With the help of this instruction, you will be able to make a potter's wheel with your own hands with adjustable rotation speed.
Making a potter's wheel with your own hands
Step 1. We prepare the necessary
So, let's begin. Here is a list of what I used:
10mm drill
A handful of self-tapping screws
Pedal from old sewing machine
old drill
Multiple terminals for wiring
Silicone sealant
Carriage bolt and nuts
Turntable (I bought mine for 240 rubles)
Extension
Step 2. Drilling a Hole
This is a very simple procedure as most 5 liter pails have a raised mark in the center. It is in this place that a 10 mm drill drill a hole. Then make a 15mm wire hole in the bottom quarter of the bucket.
1. Center
Step 3. Now let's work with a drill
It is at this stage that mistakes can be made. The first thing to do is to check whether the current and voltage in the two devices that will be the basis of our product match. The easiest way to check this is by reading the information on the product tags. Why is it so important? If your pedal is rated for a lower amperage, it will overheat, smoke, or even catch fire.
In my case, it works from 25 amps, and the drill - from 2. So there is nothing to worry about.
1. Look how shiny it is.
Step 4: Reworking the Plug
First, mark the two center wires with duct tape. We will connect these wires together later.
1. These two wires are connected inside
Cut off the plug that connected to the sewing machine. As a result, you should have a pedal in one hand and a plug in the other.
Pull all the wires through the hole you drilled on the side of the bucket.
Remember those two wires you marked? Twist them together and secure with the wiring terminal.
To prevent accidents, I handled the connection silicone sealant. Connect the remaining two wires to the waterproof extension socket.
Fix one wire on the copper contact, and the second on the silver one. But what to do with the green contact? In my case, it remained unused, since the device was not provided with grounding.
Warning:
Remember that I am not an electrician. The wiring will be placed inside the bucket, where moisture can get in, so it is better to take extra precautions: carefully insulate all splices and connect the ground. I wanted to connect a ground fault circuit breaker, but I wasn't sure if the device would work correctly with it. But I have an outlet with such a switch at home, and it is to it that I connect my potter's wheel.
Let's continue. It's time to test and make sure everything works correctly. Connect the pedal to the socket and the drill to the new plug. Press the drill trigger and gently press the pedal. If nothing happens, check all connections and try again.
Step 5. Making a Circle
It's time to take apart my turntable. The tray I used had a raised mark in the center.
Also, the center can be determined by the location of the rod in the lower part. Drill a hole in the turntable lid.
1. Don't lose this item.
Insert the carriage bolt into the hole so that its head is on top of the cover.
Turning the cover over, you will notice that there is a small gap between the bolt shaft and the surface, it is better to fill it with silicone sealant.
Now you will need two 6mm nuts. Thread one of these onto the bolt and tighten until the head of the bolt sinks slightly into the tray lid.
And then I ran into a problem: my old device for drilling did not have a reverse, which meant that when rotating the nut would loosen. There are several solutions to this problem.
1. use another device.
2. Use a bolt and nut with a left-hand thread.
3. figure out how to fix the nut.
I chose the third option. With the help of a chisel and a hammer, I deformed the first tightened nut a little, then tightened another one, deformed it again, and filled everything with silicone to be sure.
Step 6: Putting All the Parts Together
At this stage, you will have to be creative. You will need to center the drill and attach it to the bottom of the bucket at the right angle. I was lucky because the kit included a mounting bracket, which greatly simplified the installation. To align the tool with the 6mm hole I drilled at the beginning of the job, I used a wedge made from a 50x100mm piece of wood and some self-tapping screws.
1. Useful find.
Coat the bottom of the turntable with a fair amount of silicone and place it on top of the bucket so that the bolt hits the drill chuck exactly. Tighten the chuck.
Connect the drill to the pedal plug. Pull the trigger all the way and lock it in that position.
Step 7. It's time to have some fun
The device is ready and you can test it in action. After the silicone has dried, unplug the potter's wheel and spray it with water to check for leaks. If water gets inside, you need to seal the cracks with silicone.
Congratulations, you have made an excellent potter's wheel, now you can test it in action.
Test results.
I have been using my product for a while. I note that it works great, but I can give you some tips for upgrading:
1. It is better to provide a speed limiter in the pedal (it can be a thin bar placed under its cover). Without a limiter, the rotation speed will be too high, because of this, not very good pots are obtained, and sometimes the clay flies completely.
2. I sculpted a complex product, while my device worked continuously for 2 hours. After turning it off, I noticed that the drill got very hot. So now I put a few under the bucket wooden beams. This provides better air circulation and cooling.
