McArdle, Karen on wed 3 feb 99
Hi, I am the ceramics prof. at Univ. of St. Francis in FT. Wayne, IN and we
are in the process of planning for a new building, so I am looking for all
kinds of technical information. Right now I have some money to buy equipment
and I want to purchase up to 5 new wheels. We currently have 3 Shimpo's,
one Soldner and one Brent in our studio. They are probably all older models.
I have called several distributors and find that Shimpo now has a belt drive
wheel that is cheaper than the older RK10 by at least $100. Bailey has a new
wheel out which they are promoting. Does anyone have any input about these
wheels. I want to get the most value for the money and get a product that
will hold up well and be easy to maintain. Also any thoughts on what
horsepower is adequate in a small university setting. I realize the bigger
motors handle more clay, but do they hold up any longer? Most of my
students are beginners, so they aren't throwing large amounts of clay. Any
input would be appreciated
Ric Swenson on thu 4 feb 99
The best wheel.??.....electric?
I will hear about this from people...but here goes my neck...stretched
out...
personal opinion after 30 years....
# 1 - The Brent CXC......
IMHO.......it is the finest wheel around....for ALL types of
students....it will last FOREVER with raw beginners...and a very LONG
time with intermediate and advanced students.....a real workhorse for
me, personally, for over 25 years.
I have used all type...taught with all types and find the Brent the
best.
Other will have their own opinions of course...sorting through the
morass may take a while. Each manufacturer's wheel has it's own
advantages/disadvantages/cost factors/etc...but Brent is best. Second
best is Torque Glide....then Soldner...then Shimpo...then
Lockerbie...etc...
HTH
Ric Swenson
Bennington
McArdle, Karen wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi, I am the ceramics prof. at Univ. of St. Francis in FT. Wayne, IN and we
> are in the process of planning for a new building, so I am looking for all
> kinds of technical information. Right now I have some money to buy equipment
> and I want to purchase up to 5 new wheels. We currently have 3 Shimpo's,
> one Soldner and one Brent in our studio. They are probably all older models.
> I have called several distributors and find that Shimpo now has a belt drive
> wheel that is cheaper than the older RK10 by at least $100. Bailey has a new
> wheel out which they are promoting. Does anyone have any input about these
> wheels. I want to get the most value for the money and get a product that
> will hold up well and be easy to maintain. Also any thoughts on what
> horsepower is adequate in a small university setting. I realize the bigger
> motors handle more clay, but do they hold up any longer? Most of my
> students are beginners, so they aren't throwing large amounts of clay. Any
> input would be appreciated
Andrew Buck on thu 4 feb 99
Karen,
I would recommend buying motorized Lockerbie kickwheels for any school
situation. They are built to last. The half horsepower motor is strong
enough for just about anything your students are going to through at
them.(pun pun) You might check out the new Lockerbie electric wheel too.
They build good equipment.
Andy Buck
Raincreek Pottery
Port Orchard, Washington
On Wed, 3 Feb 1999, McArdle, Karen wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi, I am the ceramics prof. at Univ. of St. Francis in FT. Wayne, IN and we
> are in the process of planning for a new building, so I am looking for all
> kinds of technical information. Right now I have some money to buy equipment
> and I want to purchase up to 5 new wheels. We currently have 3 Shimpo's,
> one Soldner and one Brent in our studio. They are probably all older models.
> I have called several distributors and find that Shimpo now has a belt drive
> wheel that is cheaper than the older RK10 by at least $100. Bailey has a new
> wheel out which they are promoting. Does anyone have any input about these
> wheels. I want to get the most value for the money and get a product that
> will hold up well and be easy to maintain. Also any thoughts on what
> horsepower is adequate in a small university setting. I realize the bigger
> motors handle more clay, but do they hold up any longer? Most of my
> students are beginners, so they aren't throwing large amounts of clay. Any
> input would be appreciated
>
Jan Parzybok on thu 4 feb 99
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Hi, I am the ceramics prof. at Univ. of St. Francis in FT. Wayne, IN and we...
Do yourself a favor and forget any wheel but a Brent CXC. Jan
Ben Shelton on thu 4 feb 99
I LOVE my Brent. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE. The foot pedal action is so
perfect(and adjustable). I LOVE it.
