How Much Does A Brent C Wheel Weigh?

The Brent C pottery wheel is a popular medium-duty kick wheel designed for potters. It was created by Brent Model Engineering and has become a staple in many pottery studios. The Brent C strikes a balance between being durable enough for large pots while still being compact and affordable for home potters.

The Brent C is an electric pottery wheel with a classic design that has remained largely unchanged since its introduction in the 1970s. It features a cast iron wheel head and an induction motor enclosed in an aluminum housing. The wheel comes with a foot pedal that allows users to vary the spinning speed from 0 to 280 RPM.

Potters often choose the Brent C for throwing functional pots and vessels up to 25 pounds. Its powerful motor delivers smooth rotational force even at low speeds, which is ideal for centering large amounts of clay. The Brent C’s quality and simplicity has made it a popular choice in ceramics classes and studios for over 40 years.

Weight

The Brent C pottery wheel has a shipping weight of around 130 lbs or 59 kg according to the manufacturer. This heavy-duty construction allows the wheel to handle a significant amount of clay weight when throwing large vessels. Other sources cite the wheel as weighing approximately 108 pounds or 49 kg.

The sturdy steel frame and concrete flywheel result in a substantial overall weight that provides stability for potters while throwing. Despite the considerable heft, many users comment on the wheel’s smooth rotation and capability for finesse work in addition to large pieces.

Dimensions

The Brent C pottery wheel has the following key dimensions:

• The wheel head diameter is 20 inches.
• The overall width of the wheel is 26 3⁄4 inches.
• The total height is 19 3⁄4 inches.
• The wheel weighs approximately 121 lbs.

According to The Ceramic Shop, the Brent C wheel has dimensions of 21″ x 26 3/4″ x 19 3/4″. This provides a spacious 20 inch wheel head for throwing larger pieces.

Materials

The Brent C pottery wheel is constructed from high quality materials designed for optimal durability and performance. According to The Ceramic Shop (https://www.theceramicshop.com/product/1828/brent-c-pottery-wheel/), the wheel head is made of cast iron which provides stability during throwing. The cast iron wheel head also evenly distributes the centripetal force generated while throwing for smooth operation.

The Brent C features a 1/2 horsepower capacitor start motor encased in a steel housing according to Kymud Works (https://kymudworks.com/products/brent-c-pottery-wheel). This durable motor is designed to provide optimal and consistent torque through the full range of spinning speeds. The steel housing protects the motor from damage.

The wheel comes with a reinforced banded rubber wheel which provides good traction according to Clay King (https://www.clay-king.com/pottery_wheels/brent_pottery_wheels/brent_c_pottery_wheel.html). The rubber material gives just the right amount of stick and slip for throwing clay. The reinforced band provides added durability under heavy throwing pressure.

Design

The Brent C wheel features a rugged welded steel frame and a wide rectangular foot pedal for stability and control. The wheel head is cast iron with a polyurethane coating for smooth throwing. The splash pan is plastic for easy cleanup. The innovative modular connections make it easy to replace parts and upgrade components in the future.

According to The Ceramic Shop, “Brent wheels have earned their reputation for quality and durability from 40 years of experience. The Brent C wheel is heavy duty in construction and can handle the most aggressive throwing.”

Manufacturing Process

Brent C wheels are manufactured by A.R.T. Manufacturing Inc. in the United States. The company uses heavy cast iron and precision machined steel components for durability and smooth operation.

The wheel head, which holds the bat, is made from durable cast iron that is precisely machined to tight tolerances. According to A.R.T. Manufacturing, “No pour metal can equal the structural integrity of cast iron.” The surfaces are precision machined and hand-scraped to ensure a perfectly flat and smooth bat mounting surface.

The steel wheel shaft runs in high quality bronze bushings for smooth and quiet operation. The steelcomponents are machined in A.R.T.’s own machine shop to guarantee quality.

The electric motor is mounted to an adjustable steel motor mount which allows fine tuning of the belt tension. The motor pulley and wheel head pulley are carefully aligned for optimal power transmission.

