Five Tips for Buying Pottery Wheels

If you're interested in making your own pottery, then you will definitely need to buy a wheel. There are a few things you need to consider when buying pottery wheels. Some of these include type, belt, and power. This article will give you a few tips for buying pottery wheels.

Type

One of the first things you need to consider when buying pottery wheels is the type. There are manual and electric wheels. You have to use your foot or hand to crank or pump manual wheels at the proper speed. Since you have to use your own power with these wheels, it's best not to buy one that's too large to handle. Electric pottery wheels are much easier to use since they are powered by electricity. Electric designs usually provide different speed settings and strengths.

Belt

One of the next things you need to consider when buying pottery wheels is the belt. The belt will loosen over time and need to be tightened. You should look to buy pottery wheels that provide for easy belt adjustment so that you can keep the wheel spinning easily.

Power

If you choose to buy one of the electric pottery wheels, you will also need to think about power. The power of the motor is measured in horsepower. There are usually two horsepower ratings, namely peak and continuous duty. You should pay more attention to continuous duty horsepower since the wheel will be spinning for prolonged lengths of time.

Height

One of the next things you need to think about when buying pottery wheels is their height. The height of the wheel will largely determine whether you have to sit or stand while using it. If the height is too short, you will need to sit down and use it. This can lead to back pain over time. Therefore, you should look for pottery wheels that are tall enough so that you can stand while using them.

Stability

One of the final things you should consider when buying pottery wheels is their stability. You should look for a design that has a wedged bottom. Also, heavier tables will provide more stability than their lighter counterparts. You may also want to look for pottery wheels that have rubber feet. This will provide even more stability.