Now, good things can also be said about shimpo, lockerbie's willie sieries
etc. The only wheelsI'd really stay away from are the Pacifica's and the
only reason for this would be the action on their foot pedals. The just
don't respond very well. Anyone else had this problem, Ben
Susan Goldstein on fri 5 feb 99
Hi Ben, How are you?
One of these days I would like to get me wheel head fitted for bats. I've
been using plaster ones and slip for years and need to advance. May be you
can give me an idea or better yet come and look at what I have.
Susan
Jan Parzybok on fri 5 feb 99
The only wheelsI'd really stay away from are the Pacifica's and the
>only reason for this would be the action on their foot pedals. The just
>don't respond very well. Anyone else had this problem, Ben
------------
I've called the city to arrange for the next available dump truck to come
back over my Pacifica. Am presently looking for someone else in town who
owns one, so the dump truck doesn't get all lopsidded. Jan
Morgan Britt on fri 5 feb 99
I don't know about a school situation, but in response to the following response
I have the new Lockerbie electric and I love it. Plenty of power, nice on the
price, and a nice stainless table rim too.
Andrew Buck wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Karen,
>
> I would recommend buying motorized Lockerbie kickwheels for any school
> situation. They are built to last. The half horsepower motor is strong
> enough for just about anything your students are going to through at
> them.(pun pun) You might check out the new Lockerbie electric wheel too.
> They build good equipment.
>
> Andy Buck
> Raincreek Pottery
> Port Orchard, Washington
>
> On Wed, 3 Feb 1999, McArdle, Karen wrote:
>
> > ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> > Hi, I am the ceramics prof. at Univ. of St. Francis in FT. Wayne, IN and we
> > are in the process of planning for a new building, so I am looking for all
> > kinds of technical information. Right now I have some money to buy equipment
> > and I want to purchase up to 5 new wheels. We currently have 3 Shimpo's,
> > one Soldner and one Brent in our studio. They are probably all older models.
> > I have called several distributors and find that Shimpo now has a belt drive
> > wheel that is cheaper than the older RK10 by at least $100. Bailey has a new
> > wheel out which they are promoting. Does anyone have any input about these
> > wheels. I want to get the most value for the money and get a product that
> > will hold up well and be easy to maintain. Also any thoughts on what
> > horsepower is adequate in a small university setting. I realize the bigger
> > motors handle more clay, but do they hold up any longer? Most of my
> > students are beginners, so they aren't throwing large amounts of clay. Any
> > input would be appreciated
> >
--
Morgan Britt
morgan@unlimited.net
Veronica Honthaas on fri 5 feb 99
I have a newer Pacifica wheel and just love it. A few years ago they
changed the foot pedal and it it is very smooth and responsive.
At 10:33 AM 2/4/99 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I LOVE my Brent. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE. The foot pedal action is so
>perfect(and adjustable). I LOVE it.
>Now, good things can also be said about shimpo, lockerbie's willie sieries
>etc. The only wheelsI'd really stay away from are the Pacifica's and the
>only reason for this would be the action on their foot pedals. The just
>don't respond very well. Anyone else had this problem, Ben
>
>
Marty Anderson on fri 5 feb 99
I disagree. My pacifica is wonderful. The action of the foot pedal is as
smooth as any Brent. The Brent wheels we have at school do not have the
smooth action my Pacifica has. I would recommend Randall kickwheels
motorized. They are a work horse and will last forever.
marty
-----Original Message-----
From: Ben Shelton
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Thursday, February 04, 1999 7:34 AM
Subject: Re: Potters Wheels
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I LOVE my Brent. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE. The foot pedal action is so
>perfect(and adjustable). I LOVE it.
>Now, good things can also be said about shimpo, lockerbie's willie sieries
>etc. The only wheelsI'd really stay away from are the Pacifica's and the
>only reason for this would be the action on their foot pedals. The just
>don't respond very well. Anyone else had this problem, Ben
>
Dave Finkelnburg on sat 6 feb 99
Ben and all,
With all due, serious, respect, my experience has been exactly the
opposite. I've had problems with the foot controller on the Brent I've used
(older wheel). I love the exact speed control I get out of my Pacifica
(less than one year old). I suspect that since foot pedals are all
mechanical devices producing an electrical signal to the speed control, when
they wear they don't work as well. For what it's worth, my experience with
my admittedly low-budget Pacifica is its speed control is outstanding.
