Pottery Pottery Basics

Major Pottery Wheel Brands

A Woman Potter Scuipting on a Wheel - Making a Cup
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There are several major brands of potter's wheels. Learn about each before buying such an important piece of equipment

  • 01 of 06

    Brent Pottery Wheels

    One example of an electric potter's wheel.

    The Spruce / Beth E Peterson

    Brent wheels were first manufactured in the United States by the company founded by Robert Brent. Robert Brent was a true pottery innovator. Dissatisfied with the wheels that were then on the market, Brent designed a wheel that had electronic speed controls and a DC motor with permanent magnets. It was the very first wheel that had either of these improvements. By the end of 1967, Brent pottery wheels were in full production. (By 1973, Robert Brent had also designed the kick wheel and had invented the first slab roller.)

    In 1978, the American Art Clay Company (AMACO) purchased the Brent pottery wheel company from Mr. Brent and took over manufacturing. Brent pottery wheels are often cited as "the world's most popular wheel."

  • 02 of 06

    Soldner Pottery Wheels

    Paul Soldner was one of studio pottery's premier leaders and innovators in the latter part of the twentieth century. When he was a student under Peter Voulkos, he began modifying the pottery equipment. This, in turn, led him to start the Soldner Pottery Equipment Company in 1955.

    Soldner pottery wheels have a patented type of foot pedal that is highly sensitive to pressure and very smooth in its operation. This controller costs about three times as much as an SCR controller (the ones most often used), which contributes to the higher cost of the Soldner wheels. Soldner wheels are also known for their exceptional ability to handle huge amounts of clay on the wheel head.

  • 03 of 06

    Creative Industries / Speedball Pottery Wheels

    Creative Industries began manufacturing pottery wheels in 1971, in Cajon, CA. In 2009 the company was squired by the Speedball Art Company of Statesville, NC.

    This line of wheels caters mainly to students, hobbyists, and those who want a very light, portable wheel. In the past, performance has been an issue with Creative Industry wheels, but recently the specifications have been upgraded.

  • 04 of 06

    Shimpo Pottery Wheels

    The Shimpo RK-Whisper pottery wheel

    Nidec-Shimpo America Corporation

    The Shimpo Industrial Company Ltd. began in 1952 in Kyoto, Japan. In 1974, Shimpo America Corporation was started in Illinois. Its proper name now is the Nidec-Shimpo America Corporation, it has wise-flung branches throughout the globe.

    Shimpo pottery wheels are best known for their very quiet operation, and potters also say they have been pleased with good torque strength and smoothness of operation.

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  • 05 of 06

    Pacifica, Axner, and Lockerbie Potter's Wheels

    The Lockerbie EK pottery wheel

    Laguna Clay Company

    Pacifica Potter's Wheels Company began in 1972 and was acquired by Laguna Clay Company in 1992. Laguna continues the earlier tradition of making and improving upon these electric wheels. They promise plenty of torque (power), easy repairs (when needed), and quiet, smooth operation.

    Axner Pottery Supply was founded in 1978 by working potter Howard Axner. In 2006, the company merged with Laguna Clay Company.

    The Lockerbie kick wheel first became available during the mid-1960s and can be found in many educational institutions. In 2007, Lockerbie Manufacturing Company merged with Laguna Clay Company, which has taken over the manufacturing and marketing of these wheels. Laguna also manufactures a lighter-duty kick wheel under its own name.

  • 06 of 06

    Skutt (Thomas Stuart) Potter's Wheels

    Skutt Ceramics, Inc. is probably best known for its electric kilns. In 2008, they acquired Thomas Stuart Pottery Wheels. The new line is called Skutt Pottery Wheels' Thomas Stuart Signature Series and strives to continue the reputation of these wheels for giving a long-lived, quality performance.

    The Skutt company itself began in 1953, with the father-son team of Ralph and Neil Skutt's production of the first multi-sided hobby kilns. The company continues to make ceramic and glass kilns, as well as their newer line of electric and kick wheels.