.edu
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