If you’re thinking about buying a pottery wheel, you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. There are a lot of options out there, and it can be tough to know which one is right for you – especially if you’re just starting out.
Don’t worry, though. In this article, I’ll share 14 tips that will help you choose the perfect pottery wheel for your needs. I’ll also review four of the best pottery wheels for beginners and compare their features side-by-side. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know exactly which pottery wheel is right for you.
Here are top tips on buying your first pottery wheel….
Table of Contents
Tip 1) How Big is the Wheel and How Much do you like this?
The size of a pottery wheel is an important factor to consider if you don’t have a lot of extra space, which is the case for many people. Pottery wheels come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, some of https://lumbuy.com/best-pottery-wheel-for-beginners/ which are very compact and can be stored away easily, while others are larger and bulkier, making them more difficult to store.
Long-time potters usually have a designated area in their homes where they can work on their pottery. This space is usually in the garage, basement, or a spare room. But if you’re just starting out, it’s unlikely that you have something like this set up. You need to find a pottery wheel that fits into your lifestyle and space.
Tip 2) correct weight?
The weight of your pottery wheel is an important factor to consider, especially if you plan on moving it between pottery sessions. The portability of the pottery wheel is key here – can you easily move it around, slide it across the floor or lift it? Or is it so heavy that once it’s in place, it’s tough to budge?
Tip 3) Tabletop or Free-Standing Wheel?
Free-standing wheels have three legs that are designed to be positioned on the floor, with the potter sitting by the wheel and using their knees to control the spinning clay.
Some free-standing wheels will have legs that are adjustable in length, but you can also buy leg extenders or ‘booties’ to fit over the legs and raise the height of the wheel. This can give you some flexibility if you find the standard height uncomfortable.
A tabletop pottery wheel is just as its name describes, a pottery wheel that is designated to be placed upon a table. The wheels don’t have legs that are attached permanently and instead, have a base that sits flush with the table. There are rubber gaskets included to help keep the wheel in place when it’s being used so it doesn’t slide across the surface.
When purchasing a pottery wheel, be aware that some models are designed to be used on a tabletop. I’ve found that sometimes it’s not clear from the manufacturer or retailer whether or not a particular wheel is meant to be used in this way.
This is especially common with unbranded wheels that are very competitively priced. Checking this before you buy your wheel can save you time and money in the long run.