Dave in wintery Idaho
-----Original Message-----
From: Ben Shelton
>I LOVE my Brent. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE. The foot pedal action is so
>perfect(and adjustable). I LOVE it.
>Now, good things can also be said about shimpo, lockerbie's willie sieries
>etc. The only wheelsI'd really stay away from are the Pacifica's and the
>only reason for this would be the action on their foot pedals. The just
>don't respond very well. Anyone else had this problem, Ben
>
Vince Pitelka on sat 6 feb 99
>The best wheel.??.....electric?
>I will hear about this from people...but here goes my neck...stretched out...
>personal opinion after 30 years....
># 1 - The Brent CXC......
>IMHO.......it is the finest wheel around....for ALL types of
>students....it will last FOREVER with raw beginners...and a very LONG
>time with intermediate and advanced students.....a real workhorse for
>me, personally, for over 25 years.
I have to agree with Ric Swenson here, at least in regard to electric
wheels. As a machine nut, I love the mechanical variable speed device in
the Shimpo RK-1, but that is not available, and is not any reason to select
a wheel. I have found the Brent electrics to be real workhorses.
However, the Brent kick wheels are grossly overpriced. If you want
kickwheels, electric or not, go with the Lockerbie - indestructible,
beautiful, functional.
- 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
Nick Zappa on sat 6 feb 99
Ben: We have Pacifica 800--we are on the third "chirping" motor ( on a
wheel with less than 100 hrs. on it). Laguna won't deal with it. We had a
similar problem with a Brent CXC--they stood behind it. We have a 19 yr.
old CXC--still running fine. Also have a 23 yr. old Randall--still working
great. We also had trouble with the Pacifica foot pedal--very unresponsive,
sluggish. We're sticking with Brent. It's worth the extra $$. Regards,
Nick & Joan Zappa
-----Original Message-----
From: Ben Shelton
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Thursday, February 04, 1999 8:34 AM
Subject: Re: Potters Wheels
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I LOVE my Brent. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE. The foot pedal action is so
>perfect(and adjustable). I LOVE it.
>Now, good things can also be said about shimpo, lockerbie's willie sieries
>etc. The only wheelsI'd really stay away from are the Pacifica's and the
>only reason for this would be the action on their foot pedals. The just
>don't respond very well. Anyone else had this problem, Ben
>
Donn Buchfinck on sun 7 feb 99
Well just to remind people that if you want a good wheel
stay away from bluebird soldner wheels
I had to spend too much money getting it to work right
and the company is hard to deal with
it might look like the original wheel but it isn't like the wheels my teachers
used
if you want a great wheel that will last forever then look to the lockerbie
we have one with a motor and it gives you the best of both worlds kick wheel
with a motor
in school we used a motorized randal wheel and that was the best
and I have used one of the new brent cxc's and that is great also
we also have a shimpo, an old one and it is a real workhorse
just remember that if you are buying a wheel for a clay studio you want
something that is rock solid, and in my mind that would be the lockerbie or
the randall
and if you do not want a kickwheel type of wheel then the brent
Donn Buchfinck
Gregory D Lamont on sun 7 feb 99
At 09:02 AM 2/5/99 -0500, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>The only wheelsI'd really stay away from are the Pacifica's and the
>>only reason for this would be the action on their foot pedals. The just
>>don't respond very well. Anyone else had this problem, Ben
>------------
>I've called the city to arrange for the next available dump truck to come
>back over my Pacifica. Am presently looking for someone else in town who
>owns one, so the dump truck doesn't get all lopsidded. Jan
Jan,
I have a Pacifica GT 400 wheel that I bought new back in 1983 when Pacifia
was its own company before being absorbed by Laguna. It has been my "daily
driver" since then and has never given me a bit of trouble. I purchased
one of the new foot pedals a cople of years ago and had some trouble with
it until I worked with the one of the Laguna tech staff to adjust it to
match my old wheel's electronics. Since then, it's been fine, with better
low speed response than the old pedal (but not as good as a Soldner--my
dream wheel!). I'd be interested in knowing what your problem(s) is(are)
with your Pacifica--maybe I can help.
Regards, Greg
Greg Lamont
3011 Northwood Drive
Ames, IA 50010-4750
(515) 233-3442
gdlamont@iastate.edu
http://www.ourwebpage.net/greglamont/
Charlie and Linda on sun 7 feb 99
Worked for years on CXC and had no problems.
