One of the very first skills you have to master as a newbie potter is the art of “throwing,” or using a pottery wheel.
Whether you’re on your way to shopping for your first pottery wheel or you’re just about to entertain the thought of enrolling in a pottery class, the learning curve can feel overwhelming!
While learning about the centuries-old practice of pottery can be intimidating, you have to start somewhere.
To jumpstart your pottery journey, take a quick look at the types of pottery wheels and how they work. From there, we’ll move onto the exciting bit –– how you can find the best beginner’s pottery wheel.
How was the pottery wheel invented?
It’s interesting how the advancement of society can be viewed through the lens of pottery!
Who knew that humanity’s solution for making hunting, farming, and cooking easier would be the potter’s wheel?
The very first pottery wheel or slow wheel is believed to date back to 4500 BC. By 3000 BC, fast wheels made hundreds of thin, perfectly round cups and pots.
What is a pottery wheel?
Pottery wheels are machines used to throw round ceramics, like pots, plates, mugs, and vases.
Clay is placed on top of the wheel, which spins at a steady rate. A skilled potter makes it deceptively easy to mold clay by hand into a uniform circular shape.
Types of Pottery Wheels
Electric Pottery Wheel
The most common type of pottery wheel today is electric. A foot pedal is used to turn the wheel fastener as pressure is added.
The electric potter’s wheel is the biggest innovation to pottery, allowing potters to produce volumes of work at an incredible pace.
Pros
- More portable: lighter and smaller
- More efficient and faster throwing
Cons
- Needs electricity
- More difficult to control
- Can be noisy
Kickwheel
Manual pottery wheels are still available today, but they’re more challenging to come by.
Kick wheels work the same way, but the wheel’s rotation is turned and controlled by the potter himself, using a separate wheel at the bottom of the frame.
Pros
- Low maintenance and can last a lifetime
- Allows counterclockwise and clockwise rotation to accommodate right and left-handed throwing
- Models come with motors to get the flywheel up to speed
Cons
- Difficult to transport and move
- Long-term use can cause knee problems/arthritis
Using a Pottery Wheel
An electric pottery wheel won’t stop turning as long as your foot’s on the pedal. But here’s where it gets complicated –– the potter has to find the perfect speed and pace throughout the throwing process.
You have to think about turning the clay slowly while centering the clay or increasing the speed to make a piece taller, all while wetting and sponging the clay.
Special pottery tools are used to add detail to each piece.
Pottery Wheel Considerations
Aside from figuring out the best pottery clay to work with, beginner potters are often stumped by what to look for in a pottery wheel.
Take a look at the top factors to consider when buying a pottery wheel:
Pottery Wheel Price
Getting your first potter’s wheel is a major expense, so make sure to check out several online suppliers or maybe even your local ceramic or art shop.
Thankfully, electric pottery wheels can accommodate a wide range of budgets. You can find beginner pottery wheels at around $130, while models with more comprehensive functions can cost up to $2000 or more.
Pottery Wheel Lifespan
Sure, it makes sense to buy a “beginner’s wheel” if you’re just starting out. However, if you’re planning to develop your skills and make pottery a part of your life, it would be best to get a durable (and more expensive) model right off the bat.
A well-maintained electric pottery wheel can last a decade, and a kick wheel can be a lifelong companion.
When getting your first pottery wheel, make sure to consider your present needs and not only your present needs but your long-term pottery goals.
Portability
Electric wheels are generally more portable than kick wheels. They’re often lighter and smaller, giving potters greater freedom to move studios or share their craft in demonstrations.
Motors: Speed and Horsepower
Electric pottery wheels are made with variable speed control, mostly allowing 0 to 240 RPM or higher.
Pottery wheel horsepower ranges from ⅙ to 1 and a half horsepower, determining the total motor torque.
Torque (or power) determines how much clay (by weight) your pottery wheel can center. Commercial wheels can center 20 to 50 pounds of clay. For bigger projects, some pottery wheels have a centering capacity of more than 170+ pounds.
Wheelhead Configuration
Bucket-style wheel heads are used for plaster bats, but flat wheel head metal disks are more common.
Wheel heads or bat pins are used to attach the bat to the wheel head for throwing. The standard configuration is two ⅜-inch pins attached 10 inches away from the center of the wheel head.
However, pin size, distance, and number can vary, which is why you need to get a wheel head that can accommodate your work.
Workspace and Splash pans
Your basic pottery wheel will consist of a frame, wheel head, and power source (flywheel or motor)
While you can create your own workspace, you can get pottery wheels with attached work tables and splash pans. Pottery wheel workspaces vary in size and placement of the wheel head, so you’ll have to look at different setup options that will work perfectly for your throwing style
Conclusion
Just as important as picking the best pottery tool kit, you need to find a pottery wheel that suits your unique needs. With prices that fit nearly every budget, novice potters and expert artisans can invest in high-quality pottery wheels that promise smooth throwing for symmetrical and beautiful results.
Whether you choose an electric wheel or a kick wheel, remember to look for a pottery wheel that is long-lasting, portable, easy to maintain, and has wheel head and workspace configurations that accommodate your needs.
Choose a pottery wheel that meets your needs while allowing you to grow and develop your skills as a master potter.
Excited to start throwing?
Check out our guide on Choosing the Best Pottery Wheel in 2021.