Mike Gordon on mon 9 aug 04
Sheridan,
Get the 1/3 hp wheel. You don't need anything more powerful than that
if your only throwing 40lbs. of clay. It's like buying a 40' big V/8
SUV to go to the store for milk! Mike Gordon
On Aug 9, 2004, at 5:59 AM, Sheridan Blau wrote:
> I am about to buy a Thomas Stewart electric wheel and I am inclined to
> buy the most powerful (1 hp) wheel, the Pro model. I know that I don't
> need such a powerful wheel. The model below it (the Premier model) can
> handle 300 lbs of clay. The Pro model is unlimited in what it can
> handle.
>
> I don't imagine that I'll ever throw more than 40 lbs of clay, but is
> there any reason why I shouldn't get the most powerful wheel? The
> difference in price between the models is quite insignificant and is
> not a relevant consideration for me.
>
> I have been advised by two different retailers to get a much lighter
> model -- either the 1/2 hp Elite model (which can handle 110 lbs of
> clay) or the 1/3 hp Legend model (100 lbs of clay). But I can't see
> what advantage there might be to getting either of these less powerful
> models. One possible disadvantage to the pro model is that the motor is
> so big that the legs have to be two inches longer to accommodate the
> motor housing. But I could then get the Premier model with a 3/4 hp
> motor.
>
> I have read that electric motors running at slow speeds create extra
> heat and cause greater wear to the motor. But I talked to a
> representative at Thomas Stuart and he told me that the Stuart
> industrial continuous duty motors (standard on all models) will not
> suffer extra wear when run at low speeds. So what possible advantage
> (aside from an insignificant saving in cost and perhaps in shipping)
> can be gained from having a less powerful wheel over a more powerful
> one? Does anybody have an advice to offer on this matter?
>
> Sheridan Blau
> Santa Barbara, CA
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> _______
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
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>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
Sheridan Blau on mon 9 aug 04
I am about to buy a Thomas Stewart electric wheel and I am inclined to
buy the most powerful (1 hp) wheel, the Pro model. I know that I don't
need such a powerful wheel. The model below it (the Premier model) can
handle 300 lbs of clay. The Pro model is unlimited in what it can
handle.
I don't imagine that I'll ever throw more than 40 lbs of clay, but is
there any reason why I shouldn't get the most powerful wheel? The
difference in price between the models is quite insignificant and is
not a relevant consideration for me.
I have been advised by two different retailers to get a much lighter
model -- either the 1/2 hp Elite model (which can handle 110 lbs of
clay) or the 1/3 hp Legend model (100 lbs of clay). But I can't see
what advantage there might be to getting either of these less powerful
models. One possible disadvantage to the pro model is that the motor is
so big that the legs have to be two inches longer to accommodate the
motor housing. But I could then get the Premier model with a 3/4 hp
motor.
I have read that electric motors running at slow speeds create extra
heat and cause greater wear to the motor. But I talked to a
representative at Thomas Stuart and he told me that the Stuart
industrial continuous duty motors (standard on all models) will not
suffer extra wear when run at low speeds. So what possible advantage
(aside from an insignificant saving in cost and perhaps in shipping)
can be gained from having a less powerful wheel over a more powerful
one? Does anybody have an advice to offer on this matter?
Sheridan Blau
Santa Barbara, CA
Cynthia Bracker on tue 10 aug 04
Congratulations on a choosing an EXCELLENT brand! FYI, it's
Thomas-Stuart (not Stewart), which is the first names of the 2 original
partners, Thomas (Forte) and Stuart (I don't know his last name) The
company is still run by Tom and his family, (Wife, Peggy & son, Alex),
so the representative you spoke with there was probably one of them. I
can tell you that any information they gave you is absolutely accurate
and reliable. They are VERY good, honest people! On to model specifics:
Thomas-Stuart makes 2 types of electric wheels, the original design,
with a built-in splashpan: http://www.thomasstuart.com/html/built_in.htm
and with a removable splashpan: http://www.thomasstuart.com/html/remove.htm
The Premier is and the Professional have the same size motor (when the
Premier "premiered" it did have a 3/4hp motor, but they have since
changed it to be the same as the professional). The difference between
the two is that the Premier has the removable splashpan while the
Professional has the built-in.
Likewise, the Legend is equivalent to the Classic. There is currently
no removable splash-pan equivalent to the Elite, however Thomas-Stuart
has been receiving a lot of requests for this and I suspect they will
have one out soon.
Lastly, my advice would be to get the middle model (either Elite or
whatever they name its equivalent). You will never outgrow it!
Remember a wheel's centering capacity is not the same as its weight
capacity. You can throw big pots on any wheel, you just throw it in
sections. It makes for lighter pots anyway and besides, why do you want
to work yourself so much centering 40# when you could throw 2 -20#
cylinders and join them? Good luck in your decision!
Cindy Bracker
Bracker's Good Earth Clays, Inc.
Sheridan Blau wrote:
> I am about to buy a Thomas Stewart electric wheel and I am inclined to
> buy the most powerful (1 hp) wheel, the Pro model. I know that I don't
> need such a powerful wheel. The model below it (the Premier model) can
> handle 300 lbs of clay. The Pro model is unlimited in what it can
> handle.
>
> I don't imagine that I'll ever throw more than 40 lbs of clay, but is
> there any reason why I shouldn't get the most powerful wheel? The
> difference in price between the models is quite insignificant and is
> not a relevant consideration for me.
>
> I have been advised by two different retailers to get a much lighter
> model -- either the 1/2 hp Elite model (which can handle 110 lbs of
> clay) or the 1/3 hp Legend model (100 lbs of clay). But I can't see
> what advantage there might be to getting either of these less powerful
> models. One possible disadvantage to the pro model is that the motor is
> so big that the legs have to be two inches longer to accommodate the
> motor housing. But I could then get the Premier model with a 3/4 hp
> motor.
>
> I have read that electric motors running at slow speeds create extra
> heat and cause greater wear to the motor. But I talked to a
> representative at Thomas Stuart and he told me that the Stuart
> industrial continuous duty motors (standard on all models) will not
> suffer extra wear when run at low speeds. So what possible advantage
> (aside from an insignificant saving in cost and perhaps in shipping)
> can be gained from having a less powerful wheel over a more powerful
> one? Does anybody have an advice to offer on this matter?
>
> Sheridan Blau
> Santa Barbara, CA
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
>
> 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.
>
>
Darlene Yarnetsky-Mudcat Pottery on tue 10 aug 04
Hi Sherida!
I bought a brent CXC wheel when I started, figuring that left all my
options open. About 5 or so years ago a friend of mine was moving and
needed to quickly sell her almost brand new brent B. I bought the B
and while I have found it fine for throwing all of the smaller stuff,
it slowed down a bit under heavier loads (over 10 pounds) and I wore
out the bearings on it in less than 4 years. My other Brent's bearings
after 12 years of hard use are fine.
Will the same hold true for other wheels? I have no idea. Could be I
just got unlucky. However, if the savings is not an issue, I would
choose the more well powered wheel.
Darlene Yarnetsky
'Mudcat Pottery
Madison, Indiana USA
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