Got the old style Creative Industries MP and it was nice and quiet. Got
the new plastic frame and it rumbles. Call the factory, even sent them
back the motor. Got a nice note that basicly said that it was not
making noise. Still sounds like there are metal shavings in the bearing
some times.
Have tried several Pacifica and they aren't bad if you like the sound of
cricket chirping all day long. Some of their peddles are better than
others.
Next wheel will be a CXC again. Bullet proof. Hope they haven't changed
anything.
As to kick wheels the Lockerbie is the best as long as you don't have to
move it... Every one that I've tried has been rock solid.
Charlie Riggs
Marty Anderson on sun 7 feb 99
I still am of the opinion (not asked for) that the Pacific foot pedal is
smooth and better than the Brent pedal. The pacifica is magnetic, and the
wheel is very quiet. You must have had a "Lemon". or an older model with
the original pedal. I have had my wheel 5 years and still runs like new.
The Lockerbie has a seat that makes you hate throwing sitting down. It has
a terrible splash pan, actually worthless and one sided. The Randall is far
superior in function and comfort. You need not deal with emptying a splash
pan every 5 minutes with the deep round pan on the Randall. It will last a
lifetime.
marty
martya@airmail.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Nick Zappa
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Saturday, February 06, 1999 5:56 PM
Subject: Re: Potters Wheels
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Ben: We have Pacifica 800--we are on the third "chirping" motor ( on a
>wheel with less than 100 hrs. on it). Laguna won't deal with it. We had a
>similar problem with a Brent CXC--they stood behind it. We have a 19 yr.
>old CXC--still running fine. Also have a 23 yr. old Randall--still working
>great. We also had trouble with the Pacifica foot pedal--very unresponsive,
>sluggish. We're sticking with Brent. It's worth the extra $$. Regards,
>Nick & Joan Zappa
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Ben Shelton
>To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
>Date: Thursday, February 04, 1999 8:34 AM
>Subject: Re: Potters Wheels
>
>
>>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>>I LOVE my Brent. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE. The foot pedal action is so
>>perfect(and adjustable). I LOVE it.
>>Now, good things can also be said about shimpo, lockerbie's willie sieries
>>etc. The only wheelsI'd really stay away from are the Pacifica's and the
>>only reason for this would be the action on their foot pedals. The just
>>don't respond very well. Anyone else had this problem, Ben
>>
>
Frank Gaydos on sun 7 feb 99
I agree with Vince as to the reliability of the Brent wheels. We have twenty
wheels for twenty years and I've only had a handful of minor replacement
problems. When you consider that we have 60 rank beginners torturing the
machines each semester for four semesters per year, thats an awful lot of
abuse. They come through with flying colors. Yet they have power to spare
for the advanced students.
-----Original Message-----
Subject: Re: Potters Wheels
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>The best wheel.??.....electric?
>I will hear about this from people...but here goes my neck...stretched
out...
>personal opinion after 30 years....
># 1 - The Brent CXC......
>IMHO.......it is the finest wheel around....for ALL types of
tmartens on mon 8 feb 99
I have to agree here, not a big time teacher but I have had a kick
wheel ans several electric wheels, some home made, but it was not
untill I got my Brent model C that I felt I had died and gone to
potters heaven, it runs true and smooooooth and is strong enough to
center any weight *I* can.
Toni from darkest Afrique.
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I agree with Vince as to the reliability of the Brent wheels. We have twenty
wheels for twenty years and I've only had a handful of minor replacement
problems. When you consider that we have 60 rank beginners torturing the
machines each semester for four semesters per year, thats an awful lot of
abuse. They come through with flying colors. Yet they have power to spare
for the advanced students.
-----Original Message-----
Subject: Re: Potters Wheels
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>The best wheel.??.....electric?
>I will hear about this from people...but here goes my neck...stretched
out...
>personal opinion after 30 years....
># 1 - The Brent CXC......
>IMHO.......it is the finest wheel around....for ALL types of
Kathy E. McDonald on mon 8 feb 99
I have had a Brent B for 22 years and NEVER had any problems.
Now also have a Brent CXC and had a short that blew the circuitboard,
Brent replaced it for me no charge(after the warranty
expired).................I give them a 5 star rating!!!!!
