What Is The Difference Between Shimpo Whisper T And Rk3E?

Introducing Shimpo Whisper T and rk3e

The Shimpo brand has a long history of producing high-quality pottery wheels going back to the 1950s when it was founded as a small machine shop in Kyoto, Japan. Over the decades, the company evolved into a leading manufacturer of pottery equipment under the Shimpo name. In 1998, the company became part of Nidec and was rebranded as Nidec-Shimpo, though the Shimpo brand lived on for their pottery wheel products.

The rk brand entered the pottery wheel market more recently, emerging in the early 2000s as a competing brand also producing quiet, high-torque pottery wheels. While less storied than the Shimpo legacy, rk wheels have earned a reputation for quality and performance at a competitive price point.

Today, the Shimpo Whisper T and rk3e represent two of the latest and most popular pottery wheel models from these leading brands. Both are marketed as powerful yet quiet wheels suitable for professionals, studios, and educational settings.

Type of Pottery Wheels

The Shimpo Whisper T and rk3e are both electric pottery wheels made by Shimpo, a company known for high-quality ceramic equipment. However, they differ in that the Shimpo Whisper T is designed as a tabletop wheel, whereas the rk3e is a floor model wheel.

The compact Shimpo Whisper T has a solid steel frame and rubber feet, allowing it to sit securely on a table or countertop during use. In contrast, the heavier duty rk3e must be placed directly on the floor. It has a welded steel frame with adjustable leveling feet to ensure stability.

So in summary, the key difference is that the Shimpo Whisper T is made for tabletop use, while the rk3e is a freestanding floor model pottery wheel.

Size and Weight

The Shimpo Whisper T has more compact dimensions compared to the rk3e, measuring 24.5 x 20 x 12 inches and weighing 124 lbs (WHISPER T- SHIMPO ELECTRIC POTTERY WHEEL). In contrast, the rk3e has larger dimensions of 23.1 x 27.5 x 35.6 inches and weighs more at 176 lbs empty and 231 lbs fully loaded (SHIMPO Pottery Wheel).

The lighter weight and smaller footprint of the Whisper T makes it easier to move and transport. However, the rk3e’s larger size provides more workspace on the wheel head. So potters needing maximum stability and throwing capacity may prefer the heavier rk3e.

Motor Power

The Shimpo Whisper T and rk3e pottery wheels differ in their motor power specifications. According to a discussion on the Ceramic Arts Daily forum, the Shimpo Whisper T has a 120V direct drive motor (Ceramic Arts Daily). In comparison, the rk3e has a more powerful 220V 3/4 HP motor, as mentioned in a Reddit thread comparing the two wheels (Reddit).

The higher voltage 220V motor on the rk3e provides more torque and power. This can be beneficial for throwing larger pieces of clay or working with stiffer clay that requires more strength to shape on the wheel head. The 120V motor on the Whisper T may not have as much power for larger projects or dense clay types. However, the direct drive motor compensates by being extremely quiet in operation.

Speed Range

The Whisper T has a speed range of 58-286 rpm, while the RK-3E has a wider speed range of 30-300 rpm. According to Shimpo Ceramics, the Whisper T’s motor allows for “optimum speed under all load conditions” thanks to the broad speed range (SHIMPO Pottery Wheel). However, the RK-3E’s range is even wider, from a very slow 30 rpm to a fast 300 rpm. This gives potters, especially beginners, more flexibility to find the ideal speed for any type of work (Whisper-T or RK3E? : r/Pottery).

Wheel Head Size

The Whisper T has a 10″ wheel head, while the rk3e has a 12″ wheel head. This means the rk3e can accommodate larger clay pieces.

According to Shimpo, the maximum clay lump size the Whisper T can handle is 15 lbs. The rk3e, with its larger 12″ wheel head, can handle clay lumps up to 25 lbs.

The rk3e’s bigger wheel head gives more room to throw larger pieces. Potter’s who frequently make large vases, bowls, or platters would benefit from the rk3e’s additional 2 inches of wheel head size.

For small pieces like mugs or bowls, the Whisper T’s 10″ wheel head will be sufficient. But potter’s looking to throw very large pieces will be better served by the rk3e and its 12″ wheel head.

Noise Level

Noise level is an important consideration when choosing between the Shimpo Whisper T and rk3e pottery wheels. The Shimpo Whisper T is marketed as being extremely quiet in operation. According to one post on Reddit, the Shimpo Whisper T only marginally beats out the rk3e in noise levels, but not by much. The post states that the rk3e has a stronger motor and costs less than the Shimpo model. Another discussion on Ceramic Arts Daily compares the noise levels of the Shimpo Whisper T, rk3e, and other models like the Skutt Prodigy. The post states that the rk3e Whisper is very quiet, which is advantageous if you plan to move your wheel around for demonstrations. The quiet operation makes it better suited for teaching studios. Overall, while both wheels operate quietly, the Shimpo Whisper T seems to have a slight edge in terms of lower noise output.

Price

The Shimpo Whisper T tends to be more affordable than the rk3e. The Whisper T has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of around $1,599, but it can often be found for $100-300 less from various retailers. In comparison, the rk3e has an MSRP of $2,195. However, it’s also commonly discounted, usually selling for $1,800-2,000.

Here are some typical price ranges:

• Shimpo Whisper T: $1,300 – $1,600
• rk3e: $1,800 – $2,200

So while the rk3e is the more advanced wheel with more features, the Whisper T provides great value and quality at a significantly lower price point. The price difference of $500 or more between the models is something to strongly consider.

Warranty

The Shimpo Whisper T comes with a 5-year warranty that covers the motor and electronics against defects in materials and workmanship (https://www2.ceramics.nidec-shimpo.com/warranty/). The rk3e comes with a 3-year warranty on mechanical and electronic parts (https://www.reddit.com/r/Pottery/comments/16h01ve/whispert_or_rk3e/).

The longer 5-year warranty on the Shimpo Whisper T provides more coverage and peace of mind compared to the 3-year warranty on the rk3e. Shimpo’s warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship, while the rk3e warranty is more limited to mechanical and electronic parts only.

Summary and Recommendations

In summary, the main differences between the Shimpo Whisper T and RK3E pottery wheels are:

• The Whisper T is lighter, smaller and more portable at 57 lbs and 20″ width, while the RK3E is heavier at 75 lbs and 24″ width.
• The Whisper T operates more quietly at 60 decibels while the RK3E is slightly louder at 65 decibels.
• The RK3E has higher top speeds up to 300 rpm compared to 250 rpm for the Whisper T.
• The RK3E has a larger 12″ wheel head capacity versus 10″ for the Whisper T.
• The Whisper T is significantly less expensive with a price around $600 versus $1200 for the RK3E.

The RK3E would be the better choice for potters working with large amounts of clay and desiring maximum speed and power. Its larger size and workspace also provide more flexibility. However, the significantly lower price point of the Whisper T makes it an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate potters, or anyone prioritizing affordability and portability.

In general, the Whisper T offers great value and capability for most hobbyist potters, while the RK3E appeals to professionals and artists needing extra power and workspace capacity.