Naida Harris-Morgan on fri 7 nov 97
I'm a 'new potter' who has been using our local Guild's studio for
the past two years. I'm now looking to buy my own wheel and haven't
a clue what to look for or which kind I should buy.
Up until now I've been using an electric Brent Wheel, but even the used electri
great things about kick wheels from those who use them and I'm
leaning towards this kind - if anyone has any advice on what things I
should be looking for (in a used one) I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks!
Naida Harris-Morgan
Program Assistant
Nonprofit Management & Leadership Program
Tel: (416) 736-5092
Fax: (416) 650-8071
Email: nhmorgan@bus.yorku.ca
Website: http://www.yorku.ca/dept/nmlp
Mike Wright on sat 8 nov 97
This is purely a matter of preference. I learned on electric-kickwheels
(Lockerbie & Randall). I still prefer them. However, for the last 19
years I've gotten along just fine with a little Pacifica Glyde-Torc -- small
portable, and powerful. Yet, just this morning, I ordered Lockerbie
electric-kick. I really like the control you get with a kickwheel, and
the added ease of an electric motor.
As for brand advice, my Pacifica was a workhorse. Needed one new belt
in all those years of service. Period. Brents are reputed to be very
good. Ditto with Shimpos. Soldners are wonderful to work with and I
believe very durable. As for big kickwheels, Lockerbies are great, as
Randalls are. My students have a roomful of Thomas-Stuart kickwheels
and they're fine, although I wouldn't care to sit at one for long periods
of time--too upright.
Basically, find a model/style you like and go for it. I don't think you
could go wrong with any of the brands I mentioned, just be sure to choose
one that fits you physically, and that can handle whatever you're likely
to dish out. And if you'd prefer something more expensive, but think you
*should* buy something cheap, don't do it.
Mike Wright (who has a little Pacifica wheel for sale...)
Poverty Ridge Pottery
Ackworth, Iowa
At 07:50 AM 11/7/97 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I'm a 'new potter' who has been using our local Guild's studio for
>the past two years. I'm now looking to buy my own wheel and haven't
>a clue what to look for or which kind I should buy.
>
>Up until now I've been using an electric Brent Wheel, but even the used
electri
>great things about kick wheels from those who use them and I'm
>leaning towards this kind - if anyone has any advice on what things I
>should be looking for (in a used one) I would greatly appreciate it.
>
>
>Thanks!
>Naida Harris-Morgan
>Program Assistant
>Nonprofit Management & Leadership Program
>
>Tel: (416) 736-5092
>Fax: (416) 650-8071
>Email: nhmorgan@bus.yorku.ca
>Website: http://www.yorku.ca/dept/nmlp
>
>
Ron Wright on tue 27 jan 98
My daughter has decided to join me in my fascination for playing with
dirt. But I'm to busy to build another wheel (I won't let her near mine
without signing a release) so I'm buying her one. I've narrowed the
choices down to a Pacifica GT400 or a Brent model B. I've never tried
either one of these wheel's, so I'm asking y'all with some experience,
which one?
Thanks
Ron Wright
Shiresham pottery - Chicago
http://www.concentric.net/~wrright
Wilkinson on wed 28 jan 98
Ron,
For the past 8 years I have used a Brent and for the money found it to be a
good piece of equipment. What has impressed me the most is the service and
help I have received from Amaco with the few problems I have had. Their
service department is excellent to work with. They go more than the extra
mile to make things right. Living 200 miles from anywhere, that is a
priority to me. Good luck on your decision.
LorWilk@dfn.com
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/1165
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> My daughter has decided to join me in my fascination for playing with
> dirt. But I'm to busy to build another wheel (I won't let her near mine
> without signing a release) so I'm buying her one. I've narrowed the
> choices down to a Pacifica GT400 or a Brent model B. I've never tried
> either one of these wheel's, so I'm asking y'all with some experience,
> which one?
