What Should I Look For In A Beginner Pottery Wheel?

Pottery wheels are circular rotating platforms used in the creation process for a range of ceramic wares, from plates and bowls to vases and sculptures. They enable potters to center and raise clay as it spins at various speeds, shaping it into symmetrical forms with ease. Pottery wheels make it easier to create uniform thicknesses and smoothly curved surfaces than hand building alone.

This article will focus specifically on key factors to consider when choosing a pottery wheel as a beginner. Having the right starter wheel can make learning the craft more enjoyable and help beginners develop foundational skills for working with clay on a rotating surface.

Table of Contents

Wheel Head Size

Standard wheel head sizes range from 9″ for small tabletop models to 14″ for larger wheels. Most beginners start with a 12″ wheel head.

Smaller 9″-10″ wheel heads are more portable and take up less space. However, they provide less room to center and throw larger pieces. Larger 14″ wheel heads allow more space but are heavier and pricier.

According to Seattle Pottery Supply, 12″ wheels strike the right balance for beginners. They are affordable, portable enough, and provide sufficient space to learn centering and throwing techniques.

Centering Mechanism

One of the key factors in choosing a beginner pottery wheel is the centering mechanism. Pottery wheels either have a solid shaft or a belt drive system. Solid shaft wheels have the motor directly connected to the wheel head, while belt driven wheels use a rubber belt to connect the motor to the wheel head.

In general, solid shaft wheels provide more torque and are easier for beginning potters to center clay on. The direct drive allows precise speed control and consistency while throwing. Belt driven wheels can sometimes have a little “give” in the belt which can make centering a little more difficult. However, belt driven wheels are often lighter and more portable. The belt also acts as a shock absorber and produces less vibration. For beginners, ease of centering is often the priority so many look for solid shaft wheels.

Speed Control

The speed control on a pottery wheel determines how fast the wheel head spins. There are a few common types of speed control:

Variable speed dial – Allows you to precisely control the wheel speed by turning a dial. Gives you complete control over the speed.
Foot pedal – Pressing the pedal harder increases the speed. Gives fine control but can be tiring on the foot.
Set speeds – Has buttons to switch between fixed speeds like slow, medium, fast. Less precise control.

Beginners often benefit from variable speed dials or foot pedals since they allow more control as you learn how fast to spin the clay. Fixed speeds can be frustrating when you want to fine tune the speed. Advanced potters may prefer foot pedals to keep their hands free while throwing.

Most quality wheels nowadays have variable speed controls. Basic wheels may rely on set speeds to reduce cost. Consider how much speed control you need as a beginner when shopping for your first wheel.

Source: https://www.soulceramics.com/pages/best-pottery-wheels

Wheel Head Material

The material of the pottery wheel’s wheel head is an important factor to consider for beginners. Common materials used for wheel heads include plastic, metal, wood, and composites like resin or fiberglass (Source).

Plastic wheel heads are lightweight and inexpensive but may not be as durable for heavy throwing. Metal wheel heads like aluminum alloy offer excellent durability and stability for centered throwing but can be more expensive. Wood provides good grip but requires more maintenance to keep in smooth throwing condition (Source).

Composite materials aim to balance affordability with durability. Beginners may want to avoid very small 6-8″ plastic wheels and opt for a medium 10-12″ aluminum or composite wheel that allows comfortable throwing without excessive wobbling.

Motor Power

When looking at pottery wheels for beginners, it’s important to consider the motor power, which is measured in wattage. Most beginner pottery wheels will range from 120 to 350 watts. According to How to choose the right pottery wheel for beginners, beginners should look for a wheel with at least 120 watts of power, but 200-350 watts is ideal.

More motor power translates to more torque and faster spinning speeds, which is useful when centering larger amounts of clay. As noted in Selecting a Potter’s Wheel, a 120 watt motor can typically center 25 lbs of clay, while a 350 watt motor can handle 50+ lbs. For most beginner needs, 200-350 watts will provide enough power and versatility to learn on without being overpowered.

Ultimately, opting for a more powerful motor, within reason, will provide room to grow skills without needing to upgrade wheels quickly. But a minimum of 120 watts is sufficient for basic learning and smaller projects.

