Brian Fistler on sat 27 may 06
On Sat, 2006-05-27 at 17:38 -0400, Storm Sears wrote:
> I have been throwing pottery at my local community college for about a year
> and enjoyed this pursuit so much that recently I purchased my own wheel.
> Based on positive reviews, many from this list, I purchased a Shimpo VL-Whisper.
>
> Although I considered myself modestly proficient at throwing by this time,
> all of my throwing experiences with this new wheel have been nothing short
> of a total disaster. The problem is that the wheel does not turn with a
> constant velocity through each rotation. The wheel head turns with a
> slinging or loping motion. This is the case for all wheel speeds.
>
> At first, I thought this must be a performance tradeoff for the quiet,
> direct drive design and that I would have to learn how to cope with it. I
> wrote off the fact that I was having trouble with the wheel to the
> possibility that my throwing skills were deficient. However, after a couple
> of months of this, I am coming to the conclusion that this just cannot be
> right. I would very much like to hear from others who have used this wheel
> for thier opinions.
>
> Thanks
I've also got a VL-Whisper and when it's running at high speed if I hold
my fingernail on the wheel head, especially at moderate or higher speeds
I can just barely detect what sounds like a slight difference in
pitch... I was thinking the same thing as you, that the speed was
varying just ever so slightly, but it is NOT "noticible" as far as
throwing is concerned. If your wheel has enought of a sling-shot that
you can actually feel it, I'd same something is wrong with your wheel.
I would, however, check to make sure the top of the head is running
absolutely true, as Marcia pointed out, it *could* be a bent shaft.
If you get a bat on with a piece of clay or something under one side and
it isn't running perfectly true, it will give that "sling-shot" feeling.
Just start the wheel spinning fast and VERY slowly lower a needle tool
down to the top of the wheel near the rim and make sure one side isn't
higher than the other which will be aparent if the needle tool starts
hitting first on one side.
Also, if you are using bats, make sure the bat pins are tight, and make
sure that the bats are tight on the pins (holes aren't too big) and that
the bats aren't warped.
They are DEFINITELY QUIET... My dog stepped on the control one day when
I forgot to turn off the switch and it's right next to the bedroom with
the door open and I didn't realize it was on until I happened to look at
the wheel spinning.
Brian
Dr. James McDonough on sat 27 may 06
I have had the Shimpo VL- Whisper purchased from Highwater Clays for
about two years. No problems with loping and the quiet is a treat.
After about a year the foot control developed a problem and the
company was great about talking me though trouble-shooting the
problem. When it was not easily remedied Highwater swapped for a new
one and Shimpo backed the swap.
Now if we could only get them to make a pickup truck...
On May 27, 2006, at 5:38 PM, Storm Sears wrote:
> The problem is that the wheel does not turn with a
> constant velocity through each rotation. The wheel head turns with a
> slinging or loping motion. This is the case for all wheel speeds.
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> ________
> 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.
Jennifer Boyer on sat 27 may 06
You need to call Shimpo ASAP! This wheel should perform well for you
and it sounds like you have a lemon. I've had one for 2 years and
although I needed to work with their tech support to get the pedal
adjusted to the resistance I was looking for, it now is a great
wheel. It's quiet, it's smooth. My only beef now is the splash pan.
They say they are redesigning it.
Jennifer, frustrated to hear you doubted yourself and lived with this
problem for so long! No potter would have fun in your situation, no
matter how proficient.....
On May 27, 2006, at 8:19 PM, Marcia Selsor wrote:
> It sounds like a bent shaft to me.
> Marcia Selsor
> http://marciaselsor.com
>
>
> On May 27, 2006, at 3:38 PM, Storm Sears wrote:
>> snip
>> Although I considered myself modestly proficient at throwing by
>> this time,
>> all of my throwing experiences with this new wheel have been
>> nothing short
>> of a total disaster. The problem is that the wheel does not turn
>> with a
>> constant velocity through each rotation. The wheel head turns with a
>> slinging or loping motion. This is the case for all wheel speeds.
>> snip
>>
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> ________
> 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.
*****************************
Jennifer Boyer
Thistle Hill Pottery
Montpelier, VT
http://thistlehillpottery.com
*****************************
Storm Sears on sat 27 may 06
I have been throwing pottery at my local community college for about a year
and enjoyed this pursuit so much that recently I purchased my own wheel.
Based on positive reviews, many from this list, I purchased a Shimpo VL-Whisper.
Although I considered myself modestly proficient at throwing by this time,
all of my throwing experiences with this new wheel have been nothing short
of a total disaster. The problem is that the wheel does not turn with a
constant velocity through each rotation. The wheel head turns with a
slinging or loping motion. This is the case for all wheel speeds.
At first, I thought this must be a performance tradeoff for the quiet,
direct drive design and that I would have to learn how to cope with it. I
wrote off the fact that I was having trouble with the wheel to the
possibility that my throwing skills were deficient. However, after a couple
of months of this, I am coming to the conclusion that this just cannot be
right. I would very much like to hear from others who have used this wheel
for thier opinions.
Thanks
William & Susan Schran User on sat 27 may 06
On 5/27/06 5:38 PM, "Storm Sears" wrote:
> However, after a couple
> of months of this, I am coming to the conclusion that this just cannot be
> right. I would very much like to hear from others who have used this wheel
> for thier opinions.
I got the VL-Whisper this past December.
After I got it set up, turned it on, pressed down on the pedal - nothing
happened. I thought, wow, no wonder it's so quiet, nothing moves.
Called Shimpo help/tech line. They were great. Stayed on the phone, walked
me through the fix (an adjustment to the foot pedal), stayed on the phone
while I put the foot pedal back together, then stayed on the phone while I
threw a pot just to make sure the wheel was working to my satisfaction.
Has been working fine ever since.
So, call Shimpo next Tuesday.
May be an issue with the circuit board.
-- William "Bill" Schran
Fredericksburg, Virginia
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
Marcia Selsor on sat 27 may 06
It sounds like a bent shaft to me.
Marcia Selsor
http://marciaselsor.com
On May 27, 2006, at 3:38 PM, Storm Sears wrote:
> snip
> Although I considered myself modestly proficient at throwing by
> this time,
> all of my throwing experiences with this new wheel have been
> nothing short
> of a total disaster. The problem is that the wheel does not turn
> with a
> constant velocity through each rotation. The wheel head turns with a
> slinging or loping motion. This is the case for all wheel speeds.
> snip
>
>
> Thanks
>
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