Fabienne on tue 6 jan 98
Hello again, :)
I just perused catalogs and browsed the internet. Also, I could not find a
thread on this topic in the clayart archive (surprised). I just cannot
make a decision based on the vendors' spiel alone. So here I am, coming
to the source of it all.
I would like a good wheel this early in my learning because I want to
practice at home, too. But also, one I won't regret having once I can
throw decently. Whether it's a kick or electric wheel, 1/4 or 1hp,
reversible or not, etc. I don't know. There are too many alternatives;
what are the criteria to buy a wheel? What would you have consider if you
were on the market to buy a wheel?
Here are a few questions to help me track any consensus:
What are, say, the top 3 most important features in a wheel and the bottom
3? If you want to list them all, I won't stop you ;)
Which company seems to be most reliable and courteous?
How much would you expect to spend to get a good wheel (not entry level or
top of the line)? I have seen some prices, but I don't know if they are
inflated or not.
What about used wheels, if I can ever find one (no luck so far)?
TIA
--
Faye
Yes, I have learned from my mistakes...
I can reproduce them exactly.
Tim Stowell on wed 7 jan 98
I have a pacifica wheel and I love it. Wheels are very personal items. I
think the only way you can figure out what wheel you like is to try
several different wheels. Talk to some local potters, schools and
suppliers they may be able to help you find different models to try. I
mean this sincerely, you wouldn't buy a car without a test drive. Believe
me you'll spend more time at your wheel than you ever spent behind one.
For instance I almost bought a Brent wheel. When I tried a friends (who
would never buy any other brand than Brent) wheel I found out that there
was a hum that drove me crazy after a few pots. The hum was inaudible to
my a friend. I tried a Pacifica and it was love at first sight. Try, try,
try before you buy. When it comes to electric or kick, I find most people
like the kind they first learned on, if you go with an electric I would
suggest the most powerful one that you can afford.
Tim
Tim Stowell Gerard Stowell Pottery
Stacey Gerard 290 River Street
tstwll@juno.com Troy, NY 12180
(518)272-0983
KLeSueur on wed 7 jan 98
In a message dated 1/6/98 5:39:49 PM, you wrote:
<practice at home, too. But also, one I won't regret having once I can
throw decently. Whether it's a kick or electric wheel, 1/4 or 1hp,
reversible or not, etc. I don't know. There are too many alternatives;
what are the criteria to buy a wheel? What would you have consider if you
were on the market to buy a wheel?
>>
Whether you buy an electric or kickwheel is a matter of preference and
convenience. If you own your space, and anticpate living there for a long
time, and you love kickwheels, then buy a kickwheel. But if your life is in
flux and you don't know where you will be living over the next five years, buy
an electric wheel. It's lots easier to move.
Shimpo, Brent, and Soldner wheels have excellent reputations. My Shimpo is 10
years old. I gave away my old one, bought in 1976, to the local art
association and it's still working. The Soldner is a wonderful wheel with one
drawback for me. You have to maintain constant pressure on the pedal during
use. This can result in foot and leg cramps. This isn't necessary with Shimpo.
IMHO, Randall is the absolute best kickwheel ever made. If you want a
kickwheel and can afford it, but it.
A used wheel among any of these brands will likely be a good investment. If
you buy new, it isn't necessary to get the most powerful wheel unless you
anticipate doing really big (and I mean REALLY big) work.
Good luck,
Kathi LeSueur
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