The Brent C is assembled and tested thoroughly at the factory before shipping out. Each wheel comes with a 24 month manufacturer’s warranty.

Uses

The Brent C pottery wheel is a versatile wheel used by hobbyist potters as well as professionals and students in pottery studios, schools, and classes. It is designed to handle throwing a wide variety of forms from large vessels to detailed sculptural pieces. Some key uses of the Brent C wheel include:

Pottery Studios – The Brent C is a common wheel found in many professional pottery studios because of its power, precision, and durability during prolonged daily use. It can efficiently produce numerous pieces during long studio sessions.

Classes – Brent C wheels are frequently used for pottery lessons and classes. The standardized design allows teachers to easily assist students across multiple wheels. It has adjustable speed and momentum to support potters at all skill levels.

Universities – Ceramics programs at colleges and universities often use Brent C wheels in their classrooms and labs for their versatile performance across various throwing techniques and types of clay.

Hobbyists – Many home pottery studios rely on the tried and true Brent C model for its reputation of quality and reliability during personal crafting projects. Its smooth rotation supports throws from small to large.

Sculptors – The strong motor and dynamic speed control of the Brent C enable detailed sculpting requiring fine control as well as rapidly shaping large forms.

Overall, the Brent C wheel is an industry standard used by leading pottery programs and hobbyists alike due to its precision, high quality engineering, and ability to adapt to diverse throwing needs.

Comparisons

The Brent C wheel is often compared to other popular pottery wheels like the Shimpo VL Whisper wheel. According to one Reddit thread, the Brent C is known for its durability and quality construction: “Opinions- Brent C wheel vs. Shimpo VL.” When choosing between the Brent C and other wheels, factors like price, size, power, and noise level may also come into play.

The Brent C is generally on the affordable end for quality pottery wheels, though not the absolute cheapest. It is sturdier and heavier than some base models like the Speedball Artista, but also pricier. The motor is powerful enough for most uses, though higher-end wheels boast even stronger torque. It operates more quietly than most wheels too.

Overall, the Brent C hits a sweet spot between affordability, durability, power, and noise level that makes it a popular choice among hobbyist and professional ceramic artists alike.

History

The Brent C wheel was first designed and manufactured by Robert Brent in England in 1925. Brent wheels quickly gained popularity among potters for their durability, reliability and versatility. The Brent C became the most popular model due to its sturdy cast iron chassis, powerful motor and responsive foot pedal speed control.

According to historical sources, the Brent C wheel was manufactured in England until the 1970s when production moved overseas. In 1976, Brent’s US distributor, Amesco, acquired the rights to produce Brent wheels in the United States under the name Brent Model C. Since then, Amesco has continued producing the Brent C wheel in the US using the original 1925 designs and specifications.

Over its long history spanning nearly a century, the Brent C wheel has become an icon among potters and ceramists. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the excellence of Robert Brent’s original design. The Brent C remains one of the most widely used wheels among professional, amateur and student potters today.

Sources:
https://community.ceramicartsdaily.org/topic/20257-old-brent-pottery-wheel/
https://shop.amaco.com/model-c-brent-pottery-wheel-black/

Conclusion

In summary, the weight of a Brent C wheel is an important specification to consider when evaluating the wheel for various applications. Knowing the precise weight allows engineers and designers to appropriately match the wheel to the vehicle and use case. A heavier wheel may be preferred for certain performance applications where strength and durability are critical, while a lighter wheel enables improved fuel efficiency, handling, and acceleration. The weight also factors into shipping logistics, installation requirements, and serviceability. By understanding the different materials, manufacturing processes, and design elements that influence the wheel’s weight, users can select the optimal Brent C wheel model to suit their needs.

While seemingly just a number, the weight measurement provides key insights into the wheel’s overall construction, capabilities, and intended usage. As with any product, being aware of the weight ultimately empowers the end user to make the most informed choice for their unique situation and priorities.