Are Shimpo Pottery Wheels Good?
Shimpo has been a respected name in the ceramic arts world since the 1950s. The company was founded in Kyoto, Japan in 1958 when they released their first potter’s wheel, the RK-1. Over the decades, Shimpo has continued to innovate and release new pottery wheel models, becoming one of the most well-known brands among ceramic artists and potters.
According to the Shimpo company history, they released their RK-2 model in 1967 and M1 wheel in 1998. In 2002, the company became Nidec-Shimpo when Nidec Corporation acquired Shimpo. Despite the name change, Shimpo has maintained their reputation for high-quality pottery wheels.
Today, Nidec-Shimpo offers a range of pottery wheel models and other ceramic equipment. Their wheels are known for precise speed control, powerful torque, and quiet operation. In the ceramic community, the Shimpo brand is synonymous with exceptional craftsmanship and reliability.
Shimpo Wheel Models
Shimpo offers a range of pottery wheel models to suit different needs and budgets. Some of their most popular models include:
Shimpo Whisper
The Whisper is Shimpo’s classic, entry-level pottery wheel. It has a powerful 1/2 HP motor enclosed in a steel casing for quiet operation. The 12-inch wheel head can be set to variable speeds from 0-250 RPM.
Shimpo Aspire
A step up from the Whisper, the Aspire has a powerful 3/4 HP motor and combines performance with thoughtful ergonomic design. It has a height-adjustable splash pan and wheel head. Top speed is 250 RPM.
Shimpo RK-10
The RK-10 is Shimpo’s premium professional-grade wheel. It has a powerful 1 HP motor and sturdy cast iron body. The digital control panel allows precise speed adjustment from 0-300 RPM. Its height and tilt are fully adjustable.
Shimpo VL Lite
The Shimpo VL Lite is designed for educators and small spaces. It has a lightweight but powerful 1/2 HP motor and a digital control panel with variable speed up to 240 RPM. The wheel head is height adjustable.
Shimpo Wheel Features
Shimpo wheels are known for their high-quality construction and user-friendly features. Some of the key features that set Shimpo wheels apart include:
Speed Control – Shimpo wheels come with a foot pedal that allows you to easily control the speed while throwing. This gives you precise control to slow the wheel down to center clay or speed it up when shaping a piece. Many Shimpo wheels offer variable speed control with multiple settings.
Powerful Motors – The motors used in Shimpo wheels provide consistent power and torque, even at slow speeds. This prevents the wheel from bogging down when centering heavy clay. Shimpo often uses quiet, fan-cooled motors that provide longevity.
Digital Speed Readout – Higher-end Shimpo models have an LED display that shows the exact wheel speed in RPMs. This allows you to precisely dial in your preferred speed.
Adjustable Height – Many Shimpo wheels come with a spring-loaded mechanism that allows you to raise or lower the wheel head to suit your height. This provides proper positioning and ergonomics.
Removable Splash Pan – Shimpo wheels feature a removable acrylic or metal splash pan that catches water and clay scraps, keeping the studio clean. The splash pans are easy to remove for cleaning.
Durable Construction – Shimpo uses high-grade materials like aluminum, stainless steel, and industrial plastics to ensure their wheels last through years of throwing. Key components are precision-machined for reliability.
Shimpo Wheel Quality
Shimpo pottery wheels are known for their high quality and durability. According to reviews, they consistently perform well even after years of heavy use (Shimpo VL Whisper Pottery Wheel Review). The Shimpo VL Whisper model, for example, features a powerful 250-watt motor and sturdy steel chassis that makes it very stable while throwing. The RK-55 model also gets praise for its stability and ability to center large, heavy loads of clay thanks to its solid cast iron wheel head and quality ball bearings (Shimpo RK-55 Potter’s Wheel Review).
Overall, reviews indicate Shimpo wheels stand up well over time even with heavy daily use in busy studio environments. Their durability and stability during throwing make them a quality investment for potters. Factors like the steel/cast iron construction on most models contribute to their consistency and longevity according to users.
Shimpo Customer Reviews
Overall, Shimpo wheels receive very positive feedback from customers. On Amazon, the Shimpo VL-Whisper has a 4.7 out of 5 star rating based on over 400 reviews. Customers praise the whisper-quiet motor, smooth rotation, and sturdy build quality. Many mention the VL-Whisper is an excellent wheel for beginners through advanced potters. Some cons mentioned are the weight makes it difficult to move, and the speed is a bit slower than desired by some reviewers.
Reviews of the Shimpo RK-55 highlight the powerful motor, variable speed control, and quality construction. Customers find it performs well for throwing larger pieces of clay. Possible downsides are the higher price point and lack of included table. But overall most Shimpo owners say the wheels are high-performing, durable, and a good value.
Shimpo Wheel Prices
Shimpo offers pottery wheels at various price points to meet different needs and budgets.
