yarddog Posted July 15, 2015 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Moving cross country to a new studio gives me an opportunity to dump the clunky old Shimpo and start with a new wheel. Have heard and read good things about the Pacifica 800s. Any reason not to buy one? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted July 15, 2015 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 have used the pacifica 400 since 1972. it is great. silent. strong. does what i want. which is not as much as someone who would work on it all day, all week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rakukuku Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 we have dozen pacificas at our group studio. have had them 15 years and we got them used. they get heavy use by many people and have held up really well. we gave them all names after famous potters. rakuku Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 This is like the Ford VS Chevy question. I personally like Brent wheels my second choice is Tomas Stuarts They have a better resale value and are a bit more heavy duty all around. I own 5 Brents right now and Niel on this board has a fleet of Tomas Stuarts. I think Pacificas where better made long ago before they sold out. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarddog Posted July 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Have never been much of a fan of either Fords OR Chevys. But not a Cadillac guy either. More the Oldsmobile type, which I'm sure dates me. The Brent B is about $300 more than the Pacifica 800, both 1/2 hp I believe. And $300 is kind of a big deal to me. At my prices, that's a lot of pots... Worth it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 At my prices, that's a lot of pots... Worth it? Consider $300 over the life of your wheel . . . say 30 years. That comes down to $10/year -- or less than selling one mug per year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Check out the drive belts of all wheels-as well as all the component parts.Yes they are worth the $300 I suggest if price is an issue shop for a used one as they are not that hard to find for a lot less.There has been alot written about this so search the forums as well. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 yes, many people have recently bought wheels. they each have valid and specific reasons why they chose a particular brand. maybe i am the only one who HATES the noise of a brent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 I have had a Brent CXC for 35 years. Bought a used B for $750.00. So now have two Brents. Don't mind the noise. I always thought it was in my head. TJR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 Pacifica used plastic belts for many years to keep the noise down-these tend to stretch out over time and fail and I have heard complainats for years on this point. They recently went to belts that are on all other wheels and do not stretch out. That also means different drive pulleys now on the new wheels.Thats about all I have on Pacifica. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clay lover Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 One of my students bought the 1/2 hp Pacifica ( don't know the name)against my suggestions to go for a sturdier wheel. Price was her comment. I have thrown on it and would not own it. I used an OLD Brent for a long time and upgraded to the 1 hp Thomas Stuart a few years ago. the pedal response alone would be a deciding factor for me. The Pacifica's pedal is wishy washy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 Seems saving a few $ on a wheel you use for decades makes little sense.The resale alone will make up for paying up for it to start with.Just shop around for used wheel if money is tight. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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