How Many Watts Is The Shimpo Vl Lite?

ByScarlett Evans

Introducing the Shimpo VL Lite

The Shimpo VL Lite is a popular pottery wheel designed for potters of all levels. Shimpo markets it as a lightweight and portable wheel that still offers plenty of power and control for throwing. Some key features of the Shimpo VL Lite include:

  • A powerful yet quiet 100 watt DC motor
  • Variable speed foot pedal with speeds from 0-250 RPM
  • Lightweight but sturdy steel frame weighing around 27 lbs
  • 12″ wheel head that rotates clockwise
  • Splash pan and connection for a bat system
  • Optional table legs for converting into a tabletop wheel

Overall, the Shimpo VL Lite aims to strike a balance between portability and functionality. Its lightweight design makes it easy to transport and set up in any studio or classroom. But it still offers professional-level performance for throwing medium to large pieces. The VL Lite’s simplicity and versatility make it a popular introductory wheel as well as a secondary wheel for more advanced potters.

Watts and Pottery Wheels

Watts are a measure of power and indicate how much electrical energy a pottery wheel’s motor consumes. However, wattage alone does not determine a wheel’s power or performance capabilities.

Wheels with higher wattage motors tend to have more torque, which is a measure of rotational force. More torque allows a wheel to center heavier loads of clay and maintain a constant spinning speed when pressure is applied to the clay. However, watts don’t directly correlate with torque.https://community.ceramicartsdaily.org/topic/27311-motor-wattage/

Other factors like motor efficiency, gearing, and wheel construction also impact power and performance. So two wheels with the same wattage could have vastly different torque and capabilities. Overall, wattage alone provides limited insight into a wheel’s potential.https://www.reddit.com/r/Pottery/comments/lptjww/power_requirement_for_diy_pottery_wheel/

Shimpo VL Lite Specifications

The Shimpo VL Lite has the following key specifications according to the manufacturer:

These specifications provide details on the key features and capabilities of the Shimpo VL Lite wheel.

Motor Power

The Shimpo VL Lite features a 100-watt reversible DC motor. According to the product specifications from Shimpo Ceramics, the VL Lite has a “100-watt reversible motor” (Shimpo Ceramics). This means the motor itself outputs 100 watts of power. The motor uses direct current (DC) rather than alternating current (AC), making it more efficient and providing smooth, consistent power.

a potter using the shimpo vl lite wheel to throw a vase from clay.

Having a 100-watt motor means the Shimpo VL Lite has enough power for most general pottery needs. It can handle small to medium loads of clay and provide good torque for centering and throwing. The power is comparable to other wheels in this price range like the Shimpo Whisper, which also has a 100-watt motor (Krueger Pottery).

While 100 watts is not an extremely powerful motor, it strikes a good balance between power and affordability. For hobbyists and beginner to intermediate potters, the VL Lite motor should provide ample strength and reliability.

Power and Torque

The power of a pottery wheel is closely related to the torque it can produce. Torque is a measure of rotational force or “twisting” force. It refers to the wheel’s ability to spin and maintain momentum when pressing clay against the wheel head.

Torque is calculated using the formula:

Torque = Radius x Force

So the larger the wheel head radius, the more torque can be produced from the motor’s power output. More torque means the wheel can spin smoothly even when significant pressure is applied by the potter.

The power rating in watts relates directly to the torque. More watts equals greater torque for overcoming resistance while spinning. According to physics calculations, a standard pottery wheel needs around 12-15 Nm of torque. The Shimpo VL Lite’s powerful motor produces enough watts and torque to meet the demands of most pottery work.

Variable Speed

The Shimpo VL Lite has a variable speed motor that allows you to adjust the wheel head speed from 0-250 rpm (Clay King). This broad speed range gives you a lot of control and flexibility when throwing different types of clay. At lower speeds, the wheel provides more torque which is useful for centering heavy, stiff clay. At higher speeds, the wheel maintains momentum well which helps when throwing large pieces or trimming wet clay (Shimpo Ceramics).

The variable speed is controlled by a smooth, steady foot pedal that makes it easy to speed up or slow down the wheel with subtle changes in foot pressure. This allows you to precisely adjust the speed as needed while throwing (Krueger Pottery). Overall, the variable speed control gives you excellent control over the entire throwing process.

Watts Compared to Other Wheels

The Shimpo VL Lite has a 120 watt motor (Brent B Pottery Wheel, Black). This compares favorably to other popular pottery wheel models:

  • Brent B Potter’s Wheel: 1/2 hp (373 watts) (Brent B Potter’s Wheel)
  • Shimpo Aspire: 60 watts
  • Shimpo RK-5: 100 watts

So the Shimpo VL Lite sits in the mid-range in terms of power compared to other wheels. The Brent B is over 3 times as powerful, while the Aspire model is half the power.

Is the Shimpo VL Lite Powerful Enough?

When considering if the Shimpo VL Lite’s 150 watt motor provides enough power, it helps to examine the type of pottery one wants to create. The VL Lite provides sufficient power for most general pottery needs like throwing basic bowls, mugs, and vases up to 10 lbs of clay. However, for more demanding tasks like throwing very large pieces over 25 lbs, the VL Lite may not have the torque required (Ceramic Arts Daily Forums).

The VL Lite’s 150 watt motor generates around 1/3 HP, which puts it on the lower end of power compared to other wheels. Many other starter and intermediate wheels on the market offer 1/2 to 3/4 HP motors in the 200 to 600 watt range (Reddit). So while the VL Lite has ample strength for general use, those looking to regularly throw very large pieces may want to consider a model with a bit more power.

Overall, the Shimpo VL Lite provides sufficient torque and variable speed control for most hobbyists and intermediate potters. Only those regularly throwing very large volumes of clay would need to step up to a more powerful wheel.

Recommendations

Based on its 1/3 HP motor that provides 200 watts of power, the Shimpo VL Lite is best suited for beginner and intermediate potters working with small to medium amounts of clay (https://community.ceramicartsdaily.org/topic/21936-opinions-on-shimpo-vl-lite/). The variable speed control allows adjusting the torque as needed, but the lower power means large, very dense pieces may be challenging.

Many recommend the VL Lite for throwing smaller pieces up to 2-3 lbs, simple plates, bowls, mugs, and vases. It provides enough power for most hobbyists and home studios while being an affordable option. The lighter frame and smaller motor also make the VL Lite more portable and easier to move than heavier professional wheels.

Some potters suggest the VL Lite can handle larger pieces up to 5 lbs with the right technique, while heavier clay bodies may require centering in multiple stages. Overall, it offers sufficient power for most beginner to intermediate needs if you work within the wheel’s capabilities and adjust your throwing style accordingly (https://www.reddit.com/r/Pottery/comments/z2nmp7d/thoughts_on_shimpo_vllite/).

Conclusion

In summary, the Shimpo VL Lite is a lightweight yet powerful pottery wheel with an impressive 120 watt motor. This high-torque motor delivers 0.5 horsepower, which provides enough power for most pottery projects while maintaining a smooth and quiet operation. Though lower in watts than some professional-grade wheels, the VL Lite’s 120 watts strikes an ideal balance of power and portability for beginner and intermediate potters. The variable speed control allows speeds from 0 to 250 RPM to suit different needs and preferences. The VL Lite proves you don’t need an overly powerful motor to get satisfactory throwing results. This makes it an excellent value choice for home studios and classroom settings. With its durable steel chassis, smooth ball bearings, and responsive foot pedal, the Shimpo VL Lite has all the essential features you need to hone your skills at an affordable price point.

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