Kathy McDonald
http://members.tripod.com/~kmcd3
-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Gaydos
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: February 7, 1999 10:49 AM
Subject: Re: Potters Wheels
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I agree with Vince as to the reliability of the Brent wheels. We have
twenty
>wheels for twenty years and I've only had a handful of minor replacement
>problems. When you consider that we have 60 rank beginners torturing the
>machines each semester for four semesters per year, thats an awful lot of
>abuse. They come through with flying colors. Yet they have power to spare
>for the advanced students.
>-----Original Message-----
>Subject: Re: Potters Wheels
>
>
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>>The best wheel.??.....electric?
>>I will hear about this from people...but here goes my neck...stretched
>out...
>>personal opinion after 30 years....
>># 1 - The Brent CXC......
>>IMHO.......it is the finest wheel around....for ALL types of
>
Douglas Adams on mon 8 feb 99
At 08:56 PM 2/6/99 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Ben: We have Pacifica 800--we are on the third "chirping" motor ( on a
>wheel with less than 100 hrs. on it). Laguna won't deal with it. We had a
>similar problem with a Brent CXC--they stood behind it.
I also had a chirping wheel (which was a brent cxc) but after five years,
also characterized by the wheel head coming to an abrupt stop after lowering
the foot switch.
What I discovered was that one of the motor's magnets came away from
its orginal positions, so I broke it down took everything out of the
motor,used a rubber mallet to check all the other magnets then began the
process of re-gluing the magnet back in place,with JB weld. What a wonderful
product!! Clamped the magnet over night, put everything back in and the
wheel has worked great the last two years. I had the opportunity to work
with Robert Roller and he said his Pacifica clay bosses(two) don't have very
good foot pedal responce, and asked if I could design another way to control
the the wheel, I am currently working on replacing the controls with a hand
held control.
Douglas Adams
Alex MIller on mon 8 feb 99
I have a CI MP that I like, smoooth petal, large table. But If I were
buying a wheel today it would be a Steve Jepson ProStation. They are
sold by Steve and Axner. great petal, large heavy table, huge splash pan
and great water bucket and tool table that attach/hang from the splash
pan. 14" wheel head or pan head for plaster bats, yur choice.
alex
mooresville, nc
Marty Anderson wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I still am of the opinion (not asked for) that the Pacific foot pedal is
> smooth and better than the Brent pedal. The pacifica is magnetic, and the
> wheel is very quiet. You must have had a "Lemon". or an older model with
> the original pedal. I have had my wheel 5 years and still runs like new.
>
> The Lockerbie has a seat that makes you hate throwing sitting down. It has
> a terrible splash pan, actually worthless and one sided. The Randall is far
> superior in function and comfort. You need not deal with emptying a splash
> pan every 5 minutes with the deep round pan on the Randall. It will last a
> lifetime.
>
> marty
> martya@airmail.net
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nick Zappa
> To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
> Date: Saturday, February 06, 1999 5:56 PM
> Subject: Re: Potters Wheels
>
> >----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> >Ben: We have Pacifica 800--we are on the third "chirping" motor ( on a
> >wheel with less than 100 hrs. on it). Laguna won't deal with it. We had a
> >similar problem with a Brent CXC--they stood behind it. We have a 19 yr.
> >old CXC--still running fine. Also have a 23 yr. old Randall--still working
> >great. We also had trouble with the Pacifica foot pedal--very unresponsive,
> >sluggish. We're sticking with Brent. It's worth the extra $$. Regards,
> >Nick & Joan Zappa
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Ben Shelton
> >To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
> >Date: Thursday, February 04, 1999 8:34 AM
> >Subject: Re: Potters Wheels
> >
> >
> >>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> >>I LOVE my Brent. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE. The foot pedal action is so
> >>perfect(and adjustable). I LOVE it.
> >>Now, good things can also be said about shimpo, lockerbie's willie sieries
> >>etc. The only wheelsI'd really stay away from are the Pacifica's and the
> >>only reason for this would be the action on their foot pedals. The just
> >>don't respond very well. Anyone else had this problem, Ben
> >>
> >
paul on tue 9 feb 99
Well, I must say that I have had a Soldner for eight years and the problems
that I have had were very well serviced by Bluebird. No doubt it has the
best damn foot pedal going!