3. You can use a more powerful tool as a basis. Mine works fine, but if you put a lot of clay on the wheel, you can hear that it is difficult for him to cope with the load.
Oct 8, 2017 abraxams
Every artist who is interested in pottery has ever thought about purchasing a potter's wheel. But as you know, the circle is not a cheap pleasure. Although a professional tool justifies the money invested in it, not every novice master can afford such a machine at the beginning of his creative path.
For those who are not looking for easy ways, we have prepared instructions on how to make a potter's wheel with your own hands.
In this article, we will talk about one of the most ancient ways that remains popular to this day: making a potter's mechanical wheel with your own hands. This option is ideal for those who are ready to pottery not only with their hands, but also with their feet. And the mechanical circle also has an obvious plus: it is not tied to the mains, and, accordingly, you can work with it anywhere without thinking about access to the outlet.
Let's start off by saying it's quite simple design, especially if you have ever worked with a tree, then it will not be difficult at all to assemble a circle with your own hands.
The basis for the foot potter's wheel will be a wooden bench (approximately 80 cm high). The potter's wheel should be at the level of the master's waist. Taking into account that working behind the circle implies loosening the machine to some extent, it will be necessary to additionally strengthen the legs of the structure with boards, placing them both along and across the structure in order to make the potter's wheel more stable.
To create a flywheel (the part due to which the circle itself will work), you will need thick boards made of heavy wood. You need to lay them on top of each other in several layers. It all depends on the thickness of the tree. Perhaps only two tiers will suffice. Lay the boards relative to each other at an angle of 90 degrees. In the middle of the flywheel, make a square hole, it is needed for the axis that will connect the flywheel and the working disk. The axle is a long square stick. To make it more reliable, you can insert an iron anchor inside. Pass the axle through the flywheel (the bottom edge of the anchor must rest against the board located at the bottom of the bench). If it is not possible to strengthen the axis with an anchor, simply insert metal pins at the bottom and top of the axis. On the potter's wheel, make the cross section of the axis round, and in the table, do not forget to cut a hole under it. And the final step: put the potter's wheel on top of the axle. That's all, the parts of the circle are interconnected, the structure is strengthened, which means that you coped with the task of "how to make a potter's wheel with your own hands"!
It remains to give only a few hints:
And one more thing: the heavier you make the flywheel, the longer your potter's wheel will rotate.
The potter's wheel that you make with your own hands will undoubtedly be a unique tool! But let's not dissemble, not one homemade machine does not compare in performance to a well-designed and well-made potter's wheel from Shimpo, or Junior. Which circle to use is up to you, of course. But we can definitely say that the work for
Watching a potter while making a product on a potter's wheel is a magical sight. This article will show you how to make a potter's wheel with your own hands and start creating things. If your goal as an artist is to create unique items, then this type of potter's wheel is perfect for you.
Just find a 360-degree rotating bucket, use a few items from home and you'll be done in 10 minutes. The project is inexpensive and works just as efficiently as any potter's wheel. With a little practice I can center, twist and turn this potter's wheel well. After correcting the oscillations, centering is now automatic thanks to the concentric circles on the potted plant tray.
The foot potter's wheel is inexpensive, lightweight, portable and takes up little space. What's great is that there's no soldering, no heavy machinery, and she works on her feet. The best part is it doesn't require electricity.
Here is a short compilation of all my videos after I learned how to throw mop buckets on a potter's wheel after 50 throws in 14 days.
Step 1: Collect materials
What you will need:
- Circular Mop Bucket
- Plastic pots or boxes to increase the height of the potter's wheel
- plastic pallet
- Strong adhesive such as polyurethane or a hot glue gun
- Level
Here is a video from the first day of assembly and a performance test of the pottery. Everything was strange and incomprehensible until I eliminated the hesitation.
Step 2: Glue it all together
Surprisingly, the lightweight materials worked well when I filled the bottom bucket with small stones. I placed the weights around the center hub and that somehow helped slow down the spin a lot as the circle was moving too fast and wobbly and things were getting out of control. Not all buckets for 360-degree mops are built the same way. Some mechanisms are better than others and run more smoothly.
Glue all the buckets and trays in the correct order. Use a level to make sure everything is running smoothly.
The design of this potter's wheel can be changed in many ways - it's up to your personal taste. You need to find buckets and pallets for flower pots, which will reach the height with which you feel most comfortable. If you need to redo your design, the hot glue can be easily removed by spraying some lysol alcohol and using pliers.
If the wheel of the circle is below your waist level, then you can use the lever and your body weight to lift the walls of the product. Thus, your body will be positioned more ergonomically and it will help to avoid back pain.
