How I Made a Variable Speed Potter's Wheel using Salvaged Components

[newearthclaypottery]

I dont know it was off when i found it but i believe they're used on conveyor belts.. but used are hard to find I believe

probly easier to go w variable speed 90vDC motor and speed controle... can find easily on Ebay



[binnygx160]

Im an looking for zero max gear box... what did it out of at the salvage yard?

[GUALLACOL]

I was wondering how did you install the motor shaft with the gear head shaft using a coupler?

[newearthclaypottery]

@GUALLACOL

well you can see the coupler in the part one video; it's a kinda rubber thing w set screws... old thing haven't seen on new

But you can buy all manner of couplers at hardware store

Otherwise i just aligned the shafts and bolted them dow

Does that answer your questin...?

[GUALLACOL]

@newearthclaypottery Thanks for the answer! The coupler that you used seemed kind of strange @ first and I was trying to figure out what kind of coupler you used. If you don't mind, can you tell me info on the zero max gear head?  What model, series, torque, etc. My brother and law has one and planning to give it to me for my project. Thanks again!!! By the way, great videos!

[qotsaandsoadfan1]

I suggest a used industrial sewing machine motor, can find them easily and even make use of the existing foot switch - potentiometer/variac for speed control.

[t003lit3]

I was wondering, and please don't make fun 'cause I don't know anything about this stuff. But, could I use a fan motor? Can it be any kind of motor thing that rotates? And hook up one of those fan speed control button thingies? x3

[newearthclaypottery]

@t003lit3

HI @t003lit3, If by fan motor you mean a ceiling fan then no it will not have enough power; if you doubt that, grab hold of one that's turned off and have a friend turn it on. You will see how weak it is. You can however use a 90volt dc motor with speed control or same with built in gear reducer (called a 'gearhead motor'). you can find them used on ebay; make sure the nmotor is at least 2amps and the gear ratio is no more than 15:1 and shaft speed aroud 100rpm. If I can help say..

[valllhalla]

Nice ! good job! i have only one advice : put a safty switch on the motor if you get tangled in the rotary disk. Be safe

[AFGaskillJr]

I made one from a Old Treadmill motor and control I found on the side of the street ,its not pretty but, it works ...

[newearthclaypottery]

@AFGaskillJr

yea I've seen those..they usually have a high rpm to work with; but sounds great...!

[AFGaskillJr]

@newearthclaypottery You could always use Smaller and Larger pulleys to control speed and Power.

[newearthclaypottery]

@AFGaskillJr sounds great; and it came with it's own speed control too, didn't it?

[TheKsdoyle]

What are the chances a salvage yard would have a variable gear box?

[newearthclaypottery]

@TheKsdoyle

Actually probably pretty slim, unfortunately

Probably do better buying a 90v DC motor and speed control

Surplus center out of Lincoln NE has them; also Ebay

I wish you well on your project

[newearthclaypottery]

Never tried that

Let me know if you do

[hypoallergeni]

You might be able to use a dimmer switch for the motor instead of that gear box. I am not sure how much low end torque you would get out of it though.

[credenza1]

I'm full of admiration for people with such diy skills.

[newearthclaypottery]

@credenza1 thanks credenza; I just like to tinker.. when i have the time

[newearthclaypottery]

yes, I never heard of such a thing; but found it one day while scouting my local salvage yard....oh yea... and the washing machine motor too.....

[gettingahandle]

That's a great little gear box

[griseldaq17]

do you know what model number of the gear box is?



[Guds777]

but at least put up link to the schematic for us to DIY. Thanks.

[newearthclaypottery]

@Guds777 sorry, I just sorta start in and piece things together as you can see from the video

[jeromeblas]

okay let me know if you change your mind

[jeromeblas]

i would like one can you build me one sale it on ebay i buy it thanks

[newearthclaypottery]

@jeromeblas

i don'tmake them to sell

this was just done to show you can use salvage to create a wheel

it's a 'one off' item not for sale right now

I'll tell you if I change my mind

thanks for your interest

[pandora25780]

awsome idea, potters wheels are so expensive, thank you for the instructions.

[newearthclaypottery]

@pandora25780

You're welcome

[SmartAlex999]

this video made me so happy! THANK YOU!

[newearthclaypottery]

@SmartAlex999

Hi Smart, Yea...? Did you attempt one or one of that other design on your favorites?

[SmartAlex999]

@newearthclaypottery

I am going to use your design for my potter's wheel experiment. I was really inspired by your nifty design! I think what I am going to try to do is hook up a 1/2HP, 115V, 1725RPM washing machine motor to a DC motor speed controller that fits 115V and up to 5amps so that I eliminate the really pricey zero-max and then follow the rest of your steps to assemble it. I don't know much about mechanics or electric work so hopefully I can figure it out with some research!!

[newearthclaypottery]

@SmartAlex999

Dear Smart....

Don't believe the dc speed control will work with your washing machine motor.

I suggest you search Ebay for a 90vDC motor or gearmotor; . A 2-3 amp motor should be enough. Don't be too concerned with HP rating, a 1/4 HP is plenty if it's a good size motor.

remember, You'll probably center around 80-90rpm... and throw 60rpm and below; better to go with lower speed and higher torque.

Wish you the best.

Bill

[tiersha1]

They have gear boxes with motors in one piece, wouldn't this work as well?

[ommuel]

how is the gearbox holding up? I'm looking for one now but am a bit wary of having the weight of the wheelhead, clay, etc. bearing down into the box- is the base of the shaft set in a sturdy bearing? Thanks! Great idea! love the low range for slip-decorating, incising etc

[newearthclaypottery]

@ommuel

It was used when I found it. so don't know exactly how it has worn.

It is holding up; I use it as an auxiliary wheel w up to maybe 30 lb. of clay on it the most.

I've never taken it apart, though I am curious how it does what it does.

i don't suppose it was made to get used like this; I just used it because I had it on had.. Consider starting with a used 90v DC gearmotor at least 1/8 HP and top speed not above like 120 can find these on ebay around $150 w there own speed control

[jmg1957]

nice.

[arebelondalose]

thats awsome !!!

[Srdragonis1977]

this is so cool tyvm i will be trying this myself

[benpie12]

how mutch was the gear box and what is it called

[newearthclaypottery]

I found mine at a salvage yard; same as the washing machine motor. Don't know what it came off of.

Thanks,

B

[LeifForrest1]

Did you have to pull the variable speed gear off of any equipment? and if so what type of equipment? I think your solution is elegant. I'm looking for a used gear box myself, but I'm not sure where to look. I might try a restaurant equipment repair shop.

[newearthclaypottery]

@LeifForrest1

Got mine at a salvage yard few years ago for $5.00...finally got round to usin' it.

They're expensive new....

[baileyslip]

can you show us how to wire a foot cont,as I have one for my wheel that I building and need to wire it to my moter.Thank you

[DracoFalcon]

You can purchase an on/off switch, the cord for the motor would plug into it then the switch plugs into the wall. about 30 bucks... Or just wire the hot wire through a light switch mount it foot height and use it

[iAmLoVeD123]

Thank you for the video, it's really cool!

[kennethdante]

First of all, I'd like to say WELL DONE SIR! I like the independent drive unit approach. The only thing I see that I would do different is to stabilize the final drive shaft so that lateral motion at the wheel head isn't transferred directly to your gearbox. And wow i'd like to see whats going on inside that gearbox. Quite the range, and smooth too! thanks for the video!

[Jgrand1958]

Very cool, if a gear box was not available, could you mount your wheel head directly on the motor and control the speed with a rheostat switch?