Beth DeBor on tue 31 may 05
Hi all,
This is my first post, so please forgive me if I get a little wordy. I'm
in the process of researching wheels and have narrowed the search to four--
Thomast Stuart Legend or Elite, Shimpo VL Whisper, Pacifica GT400, and
Bailey. I had considered Axner also, but decided against it because of
it's location.
I have read numerous posts about buying wheels and know all the usual
advice and still can't make up my mind. My daughter said, "just pick
one." We even played rock-scissors-paper.
Each has features I like. It's too bad one manufacturer can't incorporate
all the features I like into one wheel. With the Thomas Stuart, or any
wheel for that matter, what do you do to raise the wheel head to
accommodate bigger bats. The Pacifica has a big work space but a smaller
wheel head; but does that really make a difference? The T. S. Classic has
a shaft extender but not on the Legend which is the one I was leaning
toward. I don't recall if any of the others can extend. Does the built-in
splash pan have any benefits? The Bailey has a great splash pan and the
ability to add shelves, etc. but I think I recall reading about another
company whose shelves fit on many wheels (Axner maybe?). The problem with
the Bailey is that it is in NY which is a 4-5 hour drive from where I
live; so if something goes wrong with it, I either have to take it there
myself or ship it. I like the silence of the Shimpo and the ability to put
it on a table but you can raise any wheel high enough to work at tabletop
height using cynder blocks.
So you see, I need some new advice that I haven't read or thought of
already. Can anyone help? In the long run, I don't think I'd go wrong
with any of them but it's a big investment--hopefully one I'll only have
to make once. Thanks for any help you can give. Looking forward to your
responses.
Beth
John Rodgers on wed 1 jun 05
I'm on my second Brent CXC, but my next wheel will be an Axner wheel.
Howards wheels are excellent, and he has designed a system of add-on's
that are really nice to have.
John Rodgers
Chelsea, AL
Beth DeBor wrote:
>Hi all,
>This is my first post, so please forgive me if I get a little wordy. I'm
>in the process of researching wheels and have narrowed the search to four--
>Thomast Stuart Legend or Elite, Shimpo VL Whisper, Pacifica GT400, and
>Bailey. I had considered Axner also, but decided against it because of
>it's location.
>
>I have read numerous posts about buying wheels and know all the usual
>advice and still can't make up my mind. My daughter said, "just pick
>one." We even played rock-scissors-paper.
>
>Each has features I like. It's too bad one manufacturer can't incorporate
>all the features I like into one wheel. With the Thomas Stuart, or any
>wheel for that matter, what do you do to raise the wheel head to
>accommodate bigger bats. The Pacifica has a big work space but a smaller
>wheel head; but does that really make a difference? The T. S. Classic has
>a shaft extender but not on the Legend which is the one I was leaning
>toward. I don't recall if any of the others can extend. Does the built-in
>splash pan have any benefits? The Bailey has a great splash pan and the
>ability to add shelves, etc. but I think I recall reading about another
>company whose shelves fit on many wheels (Axner maybe?). The problem with
>the Bailey is that it is in NY which is a 4-5 hour drive from where I
>live; so if something goes wrong with it, I either have to take it there
>myself or ship it. I like the silence of the Shimpo and the ability to put
>it on a table but you can raise any wheel high enough to work at tabletop
>height using cynder blocks.
>
>So you see, I need some new advice that I haven't read or thought of
>already. Can anyone help? In the long run, I don't think I'd go wrong
>with any of them but it's a big investment--hopefully one I'll only have
>to make once. Thanks for any help you can give. Looking forward to your
>responses.
>
>Beth
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>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.
>
>
>
>
annsemple on wed 1 jun 05
Beth wrote
>With the Thomas Stuart, or any
> wheel for that matter, what do you do to raise the wheel head to
> accommodate bigger bats.=20
I can answer this one!!! There is a shaft extender - easy to insert and =
remove.=20
and in case you want to know, the wheel is wonderful - and so is =
service.
