Jon Walls on fri 18 aug 06
Tony,
Thanks for your comments on Venco's new Direct Drive wheel. I have
forwarded your remarks to Bernie at Venco. He has addressed each point
and has asked me to reply to you and CLAYART and to express his sincere
thanks.=20
I think the most important point you've raised is the possibility of
water or slurry getting into the sensitive electronics. When the wheel
head is removed, it becomes clear that this can't happen. Bernie writes:
"Under the wheelhead, there are two dams that prevent water getting to
the shaft bearings. The bearing collar is also raised above the tray
level.... If the bat pins are removed (and no plugs are fitted) then
some water and clay may make its way down to the outer dam. We also have
a drain tube fitted that drains this area in the event that the potter
does not use plugs to fill the pin holes." He has included a photo to
illustrate which I will send to you.
As to wheelhead braking response, Venco employs an electronic braking
circuit that decelerates the wheelhead when the foot is lifted. It is
currently tuned to do it slowly to prevent large diameter pots from
being damaged by studded stops. Venco says that this has a lot to do
with personal preference but they point out that their current settings
are based on local potter input. They do welcome your comment.=20
The problem of bat pins being too large is easily resolved. The
wheelhead holes are already centered 10" apart and Venco will supply
standard North American pins. Also, for those who want to throw without
a bat, Venco will supply blanking screws to plug pin holes.
With respect to large pieces, Venco supplies a "riser bat" to allow
throwing beyond the splashpan rim. If North American pins are
substituted, presumably distributors will have to specify that riser
bats be drilled accordingly.
On the issue of where to place tools and water, Bernie says that Venco
found that some potters liked to use the front of the wheel tray for
that purpose or preferred to use a studio table; those who preferred the
latter often said they wouldn't want shelves so it was decided to make
them optional. In any event, that's really a matter for North American
distributors to decide - there's no reason why optional extras like
shelves and riser bat can't be packaged and sold as standard equipment -
if that's what potters want.
Finally there's your concern about noise. Before giving you Bernie's
reply, I think it important to say that Venco acknowledges that their
new wheel is not as quiet as Shimpo's Whisper wheels, the other direct
drive wheel on the market. When we first heard that Venco was about to
introduce a direct drive wheel I assumed it would be comparably silent.
When it arrived, I was disappointed - it sounded like a belt and pulley
wheel. Perhaps my expectation was a little unreasonable but I do think
it is important that Venco make every effort possible to keep the noise
level below the popular belt and pulley wheels on the market; Shimpo has
set a high standard in noise reduction which can't be ignored by
competitors. Bernie reports that Venco has "redesigned the motor mount
to isolate the motor noise/vibration in the current models." He says, "I
have just checked one of our wheels here and I think it is quiet - but
since this is so subjective it is hard for me to give some sort of
indication of amount of noise."
Venco is sending us the most recent electronics and noise dampening
components for us to retrofit the model we have. I'll let you know when
the changes are made.
One last thing. As you probably know, Tony, we have no strong ties to
Venco. We have sold a few Super twin pugmills and ordered replacement
parts for older Venco pugmills but we are not committed to carrying
their new wheel. In fact, I have wondered whether it makes any sense
carrying yet another potter's wheel when the Whispers, FREMAs and
Pacificas seem to cover most potter's needs. But I really do think
they've got a neat package here - 3/4 hp, portability (55 lb.), wireless
foot pedal and a pleasing design. Most important, Venco has invested a
lot of time and effort developing it and you can bet they're listening -
so stay tuned...
Jon Walls
The Pottery Supply House
Euclid's Elements/Euclid Kilns
1120 Speers Road
Oakville, Ontario,=20
Canada
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of clennell
Sent: August 15, 2006 2:19 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Living in the wheel world
Well I've been driving the new direct drive Venco for the past few days
and having received the wheel I wanted to luv it! So far we are just
kissing and have gone no further. I have used a Venco pugmill for 20
years without a
problem- maybe they need to resurrect Harry Davis to design products
made to be used by potters. Perhaps the gang at Venco could respond to
Clayart or perhaps John Walls at PSH can chim in. The wheel is noisy
under the slightest amount of pressure- even trimming, bat pins are too
large for North American bat systems, if you take the pins out the water
will flow down directly into the electronics, because the sexy turquoise
splash pan is stationary and can't be removed large bats can not be used
and large bowls and platters can't be lifted off, there is no working
platform to put your water and tools (except as an option), the wheel
continues to revolve after you stop. It looks great, it's nice and
light, stainless, direct drive, cordless footpedel, clean out on splash
pan very handy, and I am not a fan of Shimpos. Shimpo Whisper is the
wheel they have to beat even though I think the Pacifica is a far better
wheel for bigware makers. Shimpos start and stop too suddenly and that
can be a big problem for a big bowl that needs the rim flattened just a
tad more. To compete with Shimpo in this market if they can address
these problems and learn from the Japanese car makers of 3 decades ago.
You sell the product with all the options on it. Yep, ya include the
table setup. People get a pretty colour with performance on par or
surpassing and you have a competitor. Give them more product for the
same price and you are living in the wheel world. Give them less for
more $$$ and you will stay down under. Looking forward to having my way
with a Venco. Best, Tony
Tony and Sheila Clennell
Sour Cherry Pottery
4545 King Street
Beamsville, Ontario
CANADA L0R 1B1
How To Make Handmade Cane Handles, Taking the Macho Outta Bigware and
Get a Handle On It DVD's available at http://www.sourcherrypottery.com
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