Attachments

Many beginner pottery wheels come with built-in splash pans to catch water and clay scraps, as well as tool holders to keep tools within easy reach (Seattle Pottery Supply). Useful attachments for beginners include splash pans, tool holders, and bat pins according to The Crucible’s guide. Splash pans prevent messes while throwing, and tool holders keep tools nearby so beginners can focus on centering the clay rather than scrambling for tools. Bat pins hold bats (canvas or wood discs that clay sticks to) in place while throwing for stability.

Common beginner pottery wheel attachments include splash pans, tool holders, and bat pins according to Susan Ohanlon Pottery’s post for beginners. Having these basic attachments helps keep the wheel area tidy and tools organized as beginners learn to center clay and throw pots.

Price

Pottery wheels can range widely in price, but generally fall into the following categories:

Budget Options Under $300

Entry-level and budget pottery wheels typically cost less than $300. At this price point, expect more basic features, fewer speed options, and lower-powered motors. However, these can still be great choices for beginners looking to learn on an affordable wheel before investing more. Leading budget options include pottery wheels from brands like Vevor, Amaco Brent, and Nidec-Shimpo RK-1 (source).

Mid-Range $300-$600

Mid-range pottery wheels typically cost between $400 and $1000, offering more features and higher-quality materials. These wheels are ideal for those who want better performance and durability without paying top dollar. Expect more speed control, quieter operation, stronger motors and higher weight capacities. Leading mid-range options are wheels like Shimpo Aspire, Amaco Brent CXC, and Speedball Artista (source).

Higher End $600+

High-end pottery wheels start at around $600 and can go up to $2000 or more. These pro-grade wheels offer exceptional power, versatility, stability and control for experienced ceramic artists. Expect powerful motors, ultra smooth rotation, high weight capacities, and intuitive controls. Leading premium wheels include brands like Shimpo Whisper, Brent Model C, and Soldner Magic (source).

Brands

When looking for the best pottery wheel brands for beginners, a few trusted names stand out:

Shimpo is one of the most reputable and highest quality pottery wheel brands for beginners and professionals alike. Founded in Japan, Shimpo is known for making durable, smooth-running wheels that will last for many years. The Shimpo VL-Lite is an excellent all-around beginner wheel.

Speedball is another top brand for introductory pottery wheels. With a long history in the ceramic arts, Speedball offers budget-friendly options like the Artista and Clay Boss wheels that have just basic features needed for new potters. Speedball wheels may not last decades like Shimpo models, but provide solid quality for the price.

Other reputable beginner pottery wheel brands include Brent, Amaco Brent, and Laguna. Though not as prestigious as Shimpo, these companies offer quality entry-level and intermediate wheels at reasonable prices. With any major art supply brand, buying from an established name provides some reassurance versus going with a generic or unknown label.

Conclusion

When choosing a pottery wheel for beginners, it’s important to consider the size and power of the wheel head, the centering mechanism, speed control options, motor power, available attachments, price, and brand reputation. Larger wheel heads around 9-12 inches provide more space for larger projects. Look for quality ball bearings in the wheel head for smooth rotation. Variable speed options allow you to start slowly and increase speed as your skills progress. A 120V, 1/2 HP motor offers a good balance of power and affordability for beginners. Useful attachments like splash pans, risers, and extra bats add versatility. Expect to invest at least $300-400 for a decent beginner wheel, but recognize that more expensive models will be higher-quality and last longer. Well-known brands like Shimpo, Brent, and Skutt offer reliability. To recap, focus on finding a wheel with a smooth-spinning wheel head, variable speed control, sufficient power, and room to grow into more advanced projects.

Additional tips when selecting your first wheel are to try out models in person at a pottery supply store if possible. Consider watching tutorial videos to see wheels in action. Invest in a quality splash pan early on to keep your space clean. Start on a slower speed setting and work up as your skills improve. Allow enough space around the wheel for stretching your arms during throwing. An appropriate stool height helps with leverage and posture. Be patient in the beginning as centering clay takes practice. Proper wheel maintenance will keep it running smoothly for years. With some guidance on key features and a bit of experimentation, you’ll be able to select the ideal beginner pottery wheel to match your needs, space, and budget.