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another kickwheel question

updated thu 12 jul 07

 

Lili Krakowski on wed 11 jul 07


Yes. The correct belief is that a very wide flywheel on a kickwheel, or one
well weighted at the outside rim, runs longer.

On the other hand, a heavier flywheel is that much more difficult to set in
motion. It really are the first kicks that matter to one's leg.

Kicking a flywheel can overtire or injure the leg. I once tore a ligament in
my calf because it was a cold day, I did not warm up, and snap....Deborah
mentioned her hamstring problem...I am not sure what the hamstring is...but
if kicking the wheel bothers it, should she add to the weight of the
flywheel?


Lili Krakowski
Be of good courage

Marek & Pauline Drzazga-Donaldson on wed 11 jul 07


Dear Lili,

what matters with a kickwheel is the dead weight that is useless, and =
this is point. A heavy flywheel with the majority of the weight on the =
rim is in fact EASY to kick up and stop. As with everything we do as =
potters it is the skill and not the strength that does it. I have seen =
well respected potters knocking ten tons of shit out of the flywheel =
trying to get speed. Whoaa there doggie! The art of a kickwheel is the =
momentum - the TORQUE - of the flywheel, and not the speed. Just chill =
and with almost a lope, brush the top of the flywheel with your foot, no =
real downward pressure required - as this is dead energy - just a =
tangential forward movement.

So sorry to disagree with you Lili, but as you say "the firsy kicks" are =
what matter, but not the way you are describing the kicking, and as I =
use my momentum kickwheel (flywheel 48" diameter and about 200lbs in =
weight) for many hours at a time with no twinges etc, along with many of =
my students, some over 65 years old, it is down to technique.

happy potting Marek


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an irreverent point of view after 35 years in the game Marek =
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