Paul Wilmoth
earthenware, and wood/salt stoneware
pwearthenware@email.msn.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Donn Buchfinck
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Sunday, February 07, 1999 11:36 AM
Subject: Re: Potters Wheels
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Well just to remind people that if you want a good wheel
>stay away from bluebird soldner wheels
>I had to spend too much money getting it to work right
>and the company is hard to deal with
>it might look like the original wheel but it isn't like the wheels my
teachers
>used
>
>if you want a great wheel that will last forever then look to the lockerbie
>we have one with a motor and it gives you the best of both worlds kick
wheel
>with a motor
>
>in school we used a motorized randal wheel and that was the best
>
>and I have used one of the new brent cxc's and that is great also
>
>we also have a shimpo, an old one and it is a real workhorse
>
>just remember that if you are buying a wheel for a clay studio you want
>something that is rock solid, and in my mind that would be the lockerbie
or
>the randall
>and if you do not want a kickwheel type of wheel then the brent
>
>Donn Buchfinck
Kathi LeSueur on wed 10 feb 99
In a message dated 2/9/99 7:41:09 AM, you wrote:
>Well, I must say that I have had a Soldner for eight years and the problems
>that I have had were very well serviced by Bluebird. No doubt it has the
>best damn foot pedal going!
I nearly bought a Soldner wheel after John Glick used it in a workshop and
raved about it. But someone suggested that it was necessary to apply constant
pressure to the foot pedal when using it. Since I had once had to do this on
another wheel, causing foot cramping, I decided to call the company and ask if
what I had been told was true. They told me it was. I didn't buy the wheel.
Anyone thinking of buying a Soldner wheel should consider this. You might want
to call the company to see if they've made any modifications that solve this.
Kathi LeSueur
Ann Arbor, MI
Charlie and Linda on wed 10 feb 99
amy parker wrote:
>
> >Have tried several Pacifica and they aren't bad if you like the sound of
> >cricket chirping all day long.
>
> Cricket sounds go away after a SHORT burst of the silicone lubricant
> that is supplied with the wheel. Spray directly on the belts while the
> wheel is turning fairly fast. DO NOT USE A LOT!!! I find that I have to
> do this about once a month - my wheel is outside & spiders seem to move in -
> or maybe it really IS crickets!!! Repeat sparingly until noise goes away.
> amy parker Lithonia, GA
> amyp@sd-software.com
Amy
Thanks for the tip. Maybe your spiders have learned to chirp. :-/
What is fun is that everone is completely loyal to their own personal
favorite. Of course what this is all about making the best pottery we
can every time we step up to the spinning wheel.
Watching potters using a stick to spin a lumpy rock flywheel that makes
a wooden shaft spin a cracked wobbly wheelhead while producing
staggering numbers of identical pots puts all this into prespective.
If there was only one wheel left in the world I would happily use it.
It would make no difference what brand it was or how often it broke down
or even if it went bump in the night. I'd be on it.
But I still like my Brent CXC best....
Sincerely,
Charlie Riggs
http://www.cclay.com/criggs/index.htm
John Stuart on sat 13 feb 99
>Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 10:25:22 EST
>From: Kathi LeSueur
>Subject: Re: Potters Wheels
>MIME-Version: 1.0
>
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
>In a message dated 2/9/99 7:41:09 AM, you wrote:
>
>>Well, I must say that I have had a Soldner for eight years and the problems
>>that I have had were very well serviced by Bluebird. No doubt it has the
>>best damn foot pedal going!
>
>I nearly bought a Soldner wheel after John Glick used it in a workshop and
>raved about it. But someone suggested that it was necessary to apply constant
>pressure to the foot pedal when using it. Since I had once had to do this on
>another wheel, causing foot cramping, I decided to call the company and ask if
>what I had been told was true. They told me it was. I didn't buy the wheel.
>Anyone thinking of buying a Soldner wheel should consider this. You might want
>to call the company to see if they've made any modifications that solve this.
>
Sounds like the factory people didn't quite understand what you were
asking...I've had a Bluebird Soldner for years, and threw on an original at
a craft center before that. On both wheels you could take your foot off the
pedal at any speed setting. The pedals are exceptionally smooth and the DC
motor has high torque at even very slow speeds.
John in Atlanta, where the early blooms are just beginning!
Ceramic Design Group on sun 29 sep 02
Its been interesting reading all the latest opinions on wheels that have
been on the list, especially since I wrote the latest review in Pottery
Making Illustrated/Potters Guide that came out over summer. This was the
first review that was done since the 1970's or so. Its was not designed as a
review in the sense of "this is the best......and this is the worst "
We had 40 or so wheels here and about the same number of potters to test
them and evaluate them.