>
> Thanks
> Ron Wright
> Shiresham pottery - Chicago
> http://www.concentric.net/~wrright
Rick Brady on wed 28 jan 98
I'm strictly a hobby potter but I have been using a GT400 for about 3
years without any problems. Our local parks and rec ceramic studio,
where I started wheel throwing uses Brent B's which also seem fine but
receive much more use in the studio. My decision to purchase the
Pacifica GT400 was partially based on cost at the time I was ready to
buy. I found it significantly cheaper at Bennett's in FL. Anyway,
after three years of use in my home studio (aka garage) the GT400 has
held up fine and I'm happy to recommend it to you.
> ----------
> From: Ron Wright[SMTP:WRRIGHT@concentric.net]
> Reply To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
> Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 1998 10:13 AM
> To: Multiple recipients of list CLAYART
> Subject: wheel advice
>
> ----------------------------Original
> message----------------------------
> My daughter has decided to join me in my fascination for playing with
> dirt. But I'm to busy to build another wheel (I won't let her near
> mine
> without signing a release) so I'm buying her one. I've narrowed the
> choices down to a Pacifica GT400 or a Brent model B. I've never tried
> either one of these wheel's, so I'm asking y'all with some experience,
> which one?
>
> Thanks
> Ron Wright
> Shiresham pottery - Chicago
> http://www.concentric.net/~wrright
>
Cindy on wed 28 jan 98
Ron,
I have a Brent B which I've given quite a bit of use for the last two plus
years. (That's as long as I've been throwing, but lots of people have used
them for over a decade with no problems, I hear.) I like it a lot. It slows
down under pressure of centering more than ten or so pounds. Otherwise, no
complaints.
Cindy in Custer, SD
Anthony G Allison on wed 28 jan 98
Hi Ron,
We have had a Brent B and a C in our studio now for 7 years and they have
helped us make thousands of pots. The only prob weve dealt with is a card
replacement in the foot pedal ( an easy 20.00 repair) These wheels
regularily are loaded with 25 lb hunks of clay with no complaining. I'd say
a Brent is a good value!
Tony
At 01:13 PM 1/27/98 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>My daughter has decided to join me in my fascination for playing with
>dirt. But I'm to busy to build another wheel (I won't let her near mine
>without signing a release) so I'm buying her one. I've narrowed the
>choices down to a Pacifica GT400 or a Brent model B. I've never tried
>either one of these wheel's, so I'm asking y'all with some experience,
>which one?
>
>Thanks
>Ron Wright
>Shiresham pottery - Chicago
>http://www.concentric.net/~wrright
>
amy parker on wed 28 jan 98
have been looking myself at these. pacifica is rated at 1/2 horsepower,
brent at 1/3. pacifica is supposed to center 80 lbs - brent 25.
i have used the CXC but not the B, and our pacifica has lost its label,
but i think it is the 800. i'm leaning toward the pacifica, since it looks
to be "stronger" from the specs. looking forward to more info on this myself.
prices seem to be about the same.
At 01:13 PM 1/27/98 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>My daughter has decided to join me in my fascination for playing with
>dirt. But I'm to busy to build another wheel (I won't let her near mine
>without signing a release) so I'm buying her one. I've narrowed the
>choices down to a Pacifica GT400 or a Brent model B. I've never tried
>either one of these wheel's, so I'm asking y'all with some experience,
>which one?
>
>Thanks
>Ron Wright
>Shiresham pottery - Chicago
>http://www.concentric.net/~wrright
>
>
amy parker Lithonia, GA
amyp@sd-software.com
Wesley R. Handrow on wed 28 jan 98
Brent!! It is the best electric wheel made in my oppion. I would buy
nothing else even if it was half the price.
Joyce Lee on thu 29 jan 98
After too much trouble installing the more or less permanent splash pan
on my new Shimpo, I must say it was worth every bit of the effort. And I
know that every customer doesn't have the problems I had initially. I
LOVE my Shimpo. The splash pan suits the way I work perfectly. The
Shimpo sits side by side with my Brent. I like the Brent but it never
completely stops turning unless I switch it off. Annoying. I now use it
almost exclusively for trimming, although I hope as I improve (I am
improving, thank goodness and clayarters)there will be separate series
of pots in progress on both wheels. Every potter who has thrown on my
Shimpo has also expressed appreciation of its wonders.