Step 3: Start spinning - examples of work
Show 4 more images
Initially I started with a hard piece of clay that was really hard to shape. Also, the higher the circle was, the more it swayed. I looked under the mop bucket and noticed that the pieces were twisted unevenly.
I removed the buckets, rearranged them, and placed small rocks and sand in the inner spinning bucket. After that, everything became more stable. The wobble is still there, especially at fast speeds - however your skills will improve and you will start enjoying the job very soon.
The second time I used pliable and prepared brown stoneware clay.
Step 4: Rolling Method
In Asia, there is a rolling method, when a clay product is started to be rolled right on the wheel. After seeing the method used by Korean and Japanese potters, I decided to try this path myself. Their method saves energy, water and clay waste becomes smaller.
Rolling method:
- Roll out or flatten a round tile on the wheel
- Attach thick walls to it.
- Slowly turn the wheel and start processing.
- Below is an example of how I made a lid for a cookie container and a cup on the wheel.
Step 5: Firing products
How to fire clay creations if you don't have access to a kiln?
Several inventors have successfully used the clay kiln to fire bricks. The rocket furnace consumes little fuel, but is capable of maintaining temperatures up to 650 degrees Celsius (or more).
Little smoke comes from it, and your clay products will become durable.
Watch the video on how you can make a rocket oven and use it as an oven. (Note, to prevent scalding of food, the inventors installed a baffle plate between the flames from the rocket oven at the bottom inside the cooking chamber).
Another option is the barrel oven, which can easily be used as a kiln. Materials include oven tray, metal barrel and a pipe. The kiln uses very little wood and reaches temperatures of 1,100 degrees Celsius—hot enough to fire the shard and glaze.
A third idea might be to use a collapsible metal camping BBQ stove or rocket oven in which you can burn small objects.
The fourth idea is a barrel-type oven using sawdust.
V Lately pottery is becoming popular again as it once was, but there is basically nowhere to try what it is, since there are not so many workshops.
So you have to learn on your own, since there is an Internet where you can watch videos and read on this topic.
But in order to try, you need a potter's wheel, preferably a kiln, hands and your own desire.
Buying a potter's wheel may not be for everyone. In fact, even budget circles have a cost of 20-30 thousand rubles. Based on this, it was decided to build a potter's wheel on their own.
It was here that it turned out to be a surprise that there is nothing special on the network on this topic, mostly scattered information and nothing concrete (here I mean electric potter's wheels, since there is enough information on foot circles).
So let's get started.
For a week, a view of a circle was sketched in SketchUp (a week because we thought through all the elements, if possible, thinking about maximum unification, which did not quite work out of course). A couple of times I had to redo the already finished version of the circle.
The frame is made from profile pipe 80x40, since this size fit quite well into the idea of structural rigidity. (welded construction)
The motor is suspended on a plate that moves along the slide, such an implementation serves to tension the belt that transmits rotation from the motor shaft pulley to the faceplate pulley. The engine pulley is machined.
Faceplate shaft bearing from VAZ-2109 (rear hub). The choice fell on him because he is the most suitable for our purposes. its device is such that when the clip is pressed, it centers itself. For him, a glass was machined and welded into the transverse beam. Driven shaft pulley factory, from washing machine. The shaft and nuts that tighten the bearing and fix the pulley were also machined. The V-ribbed belt, also from the washing machine. There were fears that the belt would fall off the driven pulley (its surface is flat), but they were not confirmed.
The faceplate is also machined from sheet stainless steel.
The table is made of chipboard and covered with paint.
Engine power 370W 1500 rpm. 
It is fed through the Vesper - 8100k frequency converter. The revolutions can be adjusted over a wide range - from zero to 110, and more is possible - everything changes in the converter settings.
The control is derived from the converter and represents the speed controller in the form of a variable resistor and a simple switch.
The design of the circle turned out to be as simple and convenient as possible. If desired, you can bring the speed control to the foot pedal - but here it’s up to someone to like it.
If a beginner potter needs a potter's wheel, then it must be taken into account that this expensive pleasure. Buying quality equipment is not cheap. However, you can build a potter's wheel from a washing machine yourself. To do this, you need to know how to design and manufacture it correctly.
How the potter's wheel works
- Initially, the potter's machine was rotated by the master working on it. He did this by regularly pressing the foot on the pedal. Such an organization of labor was inconvenient, because the potter had to perform two actions at the same time and was deprived of the opportunity to fully concentrate on work.
- Gradually, devices came into use in which work on electric traction was provided. In this case, the speed of the machine is supported automatically, and the master has the opportunity to fully concentrate on creating pottery.
The last option will be used when making a potter's wheel from an old washing machine.