As I collated and amassed all the data that was generated, what was obvious
was that there were individual preferences and likes and dislikes. These
observations really could not be used to select the best and the worst.
There were really no best, no worst. And this pretty much mimics the
observations that you are posting to the list.
I did receive a few emails to the tune of "hey...why is this not the
best...or tell me which one to buy..." Some were quite insulting and there
were others that were a joy to read. Ultimately, my review was designed to
provide all the most current and up to date information on the marketplace.
You decide. All the wheels that we had worked. Some had features that were
exceptional, some did not. The point is that there is a wheel out there for
everyone. There is a price point for everyone. Sure we could debate
benefits, features, shortcomings, etc. etc. until we are all blue in the
face. But it is really about which wheel fits us the best and is most
comfortable ergonomically, IMHO.
The real point that I distilled from all of this is one of ergonomics. We
all have different needs and peculiarities when we throw and even armed with
all the information on electronics, motors, etc. etc., ergonomics was really
the most important consideration, at least from what I observed.
Another point that I observed, since many of the manufacturers joined us for
the review was how thoughtful their design process was. How they approached
the footprint, the style, the shape, the finish, the electronics, the
materials, etc. etc. all showed me and the many potters who joined us how
much time and effort went in to designed a potters wheel.
Good throwing!
Jonathan
Jonathan Kaplan, president
Ceramic Design Group
PO Box 775112
Steamboat Springs CO 80477
voice and fax 970 879-9139
info@ceramicdesigngroup.net
Plant Location:
1280 13th Street Unit 13
Steamboat Springs CO 80487
(please use this address for all deliveries via UPS, comman carrier, Fed Ex,
etc.)
"Custom design and manufacturing for the ceramic arts, giftware and pottery
industries. Molds, models, and tooling for slip casting, jiggering and
hydraulic pressing. Consultation on clay and glaze formulation, production
systems,firing, and kilns.
L. P. Skeen on sun 29 sep 02
Jonathan,
One thing I was disappointed in with regard to your article is that the
reviewers just told a general description about each wheel and din't rank
'em. I think I would have at least done a 10-point scale thing.
L
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ceramic Design Group"
To:
Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2002 10:41 AM
Subject: Potters Wheels
> Its been interesting reading all the latest opinions on wheels that have
> been on the list, especially since I wrote the latest review in Pottery
> Making Illustrated/Potters Guide that came out over summer.
Mike Martino on mon 30 sep 02
Ditto! I was looking forward to a review of wheels which included a ranking
of the wheels in various price ranges, the reviewer's opinion of 'best
overall wheel', 'best value', etc... It was great to get the information on
each wheel, I guess I was just a little disappointed not to get the
reveiwer's opinions on the quality, pros and cons of each wheel. That, to me
is where reviews really come in handy.
Mike Martino
Dallas, TX
----- Original Message -----
From: "L. P. Skeen"
To:
Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2002 4:48 PM
Subject: Re: Potters Wheels
> Jonathan,
>
> One thing I was disappointed in with regard to your article is that the
> reviewers just told a general description about each wheel and din't rank
> 'em. I think I would have at least done a 10-point scale thing.
>
> L
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ceramic Design Group"
> To:
> Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2002 10:41 AM
> Subject: Potters Wheels
>
>
> > Its been interesting reading all the latest opinions on wheels that have
> > been on the list, especially since I wrote the latest review in Pottery
> > Making Illustrated/Potters Guide that came out over summer.
>
>
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ginny bivaletz on mon 30 sep 02
--- "L. P. Skeen" wrote:
> Jonathan,
>
> One thing I was disappointed in with regard to your
> article is that the
> reviewers just told a general description about each
> wheel and didn't rank
> 'em. I think I would have at least done a 10-point
> scale thing.
>
i agree with the above disappointment. i was waiting
for pmi to come out for a review of the wheels before
i purchased mine. when it did, i did not learn
anything about the 2 wheels i was considering that i
did not read in the advertisements for each of them.
i was looking for noise level comparisons, ease of
splash pan removal and just an overall comparison.
what i found was a list of what was offered with each
wheel. my choices were axner or bailey. i went with
the bailey and am very pleased, especially after
hearing some of the problems with the axner that have
not yet been worked out.
=====
ginny from orcas island, washington.
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