Susan Setley on tue 9 dec 03
I picked up my Artista wheel yesterday.
First impressions: it will probably suit my needs.
However, it slows down when even a small amount of clay is centered. However,
it maintained a steady speed (whatever speed I chose. I did not find using
the dial to be a significant drawback so far.
It is extremely easy to set up and remarkably stable on a tabletop. I do
think it would be tricky to find a table low enough to set it on. The table I
thought I had for that purpose is not low enough.
I probably will not test it because I don't throw large amounts of clay.
However, while the manufacturer claims that it can center 25 lb. of clay, I can't
imagine it doing it.
I don't know how it does on legs, but on a table top I'm having trouble
finding a way to sit at it. I have a taller stool, but that will change the
position of my hands and arms. Since I already have some throwing skills, I don't
expect that to be a true barrier, but I would discourage beginners from buying it
thinking they can just set it on a table top and learn to throw. Position
counts.
I will probably keep it just because I work from home and have breaks in the
day when I have time to throw a little but not time to go down to the studio,
get set up, throw just a pot or two, and then clean up and come home. My goal
with this wheel is to get in more throwing time, not replace my full-service
studio, and it looks to me as if it will do that reasonably well, especially
considered the price.
Scott Harrison on wed 10 dec 03
I saw this wheel at our local distributer and thought no way but then she
turned it on and I pushed on the wheel head to test the torque. I'm not a
small person 6'3" 230 lbs and I couldn't slow down the wheel head by much. I
think this a great wheel for my classroom and portable enough to take
outside on nice days. Pretty slick.
Scott Harrison
South Fork High School
Humboldt Redwoods
Susan Setley on thu 11 dec 03
In a message dated 12/11/03 3:38:14 AM, sharrison@HUMBOLDT.K12.CA.US writes:
<< I saw this wheel at our local distributer and thought no way but then she
turned it on and I pushed on the wheel head to test the torque. I'm not a
small person 6'3" 230 lbs and I couldn't slow down the wheel head by much. I
think this a great wheel for my classroom and portable enough to take
outside on nice days. Pretty slick.
Scott Harrison
South Fork High School
Humboldt Redwoods >>
I have to say that I'm already throwing better. I have Attention Deficit
Disorder. I have always thrown at the public studio so didn't know anything
different, but had convinced myself I wasn't all that distracted...
but in the quiet of my back room with nothing going on... I've only thrown
three things on it, but all three are better than what I've produced at the
studio. In addition, the ability to monitor their drying, just walk away and do
something else and let them "rest" a little if needed...
I really really really like having a wheel. And, Creative Industries
apparently monitors the group and knew my wheel has a potential problem even when I
didn't...
Susan Giddings on fri 30 apr 04
Dolita,
I wanted to second what you have said about the Artista. It's a great little
portable wheel. OK, no maybe you can't center 40 # on it, but at 30# total
weight and in a great suitcase with wheels and pop out handle, it is so
easily portable. And I also do agree that the splash pan is about the best I
could imagine. I wish the little water buckets were made from the same dense
plastic. The only other suggestion I'd make is to somehow rig up a foot
pedal - like with a removable plug so you could still use the hand controls.
In my case, I am planning to use the wheel for students who can't sit or
stand in a more traditional manner so having a hand control is the best
possible option for them. But for me, it's been a bit disconcerting. I guess
I'll get used to it eventually, but, surprisingly, it hasn't been that easy
so far. But that's my problem! It's a great little wheel. Strong enough to
do the bulk (if not all) of the work, easy to set up and use and so
versatile just because of its portability. I'm thankful I have one. Class
starts next week and I do think it will do the trick for the student I am
most worried about.
Oh, and Dolita, I really give you credit for setting out to make so many
mugs. I hate making handles! Always thought that this is the sort of
exercise I need to set for myself to get over it. But just the thought makes
me shudder. 16 years and haven't done it yet. I hope I can get through
another 16 years without doing any! Shhhh, don't tell Mel now...