What to cook
To make a potter's wheel with your own hands, you will need an old washing machine, the nodes from which can be used to create a potter's wheel. It is important that the washer used be of an activator type (for example,). In this case, the axis of rotation of the motor will be directed vertically. The potter's wheel to be installed will rotate while in a horizontal position.
In addition, you will need the following materials:
- piece of plywood right size which is resistant to moisture.
- The simplest board with a microcircuit, which will make it possible to switch the rotation speed of the potter's wheel.
- It is necessary to prepare varnish and paint that are resistant to moisture.
- White Spirit.
- Wheel of the required size for the design.
- You need a plastic vial from under the medicine.
- Electric switch.
- A roll of insulating tape.
- Silicone sealant is required to seal against leaks.
- In order to solder, tin and rosin will be needed.
- In order to connect the parts, you will need screws with nuts and self-tapping screws.
To carry out the work you need to stock up on such tools:
- soldering iron;
- multimeter;
- a hacksaw with small teeth;
- well-sharpened knife;
- felt-tip pen for making marks;
- wrenches and screwdrivers of different sizes;
- pliers;
- ruler.
When all of the above is collected, you can start making a potter's wheel.
Carrying out work
First, it is necessary to carry out in order to clarify the location of its main nodes. To free the shaft, it is necessary to disconnect the pulley and drive shaft. Some of the nodes that were used here will not be needed for the work of the potter's wheel. An example here is, for example, the timer at the Indesit washing machine. Under the washing tank in some models of machines there is a plastic disk that protects the motor from entering the input. It also needs to be removed.
When making a potter's wheel, it must be taken into account that, although there is a motor along with a drive mechanism, nevertheless, there is no base on which the potter's wheel will be attached to the machine.
This item should be small area pipe and a small disk perpendicular to it with holes for attaching a circle.
The easiest way to get the right part is to order its production by a professional turner. However, if there is the right equipment and the corresponding skills, the node for the machine can be made by yourself.
The already made part is cleaned of dirt and rust, and then primed and painted with waterproof paint. After that, it is put aside.
Now you will need to cut a circle of the right size for the machine from thick moisture-resistant plywood. It must be treated with white spirit, and then coated with waterproof varnish. It would be better if for this wood detail pre-impregnate. The composition for it can be prepared by making a mixture of white spirit and this varnish. Double processing will make the wooden disk more protected from moisture and dirt. It is necessary to drill holes in the disk that correspond to those that were on the previously manufactured part.
Now you need to attach these parts to each other with self-tapping screws.
It is important to consider that the working part of the circle is now being made, which will rotate at high speed. Therefore, it must be precisely centered in order for the machine to work efficiently.
The next step is to protect the shaft and motor of the machine from moisture and dirt. To do this, you need to use a pre-prepared plastic vial for medicines. Its upper part is cut off and put on the shaft. With the help of a nut, the plastic protection is securely fixed.
In the manufacture of the rotating part in this machine, two parts were used. However, it is permissible to perform this assembly in the form of one part, by making a circle from textolite.
Motor connection
Before you go directly, you need to figure out which wires leave the motor. If there is documentation for the washing machine, then this will not be difficult. However, if we are talking about the old one, the usual situation is when no circuit diagrams can no longer be found. In this case, you need to remember that the wires of the following types depart from the motor:
- Those that are connected to the brushes.
- attached to the stator winding.
- Perhaps the design of the engine provides that there are those that provide speed control.
The purpose of the wires can be set experimentally.
It is necessary to install a switch for the machine on the wire through which the Electric Energy for motor operation.
All protruding wires must be securely wrapped with electrical tape. If rubber tubes are available, they can be put on the free ends of the wires.
Now you need to mount and connect the board that controls the speed of rotation of the machine engine. It is not necessary to do it yourself, but you can order it in a workshop or buy it in a specialized store. It needs to be connected to a power wire and two wires that control the rotation of the motor.
It is important to make sure that the switch and the device for adjusting the speed of rotation of the motor of the machine after assembly are located with outer side washing machine.
Now you need to install the pulley and drive belt in place. Next, you need to connect the shaft with a working potter's wheel.
After the machine is assembled, the grooves through which water can seep into the motor are insulated with silicone sealant.
Now the potter's wheel is ready to go.
How to work with a potter's wheel
Adjusting the speed of the motor is important because the normal speed of the motor is incompatible with working on the potter's wheel. In the latter case, the rotation should be much slower.
Conclusion
On the basis of a washing machine, it is possible to assemble a potter's wheel on your own according to the existing scheme without special technical skills. At the same time, in terms of quality, it will be similar to expensive purchased machines.
In addition, from a used washing machine, you can also construct:
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- electric bike,
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- concrete mixer,
- lathe,