Joyce
In the Mojave oddly encouraged by Tom Wirt's post about his
functional pots beginning to come along after throwing 30,000 of the
little suckers.
Mary Klotz on thu 29 jan 98
Can we hear from Shimpo owners?
Mary, foresthrt@aol.com
Lesley Hildreth on thu 29 jan 98
The Brent CXC is 1 hp and centers 100 lbs (I should be so lucky as to even
lift that!) Have been very happy with it.
Lesley / Va Beach
Daystar267 on thu 29 jan 98
I have a Shimpo wheel for 30 years, have worked it very hard and never had any
trouble with it. I bought a second Shimpo because of the great dependability,
quiet, reliable working of this thing. I sold the first wheel and I miss it. I
have tried other wheels but still love my Shimpo.
Sue Davis
KLeSueur on thu 29 jan 98
In a message dated 1/29/98 8:00:13 AM, you wrote:
<>>
I purchased my first Shimpo in 1976. I donated it to our local art association
in 1989. It's still working fine for them. I replaced it with a new Shimpo in
1989 (middle of the line). It has better action than my first one, especially
at extremely slow speeds. It's used daily for hours. No problems. An excellent
wheel.
Kathi
Mmpottery on fri 30 jan 98
I havent been following this thread until now but I have to say I throw on a
Soldner wheel and I think it is the best. I have used Brents and Shimpos and
to the me the Soldner is the Mercedes of wheels.
rscorl on fri 30 jan 98
Joyce,
There is a simple adjustment screw on your foot pedal. Tools required :
screwdriver.
Even if you have mechaniphobia, you can pull this one off ! Go for it girl!
> I like the Brent but it never completely stops turning unless I switch it
> off.
Ron
Big Baby Head Pottery
Elizabeth A. Ringus on fri 30 jan 98
Mary, I have an almost 20 year old RK2 Shimpo wheel. It was my first
electric wheel after having only worked on kickwheels. This model has the
hand control lever/foot pedal attached to the body and it came with a
splashpan that had a small table part molded on it. I got this wheel because
I liked the fact that it had handgrips built inside and could easily be
moved. The rotation can go clockwize or counter clockwize. The motor is
strong and very durable. I only had to spend $10 on a new drive ring a
couple years ago. After this amount of use, it hums kind of loud now and
then - maybe something needs tightening. The only thing I don't like about
it is that it doesn't have a smooth slow start, and with the way the foot
pedal is constructed, I can't put the wheel on blocks if I want to start
standing up while turning pots - Yes, it has a hand lever, but it doesn't
lock at variable speeds so that you can turn without having to hold the
lever. Maybe the new Shimpos have solved these problems. I think I got a
good wheel because it has held up for a long time and I can't afford to buy
a new wheel with the prices now days.
***********
Also - to the potters who wanted the "WALLACE AND GROMIT" videos. I got one
today at my super Wal*Mart for $6.96 (plus tx) They have all three titles
that were asked about in past clayart posts.
Love the spring weather and the Robins have returned!!!!
Happy potting!
Liz in Sunny SC :-)
USA
Mary Klotz wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Can we hear from Shimpo owners?
>
> Mary, foresthrt@aol.com
Ben Putnam on fri 30 jan 98
Pacifica and Brent. Two great choices. I teach ceramics at a highschool in New
Hampshire and have both in my studio. Brent is the industry's big boy. They
make great durable wheels and are easy to fix. But, they are also fairly
expensive. In my opinion, yes, the Brent is probably a better wheel. But,
for a beginer to intermediate potter I would definatly go with the Pacifica.
The design is almost identical to the Brent. The centering capacity is pretty
close and they are fairly well built. And they are a few hundred dollars
cheaper. My two complants about the Pacifica are: 1. the reverse direction
option, with a simple throw of a switch you can make your wheel spin clockwise
as apposed to counter clockwise. An unneccisary bell and whistle as far as
I'm concerned. It just confuses my kids. 2. There is a screw on the foot
pedal which I can't get to stay tight. It is constantly loosening so when you
take your foot off the pedal the wheel spins unsuspecting student masterpieces
into the laps of their neighbors.
