As an artist, the quality of your tools and your skills play a significant role in your success. In this guide, we go in-depth into some of the best pottery wheel brands you should consider. A pottery wheel makes it easy to shape various types of ceramic ware. You can also use the wheel during the process of trimming excess material for dried ware and even for design aesthetics procedures. That said, before making the most of pottery skills, you also have to select the correct tools for the best results.
You will no longer have to struggle with the conventional handmade methods, which can produce inconsistent results.
Below are some of the leading models for you to consider:
Brent Model IE Potter’s Wheel with Reversing Switch
Discover the excellence of the Brent Model IE Potter’s Wheel, which offers many unique features to make it easy to work on your pottery projects. The potter’s wheel is ideal for various applications, including traveling, workshops, or even for demonstrations.
The potter’s wheel has a unique design, which has many unique functions. For instance, the height-adjustable design makes this unit ideal to use on a tabletop or as a floor model. More so, the wheel height ranges are unique to suit such specific applications. For instance, the wheel height ranges from 13″ (33 cm) for tabletop use and ease of storage to 20–25″ (51–64 cm) for use as a floor model.
More so, the pottery wheel has a robust design, which is supported by a rigid all-steel frame. Thanks to the inclusion of a permanent DC motor, you will enjoy dependable and variable speed control results each time. The machine also features an aluminum foot pedal, which ensures smooth control at a unique speed range of between 0-240rpm.
The Good
- Height adjustable for use on tabletops or floors
- Comes with an easy to attach foot pedal
- Legs are easy to adjust through telescoping
The Bad
- Slightly heavy for some users
Brent Model CXC Power Wheel
Brent is clearly among some of the leading pottery wheel brands on the consumer market today. Thus, this is why the Brent Model CXC power wheel is also perfect for your pottery projects. Check out some of its exciting features below.
For instance, the Model CXC comes with a simple to control use panel for the best user experience. It features the conventional forward, neutral and reversing options for ease of use. Even more, the modular style foot pedal, motor, and control box make troubleshooting convenient.
For those who have students, or if you are perhaps an experienced potter, you will appreciate the unique poly v drive system. Equipped with heavy-duty wheels, this unit offers strong and consistent performance results each time.
With the six groove self tension and seamless belt, you will enjoy various benefits when working on your pottery projects. These include power, efficiency, and smooth control – perfect for handling well over 300 lb (136 kg) of clay.
The Good
- Modular style foot pedal with motor and control box
- Comes with heavy-duty wheels for strong performance
- Tough 1 HP motor and unique poly v drive system
- Six groove self-tensioning belt for optimal power
The Bad
- Motor warms up when used for long durations
Brent WorkStation
You are one step from producing results like a pro when it comes to pottery! How is this possible when you thought it takes many years? Well, consider the Brent Workstation, which boasts of all the unique features you need to work on pottery projects.
For instance, this work station offers the perfect combination of convenience and versatility to your workspace. It can let you store clay, modeling tools, brushes, and various other supplies within arms reach.
When choosing a work station, you must evaluate the material construction of your chosen unit. Thus, the workstation is 1/3″ (8 mm) thick and made from rigid and easy to clean material.
Set up is also a breeze when you have the Brent Workstation. It features an adjustable table height, which you can customize by using convenient knobs on each side at the same time. The Brent brand has also done well to include two storage cups holders, which make it easy to store your working material.
The Good
- Adjustable table top with simple to loosen knobs
- Rigid and easy to clean material
- One-piece curved table is easy to attach to steel supports
The Bad
- Produces a slight noise when working on large clay pieces
Speedball Artista Potter’s Wheel
Success and productivity are what you can expect when you have the Speedball Artista Potters Wheel. Designed to be easy to transport and be highly economical, the Speedball Artista wheel is also an excellent recommendation. The tabletop wheel is easy to store, and it has all the features you need to become a top performer.
The Potter’s wheel features a two-part removable splash pan, with adequate space from two-quart buckets. Yes, that’s right! When you have this unit, you will enjoy convenient space for your materials. Powered using a 1/3 HP motor, this potter wheel is both efficient and effective for ceramic ware. The motor is hand-controlled, and it has a variable speed function (0-220) with 25lb centering capacity.
Storage is also a crucial factor to consider when buying pottery wheels. Thus, this unit comes with folding aluminum legs, which you can attach to accommodate seated throwing. More so, they can detach for optimal portability or storage benefits.
You can even convert the Artista Potters Wheel from hand-operated to foot-powered, by using a simple plugin foot pedal.
The Good
- Foldable aluminum legs which are easy to attach to seat throwing
- Easy to convert from hand-operated to foot-powered
- Comes with a 1/3 HP motor which is hand controlled
- Comfortable 22” height for stable seated throwing
The Bad
- Heavy in size for some users
Speedball Big Boss and Clay Boss Potter’s Wheels
The Speedball Big Boss and Clay Boss Potter’s Wheels are also perfect for both novice and experienced users. The Potter’s wheel features an advanced design, with a small but powerful motor. It features wheels that are mounted on a sturdy steel frame for optimal mobility. Yes! With this unit, mobility becomes a breeze.
As you would expect with all high-performance pottery wheels on the market, this unit has a splash pan and full circle coverage. Thus, your workspace always stays neat, regardless of the nature of your work. Both wheels also come with a Speedball 14″ (356 mm) steel wheel head for easy speed control.
Also, the electronic circuitry helps to maintain the wheel head speed even under different loads. More so, the food pedal with solid-state variable speed controls lets you customize the process to suit your needs. If you are a novice, you will appreciate the two bats and instruction DVD that is included with this unit.
The Good
- Small and powerful motor for optimal performance
- Electronic circuitry for maintaining wheel head speed
- Comes with foot pedal and solid-state variable speed control
- Splash pan included with every wheel and full circle coverage
The Bad
- N/A
Shimpo VL-Whisper Potter’s Wheel
Easily ranking among some of the best pottery wheels on the market, the Shimpo VL whisper potter’s wheel is also outstanding. It’s a whisper-quiet potter’s wheel, which is perfect for various applications. You can use it in classrooms, or even in your workspace, and be free from the noise associated with some Potters wheels on the market.
The performance of the wheels on your chosen device is crucial, especially in your ability to work ceramic ware. This is where the Shimpo VL comes in! The wheel features a direct drive and beltless system to make it perfect for working in skill-intensive projects.
Yes! When you have the Shimpo Vl Potter’s wheel, you can still produce results like a pro. As you would expect with a top performance tool, this unit even comes with a remote foot pedal. You can use it to control the speed easily. Since it’s a reversible motor, its perfect for both left and right-handed potters. With the Shimpo VL Potters wheel, your preferences do no matter- because you are always covered no matter what!
The Good
- Three adjustable and removable legs for ease of set up
- Reversible motor suitable for left and right-handed users
- Has a 14-inch alloy wheel head and can run at 0 rpm
- 1/2HP DC motor with a speed range of between 0-250rpm
The Bad
- N/A
Finally
You can still work on your ceramic ware, and produce excellent results. Whether you are a teacher, a student, or even a professional, the best pottery wheel is perfect for your projects. Before buying one, ensure you consider your needs and the features you may expect. Usually, a top-end unit comes with sturdy wheels, a powerful motor, variable speed, and more.
We have the top pick on this list, being the Brent Model IE Potter’s Wheel. That said, there are many other brands available on this list, and you should consider them for your pottery projects.