S
-------------------------------------------------
Susan Giddings
Bloomfield, Connecticut; New England
North East Coast; USA
"There are painters who transform the sun into a yellow spot, but there are
others who, thanks to their art and intelligence, transform a yellow spot
into the sun." — Pablo Picasso
>From: Gene and Dolita Dohrman
>Reply-To: Clayart
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Subject: Artista Wheel
>Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 16:03:16 -0400
>
>Just thought I would give you all my opinion of this little gem. My back
>has been bothering me again, mainly because I decided to take my therapy to
>a new level all by myself. Stupid. Anyway, my Artista wheel sits on my
>counter and is at a perfect height to throw standing up so I figured...now
>is the time to try it. Since I am doing the '100 mug' exercise, I have
>only been centering and throwing less than 1 lb. balls of clay. I have to
>tell you, it works great. The splash pan is very sturdy and cleverly
>designed. No water escapes onto the counter at all. The two little
>buckets work great. I keep water in one and large throwing tools in the
>other. It is supposed to take up to 25 lbs. of clay and I believe it will
>but, personally, I won't ever have to worry about that. Saw Andy Watson
>(very nice man) at NCECA throw a very large pot on it. My only complaint
>is the little knob used to control speed. It moves after trying to adjust
>the speed so you have to turn it a little further than you want to to get
>the correct speed. I have a call into their tech people and they are going
>to get back to me. The knob is not supposed to do that. Will keep you
>posted. They are good people and I know they will help me.
>Using a knob to control speed takes a little getting used to. For awhile,
>every time I wanted to change speed, I kept moving my right foot around on
>the floor-kind of funny.
>Need to make the usual disclaimer; no investment, no relatives, no special
>interest in the company. Just an FYI for my Claybuds out there.
>Dolita-this is my last post for today!
>
>dohrman@insightbb.com
>Louisville, KY
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
_________________________________________________________________
Stop worrying about overloading your inbox - get MSN Hotmail Extra Storage!
http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-us&page=hotmail/es2&ST=1/go/onm00200362ave/direct/01/
Gene and Dolita Dohrman on fri 30 apr 04
Just thought I would give you all my opinion of this little gem. My =
back has been bothering me again, mainly because I decided to take my =
therapy to a new level all by myself. Stupid. Anyway, my Artista wheel =
sits on my counter and is at a perfect height to throw standing up so I =
figured...now is the time to try it. Since I am doing the '100 mug' =
exercise, I have only been centering and throwing less than 1 lb. balls =
of clay. I have to tell you, it works great. The splash pan is very =
sturdy and cleverly designed. No water escapes onto the counter at all. =
The two little buckets work great. I keep water in one and large =
throwing tools in the other. It is supposed to take up to 25 lbs. of =
clay and I believe it will but, personally, I won't ever have to worry =
about that. Saw Andy Watson (very nice man) at NCECA throw a very large =
pot on it. My only complaint is the little knob used to control speed. =
It moves after trying to adjust the speed so you have to turn it a =
little further than you want to to get the correct speed. I have a call =
into their tech people and they are going to get back to me. The knob =
is not supposed to do that. Will keep you posted. They are good people =
and I know they will help me.
Using a knob to control speed takes a little getting used to. For =
awhile, every time I wanted to change speed, I kept moving my right foot =
around on the floor-kind of funny.=20
Need to make the usual disclaimer; no investment, no relatives, no =
special interest in the company. Just an FYI for my Claybuds out there.
Dolita-this is my last post for today!=20
dohrman@insightbb.com
Louisville, KY
amberpoo@earthlink.net on wed 14 feb 07
Hi All!
I am considering purchasing the Artista wheel and am concerned about the noise level - I'm in a one bedroom apt. with little space and with downstairs neighbors (no carpeting).
I've checked the archives and the reviews were encouraging about the wheel, but since it's not the usual focus about a wheel, no one mentioned noise/vibration level.
I was planning to put it on my dining room table when I use it, which is my home work area. Has anyone noticed those aspects of the wheel? I would appreciate any input about this before making the purchase (I can return the wheel if it drives my neighbors crazy but it would cost me 20% restocking plus shipping - about $100.)
I do my throwing at a nearby studio whenever I can (I'm otherwise occupied at a full-time non-pottery job) and bring my pieces home to carve and decorate; I've often wished I had a wheel for that purpose and for trimming when I realize I didn't do enough. The Artista seems like a great solution.
Thank you for your responses to my question and any other input you wish to offer.
Liz
amberpoo@earthlink.net
EarthLink Revolves Around You.
amberpoo@earthlink.net
EarthLink Revolves Around You.
amberpoo@earthlink.net
EarthLink Revolves Around You.
amberpoo@earthlink.net
EarthLink Revolves Around You.
amberpoo@earthlink.net on sat 17 feb 07
Thank you all so much for your responses. I've taken the plunge and ordered it. I should have it in about 2 weeks. I'm soooo excited!!!
Liz
amberpoo@earthlink.net
EarthLink Revolves Around You.
| |
|
