John Rodgers on thu 3 apr 03
I was asked what suggestion I made for an ad-on option for the Axner
wheel so I decided to post a copy of the mail I sent to Axner.
But first, an interesting bit of co-oincidence.
Months and months ago, I was searching around for a Jiggering Arm setup
that I could apply to my Brent wheel. I knew that Shimpo made one and I
called Axner to inquire,because I knew Axner carried the Shimpo line.
They didn't know anything about it at the time, and in my conversation
with the Axner Rep I got into a long diatribe about how a jiggering arm
could be simply made to fit a wheel, and it sure seemed to me that
anyone building wheels would certainly make it an option. I described to
the rep how I would do it, pointed out how simple it was, and suggested
that it would make lots of points if the idea was sold t the BOSS, and
was actually produced. Well, low and behold, Axner now puts out a new
wheel with a jiggering arm option. Bless Me!!
I haven't a clue if I had any influence in this, but it sure was a
coincidence.
As for my lates suggestion, I have attached below the text of the
message I sent to Axner. I hope they follow through. If they do, I'm
gonna buy me a new wheel!!!!
John Rodgers
Birmingham, AL
E-mail to Axner: 04/02/2003
**************
Hi!
I am a subscriber to the Clayart newsgroup, a potter, and ceramist, and
an Axner cutomer. I have followed the discussions of the development of
the new Axner Wheel with interest and the wheel appears poised to
become a leader of potter wheels if not THE leader.
I currently have a Brent CXC, and as good as it is, there are short
comings with the Brent, in my view. The Axner Wheel has caught my
interest, and if certain changes were made it would certainly push it
over the top for me.
It appears that Axner is willing to make changes and additions to make
the Axner Wheel the very best, and it is to this end that I wish to make
a suggestion. If this suggestion is eventually incorporated into the
Axner wheel, I may very well consider giving up my Brent in favor of
the Axner, and that is saying a lot as this is my second Brent CXC. I
have hope for the Axner Wheel, while Brent doesn't appear much
interested in making changes, or additions, or adding options.
For example. I have repeatedly queried Brent (AMACO) about adding a
Jiggering Arm option. They won't even respond to my queries. I see Axner
has already added one and the Axner wheel has only been on the market a
short time. This is great. I am getting old (age 63), Arthur, after a
few visits, has come to stay it appears, so assistance from a jiggering
arm is becoming a greater likelyhood every day. Brent won't even talk
about it.
My suggestion as an added improvement to the Axner wheel is this. Alter
the legs of the wheel so they may be adjustable for height. There are
many ways to do this, all of which I have seen so far work after a
fashion, but they are less than satisfactory. I will try to express my
concept by describing a wedging table I built.
My interest in this leg height business is very much due to the fact
that I am approaching a time when I will have to do my throwing while
standing.
I wanted a wedging table convenient to my body height, size, and arm
length. Not sized to fit "Everyman", whom we know does not exist. I
built the table with threaded pipe flanges on each corner to accept
threaded standard 2 inch black iron pipe. I calculated the relative
thickness of the table including the flanges and purchased at the local
pipe store the correct pipe lengths I wanted and had them threaded on
one end only to fit the threaded flanges. I then purchased 4 rubber end
caps of the type used to slip over a vent pipe to close it off. I put
these on the unthreaded end of the new pipe legs of the table. Voila!!
Rubber feet for my table to protect the floor and the table leg end.
I chose the black iron pipe instead of steel tube because of the ease of
acquistion (every plumbing shop and hardware store in the country)
whereas stell tubing is more difficult to come by for the average
consumer. Also the fit of the rubber end caps.
At least as an option, may I suggest that instead of welded steel legs
on the Axner wheel, that a tube be welded in each leg location, in
place of the full length steel leg, internally threaded and sized to
accept standard pipe dimensions of appropriate size, which can be
purchased at any hardware or plumbing store. If standard black iron pipe
is used for legs, Axner customers who wish it, can then purchase
locally at their cost, or order from Axner, custom support legs cut to
the length of their own desires and needs, instead of having to deal
with a "One Size Fits All" scenario as it currently exists. This is
never satisfactory.
The Brent wheel and others have optional leg extensions, but they are
less that satisfactory because they are limited in their range of
adjustment. Having the option of acquiring locally cut table legs, cut
to specified length, certainly gives a fuller range of wheel table
heights from the floor, unique to the individual. And given how people
vary in how tall they are, how long their arms are, how big their
bellies are, limits place by physical disabilties, etc, this table leg
option as I have described it here, would, in my opinion be a wonderful
option. So much so, that I would consider giving up my Brent for an
Axner with this option, expecially given that other options are
available as well, which the Brent also doesn't have.
Standard length, threaded, removable legs should accompany the wheel in
shipment,as part of the standard package, either installed or not
installed. Removing them may very well make the unit more compact for
shipping, but if not, the stock legs could be installed for shipment.
I for one would certainly like to see this feature incorporated into any
wheel that I purchase next.
Regards,
John Rodgers
205-678-2811
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