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Buying A New Wheel! ^_^ Yes!


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Okay, guys.

 

I've had it rough these past few months, and you know what? I am gonna do something NICE for myself, and come June, I'm buying a brand spankin' new wheel. I love my wee Brent Model A, but he's getting kind of tired and I need one with a bit more oomph, since centering at high speeds is kinder to my decrepit fingers. Little Baby's slow spin is prolly what's been hurtin' so bad, I bet. Time for a shiny new upgrade! ♥

 

Since I anticipate a rather large sum from this show in June (at the very least, a couple thousand after taxes), I would like to get something pretty delightful. I used Shimpo VL Whispers at my university and LOVED THEM, but what do you guys think?

 

What has been your favorite model of wheel over the years? What are you using now, and would you recommend it to a guinea? I know there are lotsa wise oldschoolers here I could learn so much from, and this is a big chunk of change for a poor rodent. I wanna have a friend that'll be there for many years to come. ♥

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The college studio where I throw has Shimpo VL and RK Whispers and Brent B wheels. My first choice is Shimpo VLas I find them very responsive, powerful, smooth and quiet. There are six of them there and if they are taken then I'll use the Brents which are just as good but you can hear them humming. At home I have a small studio in my basement and I use a Speedball Artista on a counter top and throw standing. I'll also take it outside to my backyard and use it on a bench. If you do well at your show and can afford the Shimpo VL then go for it.

 

Paul

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From what I've heard others say, the Shimpo Whispers, definitely get high marks for quiet.  However, they also apparently have low torque.

 

I like Brents, and have never had an issue using one.  The model Cs are good, or if you want a lot of power, there is the CXC.

 

If you really want to go all out, I've never heard a bad thing about a Thomas Stuart wheel.  They have an extremely responsive foot pedal, great motors, and a HUUUUUGE splash pan.  For me, that last one would be a downside, because I'd probably keep putting off cleaning it out...

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My treat to myself in setting up my (waiting-for-30-years) studio was the Brent ie-x, for the reasons cited below, plus it is definitely quiet enough! I am loving it. The option of reversing rotation and the ability to convert to table top are real assets for me. 

 

brent® ie-x Wheel Features:

·         Handles 100 lbs. continuously

·         Recycled high density poly tabletop

·         Extended height legs adjust for tabletop/storage/portability -- Legs extend from 20" - 25" as a floor model or the extensions can be removed to convert to a 13" tabletop model.

·         Legs are standard diameter Brent legs that fit all Brent wheel attachments -- also powder coated for improved scratch and corrosion resistance. See "Wheel Accessories and Equipment".

·         Electronic speed control with reversing switch -- features a neutral "safety" position to assure smooth transitions when changing direction. Neutral position allows the wheel head to spin freely in both directions to be used as a banding/decorating wheel.
 

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I think the torque issue with the Shimpo won't be much of a problem for me, since I'll be throwing a MAX of three-ish pounds of clay at a time. :3 I'm more in it for speed and a smooth throw. And omg, those Thomas Stuart pans are like wheelbarrows! I think I like the little table space that most tripods have for my water bucket, though. :) Man, those are cool...

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I use the Shimpo VL Whisper at school with 15-20lbs of clay at a time and have not noticed a torque problem (well, not with the wheel at least...I get torqued at myself on bad clay days :wacko: ). The Shimpo is my favorite, but the Brent "C" series wheels are real workhorses.  The CXC model would be my second choice and they were on sale at Amoco in Indianapolis last week for 20% off...I showed great restraint by NOT putting one on a credit card.

Go for it! Get good/solid equipment to work with Guinea.  It will serve you well.

-Paul

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I threw on a whisper. It was quiet I liked it. I bought a TS though for the splash plan. I put a little board across the corner on the right side and put all my tools on it, and then I put my bucket in the splash pan, and I still have massive room for everything. Sometimes I don't clean the thing out for 2-3 weeks, including trimmings. It is the best part about the wheel hands down.

 

If you dont like the large splash pans though, I didn't really notice any difference between a TS and a whisper when throwing small forms 1-5LBs.

 

Congrats on the good work and nice haul. 

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Am I the only weirdo who cleans her wheel after each use? :D I guess it's a habit I learned in college...♥

 

Not at all weird. ;)   I do the same (glad this isn't video'd)

 

I thought you were giving up the wheel?????  Hope that means you are all fixed now?

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The TS is awesome & there is one with a smaller splash pan, I prefer the larger one. I have a VLWhisper & The best thing about it is the quiet. The torque is not great & the splash pan comes apart & leaks. Since buying the TS I use the VL whisper for trimming.

You must be feeling better, great.

Joy

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Well, I'm still pretty broken, sadly. But! I got on some celebrex while I wait for my rheumatology appointment, and it's helped to a degree where I can even walk without a cane some days!! I figured out some things, too. The slower max spin of my wee guy is what's chewing my hands up the worst. Centering sucks! But, a faster wheel means less effort to center. :)

 

Yeah, I remember the VL splashpan was kinda rickety. But, since I thow outside in the sun (only time I can throw), leaks are okay for me. :) They just water the grass! ^_^ Another thing the TS has that I'm not too sure of is having to remove the wheelhead to clean the pan. I think that might be a little too much for my hands. Little screws and stuff are reeeeeally hard for me to grip anymore--I have Gumby fingers a lot. :D The half-circle splashpans are much easier on me. ♥

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I just upgraded to a Thomas Stuart wheel. This suckers got power. But it is noise if you have good hearing. But I am very hard of hearing (ask the wife, hehehe), just kidding. But I am very hard of hearing so the sounds doesn't bother me at all. Anyway, I bought it for the power and the big well. I love it. Hope you find your wheel in shining armor.  ;) 

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I'm no expert on power wheels, since I used a kickwheel for 40 years.  But I do love my new Bailey.  Very quiet.  10 year warranty.  Lots of available gadgets for it, like legs, shelves, etc.  The company seems very good to deal with, so far.

 

It's a new world for me... I can already see that I'm going to be a lot more productive.

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ya know Guinea, I saw a video of a potter who had rheumatoid arthritis and he used a centering arm that came in from the side (looked a lot like and Axner Power Arm) and had another tilt-down that was essentially a foot and half or so pipe that he tilted straight down into the center of the head and used it to open with. He was not demonstrating this process at all but this was a promotional video on his site and he was demonstrating throwing a piece in the studio and simply explained that he had rheumatoid arthritis so  he used these two things and it looked to me like it made the whole process work well for him.  

 

Maybe you have already considered this but I will go see if I can find the video if you have not and your interested?

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maybe use a jigger and jolley?  the jigger arm for the inside and a jolley for the exterior can work to make bowl, plates, etc.  my understanding is that you need many jolley forms so they can hold the clay as it dries. not a good thing in a small space but since the shape is just a background for your exceptionally artistic painting, maybe you could just buy a number of these blanks from someone who makes them.  a friend was owed money by someone who simply sent her boxes of blank pots of various shapes.  she used them to paint beautiful things.  

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It is very similar to "The strong arm centering and opening tool". I just spent some time surfing but cannot find the video I was referencing but this one is the same concept. If you go to youtube and type that in you will see a number of videos and this is the demonstration one. Hope it helps! 

 

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That was a very cool demonstration and looks like a great product for someone who has a debilitating condition that centering and opening would cause stress and pain to their hands, wrists or arms. You can still throw, shape and trim the rest of the piece yourself but its an easier way to start.

 

Paul

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