Roger Strom on tue 7 sep 04
I participate in a private pottery club and we are considering the purchase of a couple new
wheels. It is likely that we will be getting the new Shimpo VL Whisper. I am a little
concerned about the splash pan. Does it leak when much water/slip accumulates in the pan
and has it been holding up to repeated removal and reattachment? The pan design seems
inferior to Brent or Pacifica. Splash pans will be removed repeatedly every day, as more that
one person will use it and clean up after each use. A concern has been raised regarding the
wheelhead pitting. Has that been a frequent occurance among users?
We are hoping for durability, ease of use and clean up, fairly quiet operation and smooth
operation at low speeds with these wheels. Our local supplier supports Brent, Pacifica and
Shimpo (and maybe one or two others). Are we making a mistake?
I am thinking about replacing my Pacific GT 800 with the Shimpo. My Pacifica will buck
occasionally at very low speeds (I have also experienced this on Brents). Also, I find the
pedal to be stiff and thus not as smooth as the Brents that I have used.
I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks much!
Roger
Unrouted Mail on tue 7 sep 04
Roger,
After the trouble I had with my Shimpo M-400 and M-750 and Shimpo not
seeming to want to admit that there was a problem with these wheels I swore
never again another Shimpo. As many did after buying a Master wheel.
To make a long story short my M-400 died again and I brought it into my
supplier as I knew the motor was shot. They said they didn't have any
wheels here to lend but if you look after it take this VL-Whisper home.
One week later I bought it. I have thrown thousands of pounds of clay on
this wheel and this time (as opposed to the Master series) this one really
is as quiet as the day I bought it.
I think it is hard to go wrong with the Brent's, etc. So I don't think you
could lose either way. But I do think Shimpo has really nailed it this time
with the VL-Whisper.
I don't like the splash pan at all. It doesn't leak that much it's just too
darn small. I liked the old large splash pans on the Master wheels.
A friend who is a tech at a large art school here in Canada also had a M-750
and he as well had problems with it. He also swore he would NEVER buy
another Shimpo. He threw on mine for 30 minutes or so one day and bought 6
for the school. They really do feel that nice.
As I trim right on a MDF bat without clay wads, just tap it on the bat. I
love the way the wheel head stops instantly. Every once in awhile a pot
might escape while trimming. With this wheel the head stops instantly as
soon as you cut power and that alone has saved a few pots for me!
Interestingly the wheel is freely rotating once power is cut - Shimpo calls
it the "banding wheel mode." I think that's a bit of a stretch but it is one
of the many reasons why I bought the wheel.
The stiff pedal. I fixed that by loosening off the bolt a bit. I as well
like some play in the pedal when throwing. You need to be careful when doing
this and hold the other end of the bolt stationary as this nut/bolt assembly
is attached to the gears that control the wheel speed. You can FUBAR control
if you don't take this precaution.
Good luck on your wheel search. There are lots of nice wheels out there.
Hard to go wrong!
Cheers,
Rod
Roger Strom on thu 9 sep 04
Rod,
Thanks for relaying your experience with the Whisper quiet wheel. I
was excited about it when I first saw it last year, but was beginning
to wonder if it was the right choice for me and for my club. I feel
much better about it now after hearing of your experience with it.
Too bad about the wheelhead quality. I and my club use bats for all
throwing so maybe that will help extend their life. I particularly
like the way it stops quickly, the "banding wheel mode" and the smooth
operation/high torque at low speeds.
Thanks for the tip on the pedal for my Pacifica.
Roger
On Tuesday, September 7, 2004, at 04:53 PM, Unrouted Mail wrote:
> Roger,
>
> After the trouble I had with my Shimpo M-400 and M-750 and Shimpo not
> seeming to want to admit that there was a problem with these wheels I
> swore
> never again another Shimpo. As many did after buying a Master wheel.
>
> To make a long story short my M-400 died again and I brought it into my
> supplier as I knew the motor was shot. They said they didn't have any
> wheels here to lend but if you look after it take this VL-Whisper home.
>
> One week later I bought it. I have thrown thousands of pounds of clay
> on
> this wheel and this time (as opposed to the Master series) this one
> really
> is as quiet as the day I bought it.
>
> I think it is hard to go wrong with the Brent's, etc. So I don't think
> you
> could lose either way. But I do think Shimpo has really nailed it this
> time
> with the VL-Whisper.
>
> I don't like the splash pan at all. It doesn't leak that much it's
> just too
> darn small. I liked the old large splash pans on the Master wheels.
>
> A friend who is a tech at a large art school here in Canada also had a
> M-750
> and he as well had problems with it. He also swore he would NEVER buy
> another Shimpo. He threw on mine for 30 minutes or so one day and
> bought 6
> for the school. They really do feel that nice.
>
> As I trim right on a MDF bat without clay wads, just tap it on the
> bat. I
> love the way the wheel head stops instantly. Every once in awhile a pot
> might escape while trimming. With this wheel the head stops instantly
> as
> soon as you cut power and that alone has saved a few pots for me!
> Interestingly the wheel is freely rotating once power is cut - Shimpo
> calls
> it the "banding wheel mode." I think that's a bit of a stretch but it
> is one
> of the many reasons why I bought the wheel.
>
> The stiff pedal. I fixed that by loosening off the bolt a bit. I as
> well
> like some play in the pedal when throwing. You need to be careful when
> doing
> this and hold the other end of the bolt stationary as this nut/bolt
> assembly
> is attached to the gears that control the wheel speed. You can FUBAR
> control
> if you don't take this precaution.
>
> Good luck on your wheel search. There are lots of nice wheels out
> there.
> Hard to go wrong!
>
> Cheers,
> Rod
>
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