Tim Skeen on wed 14 mar 01
Because of physical limitations I need to move from throwing pots on my
motorized kickwheel to an electric wheel. I am having a difficult time with
the change. Has anyone gone from throwing on a kickwheel to an electric
that could share some advice? The hardest part for me is getting used to
the constant turn of the wheel and to control the speed with the pedal. I
remember back in throwing class that you shouldn't keep your foot on the
pedal but it seems I have more control. I then step on it like the
kickwheel to get it going and my poor pot has a ride of it's life! With
throwing pots on the kickwheel I love the rhythm from the kick and then it's
like sailing with the clay. I match my pulls with the slow down of the
wheel ending at the rim of the pot. I find it's a slower throwing process
and with the electric I feel rushed. Because of my limitations I'm not a
great wheel potter but now I feel like I'm back in throwing 101. Today I
left the electric wheel in frustration and went and sat with my retired
kickwheel (now on the screen porch) and just remembered the good old days
and shared my woes of throwing with the new electric model. It's
like an old friend that knows my aches and pains and lets me get lost in
it's rhythm. It's funny what we get used to and have a hard time giving it
up even though we know it's for our own good. Is there a kickwheel
support group? Any advice will be greatly appreciated....
TIA
Audrey Skeen
mailto:taskeen@mtdpottery.com
http://mtdpottery.com
Martin Howard on thu 15 mar 01
Has anyone gone from throwing on a kickwheel to an electric
that could share some advice?
Yes, Tim. I learnt on a kickwheel, which is now my spraybooth, so we are
still in touch.
But I have gone for electric for day to day throwing and turning.
It seems that the power system you have chosen is not sufficiently gentle,
yet not stung enough when you need it.
The new Delphine from Pottersmate has a new type of motor. Silent, gentle
but powerful enough so that if you put your whole weight on the wheel you
would not be able to stop it. A bit pricey, but you get what you pay for.
Martin Howard
Webb's Cottage Pottery
Woolpits Road, Great Saling
BRAINTREE, Essex CM7 5DZ
England
martin@webbscottage.co.uk
http://www.webbscottage.co.uk
Des Howard on thu 15 mar 01
Audrey
When chronic left knee joint problems forced me off my
beloved treadle kickwheel I changed my throwing habits
to get used to an electric wheel.
The floor model Venco mechanical drive wheel had the
pedal on the left side, I relocated it to the right side
& made an extension plate to lengthen the pedal,
car driving habit patterns now make you treat the
pedal like an accelerator not a treadle.
Instead of using a chair I use a stool, nearly bar stool height,
the wheel was placed on a stand.
To save my right hip from its usual leaning over crunch,
a mirror is placed in the tray.
Trev, the other half of the throwing team,
sneers at the electric wheel, but as he nears the
20 year mark of production throwing on the treadle wheel
he groans a tad after a hefty throwing session.
Graciously I don't go "Nyah! Nyah", I just smile, (and wait).
Now & then I climb back on the treadle wheel,
but after 5 minutes the familiar painful twang develops
& wistfully I climb off & limp away. Sigh!
Des
Audrey wrote:
> Because of physical limitations I need to move from throwing pots on my
> motorized kickwheel to an electric wheel. I am having a difficult time with
> the change. Has anyone gone from throwing on a kickwheel to an electric
> that could share some advice?
--
Des & Jan Howard
Lue Pottery
LUE NSW 2850
Australia
Ph/Fax 02 6373 6419
http://www.luepottery.lisp.com.au
bivaletz ginny on thu 15 mar 01
hi - i also love my kickwheel. i tried trimming on
an electric once and had a few pots go flying. seems
i'm a bit spastic with the speed control, but then i
prefer a treadel sewing machine to an electric also.
it might have something to do with your own natural
rythym. why are you switching? my right hip has been
giving me trouble as of late, but every time i think
of motorizing my wheel i get the shivers. good luck
=====
ginny from orcas island, washington.
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Auctions - Buy the things you want at great prices.
http://auctions.yahoo.com/
| |
|