What I'm really interested in though are your plans on constucting your own
wheel.
Willing to share?
Ben Putnam
Winnacunnet High School
Hampton NH
603-926-3395
William Rapf on fri 30 jan 98
I've owned one Shimpo for my studio which has been in operation since 1971.
Runs great, no problems. I've bought for the 3 different school systems that
I have worked in over the past 30 years a total of 16 additional Shimpo's
identical to the one in my studio. (I think it's an RK10, but can't remember
for sure) The Schools wheels get used constantly with not always the most
tender care and hold up. Other than tightening some set screws, there has
been no problems with any of them. I have not put other wheels to such
tests, but why bother when the Shimpo is all and more than one would want for
either personal or HS studio work.
Bill R.
Amherst, NH
David Buck on fri 30 jan 98
KLeSueur wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
> In a message dated 1/29/98 8:00:13 AM, you wrote:
>
> <> >>
>
> I purchased my first Shimpo in 1976. I donated it to our local art association
> in 1989. It's still working fine for them. I replaced it with a new Shimpo in
> 1989 (middle of the line). It has better action than my first one, especially
> at extremely slow speeds. It's used daily for hours. No problems. An excellent
> wheel.
>
> Kathi
I also bought a shimpo Rk-10 basic in 1990. It works well. Its one
problem is lack of work space for tools, water ect. I built a table out
of counter-top material cut to fit against the splash pan. I used the
two bolts on top of the machine to connect both together. I built
several more for all the Shimpo wheels at the Nepean Sportsplex. I have
centered two bags, (1 box), of clay on a 28 inch bat using a shimpo
wheel and made a 70 pound pot when I took my wheel to Vermont for Robert
Compton's Giant Pot Workshop.
David B. Buck
Debby Grant on fri 30 jan 98
I can't understand why noone has mentioned the motorized Randall
wheel which I think is the cadillac of wheels. I have had one for 37
years and it has been a joy and is also easy on the back. I also
have a Brent and a Shimpo and of those two I much prefer the
Brent. The only draw back to the Randall is that it requires more
space because of the heavy fly wheel.
Debby Grant in NH
Shelley S on fri 30 jan 98
Thomas Stuart has also just started producing electric wheels which you may
want to check out. I think they have an ad in the new Ceramics Monthly.
Shelley
Peggy Heer on fri 30 jan 98
Hi Guys...bought my Shimpo in 1968 for a whopping price of 375.00..and have
used it for 30 yrs...no problems ever. Checked out the inside a few yrs.
ago and no wear or tear anywhere. Still have the second set of parts they
gave to me when I purchased it. Great wheel. IF I ever buy another it
will be a Shimpo.
Have also a home made wheel, made by an old friend, same time frame '68,
cost...169.00 which I now use it for trimming. I use this one to throw
when I get nostalgic or I have someone working in my studio.
As Always in Clay Peggy
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
><
Peggy Heer / Heer Pottery E-Mail p4337@connect.ab.ca
52120 Range Road 223
Sherwood Park, AB. Canada T8C 1A7
Phone (403) 922-6270
http://www.ffa.ucalgary.ca/artists/pheer/
Wendy Moore on sat 31 jan 98
I'll preface this with the fact that I do not own the machines that I use
but have tremendous access to them at the community college where I take
classes. I have been using the same 20 year-old + Shimpo for three years
now and love it. I have used the brand new Brent CXC models but always go
back to the Shimpo. I throw standing up and the Shimpo has a hand lever
attached to the foot pedal making for an easier time on my back. Also the
Shimpo splash pan is metal and very rigid . I'm a large woman and lean
heavily on the pan to center larger amounts of clay. (By large amounts,
I'm referring to 8-10 lbs. I know just a weakling...) The Brents, with
their split, plastic pans don't give me the same support. I know this wheel
is old and slips under the weight of very large amounts of clay, but my
wrists will never hold up under that much clay. I'm hoping that when the
college gets ready to replace this one, they'll let me purchase it even
though it will be older than the Kentucky hills my husband and I will
retire to. I hope this helps in your decision making.
