Vince Pitelka on mon 22 feb 10
Cheryl Aylward Whitesel wrote:
"I am not an expert potter...hobbyist, beyond beginner.=3DA0 I got a =3D
Thomas
Stuart Pro potter wheel a couple of years ago.=3DA0 It is 1 horsepower and =
=3D
I got
a motor upgrade for an extra $150, thinking I would never need to =3D
replace it
with a better wheel.=3DA0 I've started noticing that it does not go even =
=3D
as fast
as the Brent wheels at my clay class that have been in use for 20+ =3D
years.=3DA0
When centering, I am usually at top speed on the Thomas Stuart wheel, =3D
while
I never reach top speed on the Brent.=3DA0 I'm puzzled and have emailed =3D
Thomas
Stuart twice to ask them if their wheels do not go as fast as others on =3D
the
market, or what.=3DA0 No answer, either time.=3DA0 Does anyone know if =3D
Thomas Stuart
wheels do not reach high speeds?=3DA0 Any other thoughts?"
Cheryl -=3D20
In addition to having a very cool name, you also have one of the best
pottery wheels made. The Thomas Stuart wheel does not go at breakneck
speeds, because the people who designed the wheel knew that such high =3D
wheel
speeds are far more of a hindrance than an advantage. It simply is not
necessary to have such high speeds for any part of the =3D
centering/throwing
process, and once you get used to centering at a slower speed you will
prefer it. Give it a chance. =3D20
I do not know what the top speed is on a Thomas Stuart. As you probably
know, the Thomas Stuart wheels are now being made by Skutt, who is =3D
carrying
on the tradition. I suggest you call Skutt, because it is possible that
your foot pedal is out of adjustment, and that the maximum speed is set =3D
too
low. =3D20
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Tech University
vpitelka@dtccom.net; wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka
Randall Moody on tue 23 feb 10
This is from the TS Owners Manual. "The control adjustments are preset at
the factory for what should be the most ideal settings. Adjustments to thes=
e
settings can be tricky. Please contact the factory for more information
before attempting to make any adjustments.
If you do decide to make adjustments on your own, never do so with the whee=
l
plugged in to a power supply.
Unplug the wheel, make your adjustments and then plug the wheel in to test
those adjustments."
The foot pedal only holds the potentiometer. There are no speed adjustments
to be found in there as there are in the Brent. I believe that you would
have to open the box that contains the on/off switch.
I suspect that the Brents you are looking at have had their speed controls
messed with. Like Vince says, there is no need for high speed. At a recent
Shimpo VL Whisper demo I believe that the demonstrator mentioned that the
tops speed of that wheel was around 240rpms. That seems fast to me. BTW, I
own a TS Pro Series from before they were Skutt and love it. If I had to bu=
y
a new one, it would be a hard decision between the TS Pro and the Shimpo.
--Randall in Atlanta--
On Mon, Feb 22, 2010 at 10:11 PM, Vince Pitelka wrote=
:
> Cheryl Aylward Whitesel wrote:
> "I am not an expert potter...hobbyist, beyond beginner. I got a Thomas
> Stuart Pro potter wheel a couple of years ago.
>
> Cheryl -
> It simply is not
> necessary to have such high speeds for any part of the centering/throwing
> process, and once you get used to centering at a slower speed you will
> prefer it.
>
> I do not know what the top speed is on a Thomas Stuart. As you probably
> know, the Thomas Stuart wheels are now being made by Skutt, who is carryi=
ng
> on the tradition. I suggest you call Skutt, because it is possible that
> your foot pedal is out of adjustment, and that the maximum speed is set t=
oo
> low.
> - Vince
>
> Vince Pitelka
> Appalachian Center for Craft
> Tennessee Tech University
> vpitelka@dtccom.net; wpitelka@tntech.edu
> http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka
>
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