phill Posted June 17, 2020 Report Share Posted June 17, 2020 (edited) Hi folks, it's been awhile. I've still been throwing pots and being a potter. Recently I made a leach style treadle wheel and I love it. It was made with less expensive materials, pine instead of hardwood, and a couple other decisions I made that kept cost down. I'm thinking I might be able to make a Leach style Treadle Wheel for about $1000, unfinished. Maybe $1200 painted. Do the wise sages of this ceramics board have any idea if there would be any sort of market for this? Here's my thought. I've always wanted one of these wheels, and my buddy came across some abandoned homemade versions that were all piecemeal and rusted. But I salvaged them and learned how to build the wheel, and it works really well. I finally have my dream wheel, and I didn't have to spend $2500 on it. Maybe there would be more treadlers if the wheel was more affordable? I'd love advice if you are in a helpful and loving spirit. Thanks all! Edited June 17, 2020 by phill Added a photo Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted June 17, 2020 Report Share Posted June 17, 2020 1 hour ago, phill said: Hi folks, it's been awhile. I've still been throwing pots and being a potter. Recently I made a leach style treadle wheel and I love it. It was made with less expensive materials, pine instead of hardwood, and a couple other decisions I made that kept cost down. I'm thinking I might be able to make a Leach style Treadle Wheel for about $1000, unfinished. Maybe $1200 painted. Do the wise sages of this ceramics board have any idea if there would be any sort of market for this? Here's my thought. I've always wanted one of these wheels, and my buddy came across some abandoned homemade versions that were all piecemeal and rusted. But I salvaged them and learned how to build the wheel, and it works really well. I finally have my dream wheel, and I didn't have to spend $2500 on it. Maybe there would be more treadlers if the wheel was more affordable? I'd love advice if you are in a helpful and loving spirit. Thanks all! Might need to change the name, since the leach family still sell them Benzine 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted June 17, 2020 Report Share Posted June 17, 2020 (edited) 3 hours ago, phill said: Hi folks, it's been awhile. I've still been throwing pots and being a potter. Recently I made a leach style treadle wheel and I love it. It was made with less expensive materials, pine instead of hardwood, and a couple other decisions I made that kept cost down. I'm thinking I might be able to make a Leach style Treadle Wheel for about $1000, unfinished. Maybe $1200 painted. Do the wise sages of this ceramics board have any idea if there would be any sort of market for this? Here's my thought. I've always wanted one of these wheels, and my buddy came across some abandoned homemade versions that were all piecemeal and rusted. But I salvaged them and learned how to build the wheel, and it works really well. I finally have my dream wheel, and I didn't have to spend $2500 on it. Maybe there would be more treadlers if the wheel was more affordable? I'd love advice if you are in a helpful and loving spirit. Thanks all! Lots of leach wheel plans out there on the internet, plus I had heard one of his kids at the university of Wisconsin was trying to set up with Amish craftsman to build these in the states as well. Nice wheel, I think if I made one I would really have to go old school and hardwood and clear finish the hardwood just for show. Edited June 17, 2020 by Bill Kielb Benzine 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted June 17, 2020 Report Share Posted June 17, 2020 Nice work Phill! Looks like plans are available (Simon's webpage); might be interesting/worthwhile to inquire regarding naming, particularly if copying the design... Does the layout have to be flipped to turn clock wise? I'd like to go with a bearing over the leather strap, and more metal/composite over wood, and easily reversible ...am liking the (electric) foot pedal more tho'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted June 17, 2020 Report Share Posted June 17, 2020 Treadle wheels are amazing pieces of machinery, but they only appeal to a very, very small group of potters. Compared to electric wheels, they are big and bulky, physically demanding, and they slow down the throwing process. One must be of a particular mindset about making pots to use one. Most people learn on electric wheels, because that's what most community studios have (they can fit a lot more electric wheels in a studio than kick or treadle wheels), and folks tend to stick with what they know. So I don't think there's much of a market for them. I think most people who want one are happy to build their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phill Posted June 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2020 12 hours ago, liambesaw said: Might need to change the name, since the leach family still sell them Thank you for the concern! Sorry for the confusion, I listed this with the Leach name so folks would know the type of wheel I am talking about. I would not name it with their name. And I have modified their design to my own liking. Thanks for the input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phill Posted June 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2020 11 hours ago, Bill Kielb said: Lots of leach wheel plans out there on the internet, plus I had heard one of his kids at the university of Wisconsin was trying to set up with Amish craftsman to build these in the states as well. Nice wheel, I think if I made one I would really have to go old school and hardwood and clear finish the hardwood just for show. Yes, you are correct! There are some halfway decent plans out there, and one of the grandson's names is Simon Leach that you are talking about. He is having an Amish craftsman make them and they are beautiful, and they are also $2500 just for the kit, plus crating and shipping charges. I think he is out of PA though. What I've found is that although hardwood is beautiful, it is not necessary to make a nice, beautiful, strong, and well-functioning wheel. I guess that is where I was thinking there may be a possible market. I think Neil might be right about those who want to use one will probably just build it themselves or buy a hardwood one. Thank you so much for your input! This is helping me think through much more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phill Posted June 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2020 3 hours ago, Hulk said: Nice work Phill! Looks like plans are available (Simon's webpage); might be interesting/worthwhile to inquire regarding naming, particularly if copying the design... Does the layout have to be flipped to turn clock wise? I'd like to go with a bearing over the leather strap, and more metal/composite over wood, and easily reversible ...am liking the (electric) foot pedal more tho'! Thank you! I think you're right, naming it a "Leach" wheel would probably get me in some sort of trouble. No, the layout doesn't have to be flipped to have the wheel spin the other direction. I can crank it counter or clockwise both with my left leg. I think the idea is that if you throw in a counter clockwise manner you'd probably want your right leg to be stable. Maybe less body stress? If you wanted it clockwise, you'd just want to build the wheel flipped like you said so your kick leg is your right leg. It would be interesting to make an all-metal treadle that you could unbolt to move through doors. Or at least if welded up make it less wide than any potential doorways. It sounds like you've been contemplating making one! Also thanks for your input, it is much appreciated. Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phill Posted June 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2020 3 hours ago, neilestrick said: Treadle wheels are amazing pieces of machinery, but they only appeal to a very, very small group of potters. Compared to electric wheels, they are big and bulky, physically demanding, and they slow down the throwing process. One must be of a particular mindset about making pots to use one. Most people learn on electric wheels, because that's what most community studios have (they can fit a lot more electric wheels in a studio than kick or treadle wheels), and folks tend to stick with what they know. So I don't think there's much of a market for them. I think most people who want one are happy to build their own. Yeah, and I think you nailed it with, "most people who want one are happy to build their own." That's what I did! Hahahaha Thanks Neil for your input. Maybe I'll just have to see if anyone ends up asking me about mine. Thanks all! Your wisdom is much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 The market is super small for these Russ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sorcery Posted June 20, 2020 Report Share Posted June 20, 2020 Where are you located? I ask because there may be a way to be set up as a builder for Simon. Especially if you are on the west coast. Or Call it the Leech wheel! Lol! Get it...Leech!? Sorce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbeekeeper Posted December 25, 2020 Report Share Posted December 25, 2020 (edited) I am not making wheels to sale but here is a link to a short video of a kick treadle wheel I just finished making from a black locust tree and some hardware. Tree to Treadle Edited December 25, 2020 by oldbeekeeper Piedmont Pottery, Hulk, Min and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted December 25, 2020 Report Share Posted December 25, 2020 Nice job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbeekeeper Posted December 25, 2020 Report Share Posted December 25, 2020 On 6/17/2020 at 9:57 AM, Hulk said: Does the layout have to be flipped to turn clock wise? The treadle wheels are bidirectional depending on their initial motion. For example I am left handed and throw counter-clokwise but choose to trim clockwise. If you perfer to kick with the other leg the treadle wheel would need to be assembled with the treadle bar on the opposite side but could still rotate counter-clockwise and clockwise. Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbeekeeper Posted December 25, 2020 Report Share Posted December 25, 2020 On 6/17/2020 at 1:44 AM, Bill Kielb said: ... I think if I made one I would really have to go old school and hardwood and clear finish the hardwood just for show. I choose black locust because it is a strong, dense wood and very durable in regard to moisture decay resistance. It is heavier than most oaks and rivals hickory in strength. I cut the tree and air dried the rough sawn boards for several years. Black locust tends to dull blades faster than other hardwoods such as maple or oak but I believe the results are worth the extra effort. celticchrys and Hulk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtg Posted February 26 Report Share Posted February 26 Hello, Just saw this thread.. I learned to throw porcelain on a Leach wheel back in the late 70's at Kansas City Art Institute under Ken Ferguson and Victor Babu. I built my own wheel when I set up a pottery in RI. It is Mahogany with an Oak flywheel.. It is for sale now. If interested you can email me at mgloor@gloordesign.com Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted February 26 Report Share Posted February 26 1 hour ago, mtg said: Hello, Just saw this thread.. I learned to throw porcelain on a Leach wheel back in the late 70's at Kansas City Art Institute under Ken Ferguson and Victor Babu. I built my own wheel when I set up a pottery in RI. It is Mahogany with an Oak flywheel.. It is for sale now. If interested you can email me at mgloor@gloordesign.com Thanks! Please make a listing in the Marketplace section of the forum to sell your wheel. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiJ Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 Good evening, I would love to have a Leach pottery wheel, but I live in the UK. Does anyone know if anyone makes them here please? I think there would be a market for these with people who like traditional ways of working. I love oldbeekeepers wheel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted April 2 Report Share Posted April 2 @DiJ It might be worth an email to Simon Leach to see if he knows of anyone making them in the UK. There may be some family or student connections he has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cogceramics Posted April 7 Report Share Posted April 7 Hello, I would absolutely be interested in purchasing a treadle wheel if you are selling them. I am a potter making pots out in Holyoke Massachusetts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted April 7 Report Share Posted April 7 1 hour ago, cogceramics said: Hello, I would absolutely be interested in purchasing a treadle wheel if you are selling them. I am a potter making pots out in Holyoke Massachusetts. Best to send a direct message if you want to contact him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luitreth Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 On 3/31/2021 at 9:21 PM, DiJ said: Good evening, I would love to have a Leach pottery wheel, but I live in the UK. Does anyone know if anyone makes them here please? I think there would be a market for these with people who like traditional ways of working. I love oldbeekeepers wheel! Messaged you about an original one I have in West Devon if you are interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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