Wendy Moore, the Apron Lady
in Muggy, Muddy, Mid-winter?, Michigan
Mary Klotz wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Can we hear from Shimpo owners?
>
> Mary, foresthrt@aol.com
marvin s flowerman on sat 31 jan 98
What would you like to know from Shimpo wheel owners/users?
I have owned and operated Shimpo wheels for about 10/11 years.
In general, they work and stand up very well.
Criticisms: Foot pedal and hand-operated arm are cast in one piece and
attached to side of the wheel, on the model I have. Thus, if you wanted
to work standing up, with the wheel itself elevated, there is no
comfortable way that I have been able to find to use the foot pedal. I
queried shimpo as to whether or not they had a kit that would enable me
to have a detachable foot control, but they do not have such an animal.
Also, there is a screw control on the underside of the wheel which, when
in proper adjustment, keeps the wheel head stationary when the control is
in the stopped position; that screw sometimes needs adjustment in order
to keep the wheel head stopped.
If I were buying another wheel, I would want a model with the foot pedal,
operating through a flexible cable, that can remain on the floor, even if
the wheel itself were raised so that throwing from an upright position
was possible.
If you have other questions, you can reach me either on the list or by
direst e-mail to marvpots@aol.com
Good luck!
Marvin Flowerman
_____________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com
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Jeannine DeWald on sun 1 feb 98
A lot depends on personal preference. I learned on Brent Bs, and bought
a Pacifica 400 when I set up my home studio because of the price
difference. They're both good wheels, but I like the Pacifica better.
Seems to me that it holds a constant speed better during centering than
the Brent, but I have friends who don't notice a difference. The
Pacifica does have a larger work table, which is definitely nice.
Jeannine DeWald
Bradford on sun 1 feb 98
We have a Pacifica GT 400 and a Shimpo M750.
I use the Pacifica almost every day, its reliable and fairly quiet. The
Shimpo is okay, but I wouldn't get another one. We purchased it last
May. When it arrived we immediately set it up and tried it
out...beautiful! It was wonderfully quiet, a very important feature to
me. But, that lasted only about one week. Then it started getting
noisy...not too bad at first but by the end of the month I had to shout
to be heard over the roar. Ended up being the motor mounts weren't
bolted in so my husband fixed it. However, its still fairly loud so
apparently there's something else askew. We'll figure it out one of
these days but in the meantime its pretty annoying.
Tracy
millie carpenter on sun 1 feb 98
Okay,
I have two fairly old shimpos. one was really well used from the early
70's and I bought it used, the only thing that I have had to do to it
was drill holes for bat pins. the other is a few years younger, and it
was in storage for about 10 years. no problems. the High school that I
am teaching in (but I am not the clay person) has 12 shimpos of varying
ages, I think that the only thing that will hurt them is if the roof
(which leaks) caves in on them, and then only if they are totally
crushed. I origionly bought the first shimpo because it was affordable,
being used. I don't know what I would have done if price had not been a
consideration then.
I don't know if this helps. but they are very solid.
Millie in Md. where we have yet to have winter ( and that's okay!)
the only problem is that if you take the splash pan off, there is no
place to balance a bucket of water and the tools. so I have had to set
up a wooden crate to balance the stuff on.
Mary Klotz wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Can we hear from Shimpo owners?
>
> Mary, foresthrt@aol.com
Jan Wax on sun 1 feb 98
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>What would you like to know from Shimpo wheel owners/users?
>
I used a Shimpo almost daily for 25 years before anything broke down. I
think this is because of the unique, cone-driven feature. Now it needs some
sort of ring that I'm trying to locate. The one sent to me from a ceramics
supplier was the wrong part, wrong model, but I anticipate many more years
of use after this simple repair is made. The thing I like best about my
Shimpo is how quiet it is. I also own a Brent, and there are some features
I like even more about the Brent, such as the detached foot pedal, but it
isn't as quiet as the Shimpo, and that's important to me.
