primalmommy on sat 28 sep 02
I think David Hendley's got it. It's quite likely an amoco, by the
descriptions I'm hearing... but it stands chest-high (to me) on four
tubular straight legs like a table. The man who salvaged it hooked a
makeshift L-shaped bit of iron as a hanging pedal, and it does have
variable speed, having been rigged with a spring inside to pull the
lever back up when you release pressure on the "pedal". It can be lifted
off the stand and put on a table top but that kind of blows the pedal
arrangement. I hope to make some kind of lever that will do what the
pedal does... I'll post pictures this week sometime. I was hoping I
could reverse the direction for my one-armed student. The screw that
adjusts the speed lever is in a vertical slot in the motor housing, and
when raised above halfway it reverses the direction of the wheel -- but
also the function of the pedal, so you would have to press down to
accellerate and raise to stop. Also it's not something I can switch
easily without taking the "chassis" off every time... so that may not
work, unless I can work it in with my lever idea. Wish I lived in
Maydelle and could invite David over for supper and get his input... or
Vince... or some other mechanical-minded potter... though I like a
puzzle and a challenge, and will wake up thinking about it in the wee
hours.
Meanwhile (OT, but clayarters know everything) I am trying to figure out
how to dye fabric using goldenrod and walnut hulls and other natural
materials for a project wednesday morning with homeschoolers. I am
hoping to do some kind of batik/resist but am not sure if the dyes will
work cold, and hot dyes will melt wax. These will be decorative/wall
hanging pieces, not laundered... any tips would be greatly appreciated!
I am amazed how many of the ingredients in the more complicated recipes
use chemicals I have in my studio!
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