Their most affordable model is the RK-Whisper, which starts at around $599 (source: http://www.pottery-on-the-wheel.com/pottery-wheel-for-sale.html). This lightweight wheel has a powerful 1/2 HP motor and is great for beginners.
In the mid-range, the Nidec Whisper model runs from $899-$1199 depending on size and features. This versatile wheel works well for intermediate to advanced potters.
At the top end, the VL-Whisper starts at around $1395. This heavy-duty wheel with advanced vibration damping is suited for professional ceramic artists and studios.
Shimpo’s specialty wheels like the Prodigy and Aspire models can cost over $2000. These feature programmable controllers and are designed for very high volume production.
Overall, Shimpo offers a range of high-quality wheels to fit most any budget. Their prices reflect the power, precision, and durability built into each model.
Shimpo vs. Other Brands
Shimpo pottery wheels are often compared to other popular brands like Brent and Skutt. Overall, Shimpo wheels are known for their smooth, quiet operation and reliability. According to most potters, Shimpo wheels feel very sturdy and solid while throwing. The DC motors provide consistent power and torque while throwing.
Compared to Brent wheels, Shimpo wheels tend to have a bit more plastic components but are quieter in operation. The Shimpo VL Whisper line is extremely quiet compared to most Brent models. Some potters prefer the feel and feedback of Brent wheels, but Shimpo models provide a very smooth throwing experience as well. Shimpo wheels also tend to be slightly less expensive than comparable Brent models.
Skutt wheels are known for high quality and innovative features. However, Shimpo wheels compete well with Skutt in terms of power, smoothness, and reliability. Some of the high-end Shimpo models offer similar features to Skutt wheels but at lower prices. For example, the Shimpo Aspire wheel has an adjustable spring-loaded splash pan similar to Skutt wheels.
Overall, Shimpo wheels offer excellent performance and durability at competitive prices compared to both Brent and Skutt models. Most potters agree they provide a very high-quality throwing experience.
Sources:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Pottery/comments/s3ikuj/recommendation_request_brent_or_shimpo_for_a/
https://jingjingceramics.com/blogs/journal/how-to-choose-the-right-pottery-wheel-for-beginners
Best Uses for Shimpo Wheels
Shimpo wheels are well-suited for throwing a variety of pottery pieces including bowls, plates, vases, cups, and more. The variable speed control allows you to slow the wheel down when throwing large pieces or speed it up for trimming and detailing. Many potters recommend Shimpo wheels for throwing functional ware like mugs and bowls that require symmetrical shapes and thin walls (Source).
The Shimpo RK-5T tabletop wheel is an excellent choice for beginners learning to center clay and throw basic forms. Its compact size takes up minimal space, yet it has enough power and torque for throwing medium-sized pieces up to 10 lbs (Source). Many pottery instructors use the versatile, affordable Shimpo RK-5T in classroom settings.
Heavier-duty Shimpo wheels like the Whisper and Aspire models accommodate large throws up to 25-30 lbs. Their powerful motors and quality construction allow throwing substantial pieces like large bowls, pitchers, and urns. Shimpo’s proprietary Whisper Technology also makes these wheels very quiet, ideal for studios and classrooms.
Pros and Cons
When looking at the pros and cons of Shimpo pottery wheels, there are several key factors to consider:
Pros:
- Smooth, quiet operation – Shimpo wheels are known for running very quietly and smoothly, which allows potters to focus on their work. The DC brushless motor provides consistent speed and torque (Source: https://potterycrafters.com/pottery-wheels-reviewed/).
- Sturdy build quality – Shimpo wheels are solidly constructed with metal chassis and quality components. They are built to last through years of heavy studio use (Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/Pottery/comments/10zzrux/shimpo_aspire_proscons/).
- Good value for money – While not the cheapest wheels available, Shimpo offers very competitive pricing for the features and reliability provided.
Cons:
- Smaller work surface on tabletop models – The tabletop Shimpo models like the Aspire have a 9″ work surface, which can feel cramped for larger projects (Source: https://thepotterywheel.com/table-top-pottery-wheel/).
- Not as powerful as larger wheels – The smaller tabletop wheels understandably don’t have as much power and torque as larger professional models.
- Limited speed range – Most Shimpo tabletop models have a fixed speed that can’t be adjusted, which reduces flexibility.
Conclusion
Based on their extensive lineup of pottery wheel models, premium features, excellent build quality, competitive pricing, and overwhelmingly positive customer feedback, Shimpo wheels are widely considered to be among the best potter’s wheels available today. While they may not be the absolute cheapest options, Shimpo wheels offer tremendous value by combining professional-grade performance and durability with approachable pricing for hobbyists. Their innovative features allow potters of all skill levels to throw with precision and ease. Overall, Shimpo pottery wheels live up to their reputation for being high-quality, user-friendly wheels that can support potters throughout their artistic journey.