Jan
Riff Fenton on mon 2 feb 98
bought a studio model Soldner in 1974
running like new today.
most impressive is its strength: while I can bring to a stop some
belt driven brands with as little a 5 lbs or so, I can't seem to
even slow down this ol'guy. I'm afraid that if I forced the issue
the whole base would swing around and knock me off my stool.
The base BTW is made of off the shelf angle iron etc which makes
replacement real easy. The foot feed is like an auto gas pedel
automatically returning to nothing when your foot is taken off,
so you can't throw too well if you have to adjust your right foot.
I just put a brick under my right heel and learned to throw that
way. I don't think the new ones are like that. If the new ones
are an improvement of my 1974 model, I can't imagine a better wheel.
maybe a 14 inch wheelhead which I think was standard on their
professional model
Riff
Ron Wright on mon 2 feb 98
After all the replies and email to my question on Pacifica versus Brent,
I found that the Thomas Stuart electric wheel was only a little more. So
I canceled the Pacifica and ordered the Thomas Stuart. Just don't throw
any virtual rocks at me. Thanks again for all the advice. Also, I have
just teseted a floating blue, and a terriffic sort of floating green,
cone 6. If anyone is interested I will post the recipes and put photo's
on my web site. Ron Roy's version of PMSP-4 base came out very nice.
Ron Wright
Shiresham Pottery - Chicago
http://www.concentric.net/~wrright
The Kiln Guy on tue 3 feb 98
Hi everyone & Ron,
I haven`t seen anyone mention the `Creative Industries` pottery wheels.
They are worth looking into.
Chris @ Euclid's Kilns and Elements
1-800-296-5456
Web Site: http://www.euclids.com
E-Mail: mail@euclids.com
Kalin and Kim Wilson on wed 4 feb 98
Hello,
I was also wondering why no one had mentioned the wheels from Creative
Industries. I've had one for a little over a year and really enjoy mine.
Plus there is a distributor located in town so if I have any problems I can
take it in.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU]On Behalf
> Of The Kiln Guy
> Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 1998 7:26 AM
> To: Multiple recipients of list CLAYART
> Subject: Re: wheel advice
>
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi everyone & Ron,
> I haven`t seen anyone mention the `Creative Industries` pottery wheels.
> They are worth looking into.
> Chris @ Euclid's Kilns and Elements
> 1-800-296-5456
> Web Site: http://www.euclids.com
> E-Mail: mail@euclids.com
>
Vince Pitelka on fri 6 feb 98
Regarding the comments on Shimpo wheels, whether or not the pedal and speed
will stay put when you remove your foot from the pedal depends on which
model you have. My wheel is a 20 year-old home-built immitation of an RK-1
(I hope I have that model number right. This is the FIRST Shimpo sold in
this country), in which the motor slides horizontally to engage the drive
cone with the rubber friction ring. The pedal stays wherever you put it on
these models. The subsequent model , the RK-2, has a tilting motor
assembly, and the drive cone has a corresponding curved surface. This wheel
sucks. The drive system is a cheap alternative to the previous one, and
Shimpo should be ashamed of themselves for ever introducing it. I perhaps
have more reason than some to complain about the RK-2, because almost all
the wheels we have here at the Craft Center are RK-2s. They just happen to
be what was being made by Shimpo when our facility was built and equipped in
the late 70s, and whoever ordered them didn't know better. I cannot speak
for the newer shimpos, but if they have not solved this problem, they are
idiots. Of course, judging from that one-piece splash pans they still use
on their fancy new wheels, THEY ARE IDIOTS. For my money, the original RK-1
is the best wheel they have ever built. If you turn over any Shimpo, you
can immediately see whether the motor assembly hinges or slides.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
Home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Dana Henson on fri 6 feb 98
I have to agree with everyone who mentioned Creative Industries wheels. I have
had one for five years and it runs as smooth as butter. It is a really good
wheel---I especially like the design and the foot pedal. The foot pedal never
"jumps."
Dana Henson
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