David W Gordon on wed 25 sep 96
This one has me stumped. I've been throwing on various wheels for a few
years now and centering has become somewhat second nature. However, after
buying a new Shimpo Master a few weeks ago, I'm finding that I'm having
to struggle to get almost anything centered. I've checked the level of
the wheel head and the wheel itself seems to be operating fine but even
small pieces are requiring a great deal of effort to approximate a
centered position.
Being unwilling to assign this problem to gremlins or some perverse
mental state, I am looking for suggestions to try. Any speculations
would be greatly appreciated.
Perplexed in Texas,
David
Sue Davis on thu 26 sep 96
Wow! Bummer. I've had a Shimpo wheel for the past 20 years and just purchased
a new Shimpo and have nothing but the greatest luck with it. Is your wheel
itself lever? I'm sure it is. Hmmmm. Try praying to the wheel gods. Good
luck.
Bill Aycock on thu 26 sep 96
At 10:47 AM 9/25/96 EDT, you (David) wrote: *** in part ***
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
>This one has me stumped.** New Shimpo Master ***
>** pieces are requiring a great deal of effort to approximate a
>centered position.**
.. Any speculations would be greatly appreciated.
>
David- this is PURE speculation, since it has been years since I laid hands
on a Shimpo, but--- the Shimpo has a small "footprint" which causes it to
react to some subtle differences
in mounting that a broader wheel might not feel.
If the wheel is on a surface with any resilience, as a carpet or mat, or the
rubber feet on the frame are too soft, no amount of leveling will stop small
rocking motions when you work.
I have seen a loose leg (one bolt missing) on an older "generic" three
legged wheel cause this. When you are intent on the clay, you tend to not
see motions in the frame that are enough to ruin your centering.
as I tried to imply-- pure guesswork from Bill on Persimmon Hill
>
Bill Aycock --- Persimmon Hill --- Woodville, Alabama, USA --- (in
the N.E. corner of the State)
also-- W4BSG -- Grid EM64
Lori Wilkinson on thu 26 sep 96
At 10:47 AM 9/25/96 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
>This one has me stumped. I've been throwing on various wheels for a few
>years now and centering has become somewhat second nature. However, after
>buying a new Shimpo Master a few weeks ago, I'm finding that I'm having
>to struggle to get almost anything centered. I've checked the level of
>the wheel head and the wheel itself seems to be operating fine but even
>small pieces are requiring a great deal of effort to approximate a
>centered position.
David,
Could it be the hieght of this wheel head is different? What about your
distance from the wheel head? I find both of these have a bearing on my
centering. It doesn't take much to throw it off if you have not been
acclimated to using different wheels. Hang in there. Good Luck.
Lori Wilkinson in Roswell NM
Susan Maguire on thu 26 sep 96
<<
This one has me stumped. I've been throwing on various wheels for a few
years now and centering has become somewhat second nature. However, after
buying a new Shimpo Master a few weeks ago, I'm finding that I'm having
to struggle to get almost anything
centered.>>>
9/26/96
Hi David... Do you have your instruction book for the Shimpo?
It's been a long time since I looked at it (my shimpo is about 12 years old)
but I distinctly remember reading the the foot petal MUST be in the
down(stop) position when the wheel is not in use. They explain how the
rubber drive ring surface will be dented. See if this helps your centering
problem..
Good luck!
Susan Maguire, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
smaguire@bcfreenet.seflin.lib.fl.us
Anne McFadden on fri 27 sep 96
> after buying a new Shimpo Master a few weeks ago, I'm finding that
>I'm having to struggle to get almost anything centered. I've checked the level
>the wheel head and the wheel itself seems to be operating fine but even
>small pieces are requiring a great deal of effort to approximate a
>centered position.
David - i have had a shimpo masterseries M400 for about ... 8 months
now, and mine's solid as a rock... doesn't flinch, so I'm also a little
perplexed at your problem too. If the wheel and wheelhead are both
level, maybe check that the surface your wheel's sitting on a stable
surface. (mine's on a concrete floor) Perhaps the wheelhead off centre a
bit, maybe the shaft that the wheelhead sits on..? ..I dunno. Maybe check
with the manufacturer for their input. You never know, maybe there
have been similar complaints from other potters.. could be a bad
batch of machining.
I'd be interested to hear more once the problem is identified. Best
of luck.
Anne in Beeton.
Anne McFadden on fri 27 sep 96
Hi again David -
One thing I forgot to mention in my last email on this...
When I bought my M400, I chose to get the smaller one
piece splashpan instead of the ginormous one that is seen in all the
ads, which normally comes with the wheel.
Its a little more difficult to get at the splashpan to clean out
scraps, but I am definitely closer to the wheelhead when I'm throwing.
I found that to be a help.
....hope u do too :)
ttyl.............anne in beeton
Leonard Smith on fri 27 sep 96
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
>This one has me stumped. I've been throwing on various wheels for a few
>years now and centering has become somewhat second nature. However, after
>buying a new Shimpo Master a few weeks ago, I'm finding that I'm having
>to struggle to get almost anything centered. I've checked the level of
>the wheel head and the wheel itself seems to be operating fine but even
>small pieces are requiring a great deal of effort to approximate a
>centered position.
>
>Being unwilling to assign this problem to gremlins or some perverse
>mental state, I am looking for suggestions to try. Any speculations
>would be greatly appreciated.
>
>Perplexed in Texas,
>
>David
Two things to think about here.
1 Shimpo wheels can go both clockwise and anticlockwise and if you learn't
to centre one way the opposite direction is most disconcerting. This has
happened to me and it took me a while to work out what was wrong.
2 After potting for about 2 years when I suddenly couldn't centre. I don't
know why maybe I became too conscious of it all. I got through it by just
ignoring it, sure the pots were slightly off centre for a while but the
problem went away. Anyway no pot that we throw is truely centered ie
machine like, The very essence of our hands on craft is to be found in
these very irregularities inherent in our humanness.
So if the wheel is going in the right direction, just forget about it and
the problem will dissapear and you will be going in the right direction as
well.
Best wishes
Leo
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