Ann Semple
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
annsemple@shaw.ca
www.clayfootcrockery.com
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of =
arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to =
skid in sideways, champagne in one hand - strawberries in the other, =
body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOO HOO - What a =
Ride!" (Hunter S. Thompson)
Victoria Cherney on wed 1 jun 05
Hi Beth,
I have a Shimpo VL Whisper and really like it. Aside from the two
characteristics you've cited, I would add that when the wheel is still
it turns by hand and can serve as a banding wheel. Also, Pacifica
makes a set of attachable shelves (Pacific Workstation) which fits the
Shimpo. It sells for $100 at Bennett's. I haven't purchased the
Workstation, but hope to one day. The Shimpo pedal is smooth and
sensitive, stops the wheel on a dime and accelerates to high speed
immediately. It's the only wheel I've ever owned, and although I
haven't had it long, I would recommend it. Plus the folks at Shimpo
are responsive.
Good luck,
Victoria
On May 31, 2005, at 8:04 PM, Beth DeBor wrote:
> I like the silence of the Shimpo and the ability to put
> it on a table but you can raise any wheel high enough to work at
> tabletop
> height using cynder blocks
Cynthia Bracker on wed 1 jun 05
Beth DeBor wrote:
>Each has features I like. It's too bad one manufacturer can't incorporate
>all the features I like into one wheel. With the Thomas Stuart, or any
>wheel for that matter, what do you do to raise the wheel head to
>accommodate bigger bats.
>
The shaft extension that someone has already mentioned is very easy to
use. Beyond that, the splashpan is most needed for the centering
process. If you are throwing platters, you would most likely remove the
splashpan after getting the clay centered. For the record, the easiest
to remove splashpan I've seen is on the Pacifica.
>The Pacifica has a big work space but a smaller
>wheel head; but does that really make a difference?
>
No. It's 13" which is not much smaller to begin with, and if you want a
larger wheelhead, then you get a bat.
>The T. S. Classic has
>a shaft extender but not on the Legend which is the one I was leaning
>toward. I don't recall if any of the others can extend. Does the built-in
>splash pan have any benefits?
>
It's easy to clean, can't get lost and won't break. Other than that,
it's personal preference. Some people LOVE the built-in splashpan.
Some like removeable. That's why Thomas Stuart now makes their wheels
both ways.
>The Bailey has a great splash pan and the
>ability to add shelves, etc. but I think I recall reading about another
>company whose shelves fit on many wheels (Axner maybe?). The problem with
>the Bailey is that it is in NY which is a 4-5 hour drive from where I
>live; so if something goes wrong with it, I either have to take it there
>myself or ship it.
>
Pacifica's workstation is really cool. (someone else has already
mentioned it). I think it is adaptable to other wheels too. As you
pointed out, the only place to have any repair work done on a Bailey
wheel is at Bailey.
>I like the silence of the Shimpo and the ability to put
>it on a table but you can raise any wheel high enough to work at tabletop
>height using cynder blocks.
>
Yeah, I think that's pretty cool too. That wheel really is silent!
You do have a tough decision ahead of you. My advice would be to go to
your local supplier and get their advice. Then be sure to buy the wheel
from them. Don't scour the country to find the best deal. Support the
person who is going to be providing your daily service. And chances
are, when you add up all your costs, they're going to come out ahead in
the long run.
Cindy Bracker
>______________________________________________________________________________
>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.
>
>
>
>
--
Cindy Bracker (ext. 12)
Bracker's Good Earth Clays, Inc.
1831 E 1450 Road
Lawrence, KS 66044
TOLL FREE: 1-888-822-1982
FAX: 785-841-8142
http://www.brackers.com
This communication contains proprietary business information and may contain confidential information. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible to deliver it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately destroy, discard, or erase this communication.
Beth DeBor on wed 1 jun 05
Hi Victoria,
Thanks for the info.
Beth
Victoria Cherney wrote:
Hi Beth,
I have a Shimpo VL Whisper and really like it. Aside from the two
characteristics you've cited, I would add that when the wheel is still
it turns by hand and can serve as a banding wheel. Also, Pacifica
makes a set of attachable shelves (Pacific Workstation) which fits the
Shimpo. It sells for $100 at Bennett's. I haven't purchased the
Workstation, but hope to one day. The Shimpo pedal is smooth and
sensitive, stops the wheel on a dime and accelerates to high speed
immediately. It's the only wheel I've ever owned, and although I
haven't had it long, I would recommend it. Plus the folks at Shimpo
are responsive.
Good luck,
Victoria
On May 31, 2005, at 8:04 PM, Beth DeBor wrote:
> I like the silence of the Shimpo and the ability to put
> it on a table but you can raise any wheel high enough to work at
> tabletop
> height using cynder blocks
______________________________________________________________________________
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.
primary e-mail address: potterpals@worldnet.att.net
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