Carol on wed 18 jan 06
I've been trying to find a used Lockerbie EK Kickwheel or a distributor in
Georgia, North or South Carolina. I've used a Lockerbie without the
elctric motor in school and love it. I'd like to hear some reviews on the
Lockerbie kick Wheel with the motor, how user friendly the foot pedal is,
and to know where to find one in the Southeastern U.S.
W J Seidl on thu 19 jan 06
Carol:
There's not much to tell. The pedal on the EK pushes the rubber wheel =
on
the end of the motor against the side of the cement flywheel, and =
_should_
release it again when you let up on the pedal. It's an on/off thing, =
not a
speed variable, like an electric wheel. The variation in speed comes =
from
how fast the flywheel is already turning when you apply the motor to the
flywheel. Top speed is a bit less than an electric, which I've not =
found to
be a problem. Your foot can be a brake, for slowing the wheel down
immediately. I understand that Lockerbie is also offering a "brake"
attachment now, so you needn't wear out your sneakers .
That said, I added a spring to the mechanism on mine to forcibly retract =
the
motor from the side of the flywheel, without creating so much tension =
that
it was hard to press the pedal. If you have the adjustnment set =
"right",
you can finesse the RPMs by touching the motor to the flywheel just =
quickly,
lightly. It doesn't take long to learn how to control it.
As long as you keep the mechanism lubricated, it works fine. I spray =
mine
with a shot or two of WD-40 before I use it each time, because I take a =
hose
to mine to clean it after each use.
The Lockerbie will probably last you a lifetime, with a minimum of care.
It's a strong wheel, but a BEAR to lift. I think it weighs in the
neighborhood of about 350 pounds...or so says my back. Not something =
you
want to move around a lot.
Keep your eyes open for people selling them used. Look in the paper, in =
the
money saver style papers if you have one in your area. I bought mine =
used
last year from a lady in east central Florida for $150, so they are out
there, though rare. You might also subscribe to
potterbarter@yahoogroups.com. =20
If you are considering a new one, you can get them from most ceramic
suppliers, such as Axners, Brackers, etc. Check where you buy your
supplies.=20
Best of luck,
Wayne Seidl
Key West FL
Whose Lockerbie EK went through two feet of seawater in the recent =
flood.
No damage to the wheel, but the motor died. :>(
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Carol
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 10:45 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Lockerbie Model EK Kick Wheel
I've been trying to find a used Lockerbie EK Kickwheel or a distributor =
in
Georgia, North or South Carolina. I've used a Lockerbie without the
elctric motor in school and love it. I'd like to hear some reviews on =
the
Lockerbie kick Wheel with the motor, how user friendly the foot pedal =
is,
and to know where to find one in the Southeastern U.S.
_________________________________________________________________________=
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Jeanie Silver on thu 19 jan 06
Carol
I've used a Lockerbie for several years. I replaced my old Brent
kickwheel -from-a-kit with the Lockerbie EK kickwheel. Its big and
extremely sturdy. I can center 25 pounds without having to hunch over the
wheel too much. So being able to keep your back straight is a big plus for
me.
Can't help you with a southeastren source, but I'd reccomend it highly.
Jeanie in Chester county ,Pa. USA.
Taylor, in Rockport TX on thu 19 jan 06
On Wed, 18 Jan 2006 22:44:39 -0500, Carol wrote:
>I've been trying to find a used Lockerbie EK Kickwheel or a distributor in
>Georgia, North or South Carolina. I've used a Lockerbie without the
>elctric motor in school and love it. I'd like to hear some reviews on the
>Lockerbie kick Wheel with the motor, how user friendly the foot pedal is,
>and to know where to find one in the Southeastern U.S.
Carol my dearest...
The Lockerbie is a kickin' kick wheel (please excuse the redundant play-on-
words pun)(oops) and a great wheel to have. It takes up perhaps three
times the floor space as a brent but still a great wheel. As long as those
two bearings are kept greased up, what could go wrong? Sure the motor
can't be submerged but just don't take your wheel fishing.
My only wheel is a Lockerbie and it is great. The mechanism for the drive
motor is very simple and easy to opporate. The other post is right on
about having to learn how to coax other than top speed from the motor. I
can even kick it up with my rubber boots on, throw some, go check the
chickens, throw some more, go say howdy to the neighbor's jack, throw some
more....
It is a heavy piece of equipment for sure. When I took it out of my truck
here in Rockport, my wife and I orchestrated a 'controlled fall' from the
tailgate onto some large cardboard boxes, it was too heavy for two people
to lift (we two people that is).
I'm sure the local clay supplier could get you in touch with a distributer
if it isn't one itself. Got mine when the local arts center used a grant
to buy all new Brent CXs. $50 donation. If I would have had the room, I
would have donated for TWO!
Good luck and good kicking,
Taylor
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