Bill Seeley on wed 21 sep 05
Can anyone recommend a comparative review of the major brands of potter's
wheels? The one I have now is by a well-known manufacturer, but died of an
electronic component failure after only 4-5 years of light use. While I'm
going through the logistics of getting it fixed, I've decided to buy
another wheel. My previous wheel, manufactured by the same company as my
new one, uses a reliable, easy-to-maintain mechanical transmission and is
still in operation in my son's studio after over 30 years of part-time
use. I'm trying to be more careful in making my next purchase, rather than
relying solely on manufacturer reputation.
Bill
Barbara Arner on thu 22 sep 05
Hi Bill
I'm pretty biased since I just was in one of Paul Soldner's week long workshops -- but he made the point that his Soldner wheels were the only pottery wheel that enables you to slow the speed down and control it that way by foot. -- better than my Brent!
-barbara
--
Barbara Arner
330 Bay Lane
Mantoloking, New Jersey
08738
USA
908 447 2826
bfa1231@comcast.net
-------------- Original message --------------
> Can anyone recommend a comparative review of the major brands of potter's
> wheels? The one I have now is by a well-known manufacturer, but died of an
> electronic component failure after only 4-5 years of light use. While I'm
> going through the logistics of getting it fixed, I've decided to buy
> another wheel. My previous wheel, manufactured by the same company as my
> new one, uses a reliable, easy-to-maintain mechanical transmission and is
> still in operation in my son's studio after over 30 years of part-time
> use. I'm trying to be more careful in making my next purchase, rather than
> relying solely on manufacturer reputation.
>
> Bill
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
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> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
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Leland Hall on thu 22 sep 05
Speaking of different wheels, quite a few years ago, when I had outgrown
the little beginners wheel I started on, I did a ton of web searching
regarding various wheels. I remember stumbling into information on a very
expensive wheel, which was advertised as the "Rolls Royce" of all wheels.
Nope, not the venerable Soldner, but the "Max", if I recall correctly. I
almost purchased one. I even called the manufacturer, and remember being
assured that they were absolutely the best wheel out there. Was told that
nothing else on the market comes close. But after some further
investigating, it seemed that hardly anyone was using them. Why not I
thought? Was it only the high price? I never found out, and wound up with a
top of the line Axner. (which is still going stong by the way)
So now with this thread getting started, I'm wondering again. Anybody
heard of the Max wheel? Anybody using them? They're direct drive
tranmission I recall. I be interested in any comments on these. (just out
of curiosity really.)
Leland,
La Pine
Barbara Arner on thu 22 sep 05
No Leland
I havent heard of Max. But i must take that back -- I am happy w my Brent whell - It's my baby! But I did realize when I was using a Soldner wheel for the workshop it was a lot quieter than my Brent.
Good luck!
-barbara
--
Barbara Arner
330 Bay Lane
Mantoloking, New Jersey
08738
USA
908 447 2826
bfa1231@comcast.net
-------------- Original message --------------
> Speaking of different wheels, quite a few years ago, when I had outgrown
> the little beginners wheel I started on, I did a ton of web searching
> regarding various wheels. I remember stumbling into information on a very
> expensive wheel, which was advertised as the "Rolls Royce" of all wheels.
> Nope, not the venerable Soldner, but the "Max", if I recall correctly. I
> almost purchased one. I even called the manufacturer, and remember being
> assured that they were absolutely the best wheel out there. Was told that
> nothing else on the market comes close. But after some further
> investigating, it seemed that hardly anyone was using them. Why not I
> thought? Was it only the high price? I never found out, and wound up with a
> top of the line Axner. (which is still going stong by the way)
>
> So now with this thread getting started, I'm wondering again. Anybody
> heard of the Max wheel? Anybody using them? They're direct drive
> tranmission I recall. I be interested in any comments on these. (just out
> of curiosity really.)
>
> Leland,
> La Pine
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> 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.
John Hesselberth on thu 22 sep 05
On Sep 22, 2005, at 8:56 AM, Leland Hall wrote:
> Anybody
> heard of the Max wheel? Anybody using them? They're direct drive
> tranmission I recall.
Hi Leland,
I have a Max wheel. I bought it in about 1977 give or take a year or
so. It has been and is an excellent wheel. I expect it will last me the
rest of my life, but I am not a heavy user. Service has been
outstanding. I needed a new controller for the motor 3 or 4 years ago
and received it overnight at a reasonable price. But now the key
question. Is it worth the price given the other wheels on the market
today? I don't know, but I kind of doubt it. Maybe for a production
potter who uses the wheel regularly and hard. But I would check out
less expensive ones first. Axner, Shimpo, Baily for sure. Maybe
Soldner. I gather from what I have heard that Brent is not as good as
they used to be.
When I bought my Max it was the only variable speed available at my
dealer in North Carolina. So I really didn't do any comparative
shopping. But am I happy with it--you bet I am--it is a great wheel.
John
John Hesselberth
http://www.frogpondpottery.com
http://www.masteringglazes.com
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