Whether you’re a beginner, a hobbyist trying to avoid the inconvenience of a shared studio, or an established artist looking to expand your studio, choosing the right pottery wheel for creating ceramic art is critical – as much as the choice of the right kiln. Given that this investment can be both thrilling and daunting, we’ve created a guide to help you better understand what things to consider when looking at and assessing various models.
Wheelhead Configuration
Create art with a high-quality ceramic banding wheel. One of the first aspects to consider when on the hunt for the best banding wheel is the wheelhead configuration. It is the revolving piece mounted in the centre of a pottery wheel where your clay will be formed during the throwing process. While they do come in different shapes and sizes, most wheelheads are flat, metal, circular surfaces, ranging from 8” to 14” in diameter.
The size you choose will be largely determined by the type of projects you intend to create. If you’re throwing huge pots, platters, and other pottery with wide bases, you’ll need a larger wheelhead to fit your project. If you do not, however, intend to create pieces of this size, you can opt for a model with a smaller wheelhead.
Furthermore, some wheels include bat pins that are easier to remove, allowing the potter to trim their piece right on the wheelhead. If you plan on trimming your ware while it is still on your pottery wheel, make sure the type you choose has pins that can be quickly removed.
Durability
If you’re buying your first pottery wheel, it’s normal to lean towards low-cost models for beginners. However, pottery wheels survive a long time; if properly maintained, an electric wheel can last a decade or more, but a kickwheel can last a lifetime. If you intend to make ceramics a regular part of your life, you should think about your long-term goals and demands as a potter. As you progress as an artist, and learn new techniques and tasks, you may discover that a beginner’s wheel cannot keep up.
Portability
The flexibility to move your pottery wheel as needed is not required for every artist, but you should consider whether this feature is vital to you before choosing. Portable pottery wheels are smaller and lighter, and despite their lower clay load capacities, they are quite popular among teachers and people who provide demonstrations at events and arts festivals.
If you plan to relocate your studio space in the future, want to quickly transfer your pottery wheel in a multi-use studio, or want to be able to carry your wheel with you when travelling, portable banding wheels are important.
In terms of portability, you can choose between kickwheels and electric ceramic banding wheels. The former is heavier than the latter although they are motorless and manually operated.
Workspace
While some pottery wheels are quite basic, consisting only of a wheel head, frame, and power source, others include attached worktables, splash pans, and a variety of accessories.
First, evaluate the space in which you will store your pottery wheel to determine the size you can and want to accommodate. If you already have a worktable and don’t need a larger machine, there’s no reason to invest more. However, if you want a ceramic banding wheel that can provide all services in one, attached workspaces exist in a variety of sizes and placement possibilities around the wheelhead. So, choose the layout that best suits your style.
Another aspect of the workplace to consider when comparing various models is the necessity of cleanliness. Some pottery banding wheels include a splash pan, which is a moulded plastic tray that is placed around the pottery wheel to prevent clay and water from spraying the artist, floor, or surrounding space.
These considerably lessen the mess from tossing, however, other artists believe they interfere with the throwing process. Depending on your particular tastes and workspace, you can decide whether or not a splash pan is a desirable component in a pottery wheel.
Your Budget
All pottery wheels are an investment regardless of the model you choose, although their prices vary. Because the cost of a pottery wheel is mostly determined by its capabilities and distinctive features, you must first examine your demands in terms of the art you wish to produce, the space in which you will create it, and the length of time you intend to use it.
Once you’ve decided your needs, look for a wheel that will fit them at the best price. Budget ceramic banding wheels typically fall within the price range, making them far more affordable than high-tech professional models and ideal for novices and budget hobbyists. However, keep in mind that such models are less durable, have a lower clay load capacity (clay weight limit), have less power and speed, and are usually less advanced in their capabilities.
