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

A short clip showing how I assembled a variable speed drive unit for a potters wheel out of salvaged parts

Category:

Education

Tags:

• how to
• how to make
• DIY
• do it yourself
• pottery pottery wheel
• potter's wheel
• make pottery wheel
• pottery wheel
• home made
• salvage salvaged parts
• assemble salvaged parts
• wheel head
• potter's wheel head
• variable speed wheel
• salvage yard
• salvaged parts
• gear box
• zero max
• variable speed gear box
• single speed motor
• electric motor
• pottery making
• pottery throwing
• throw on potter's wheel
• construct
• build
• make
• fabricate

[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

[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...?

[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..

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

[binnygx160]

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

[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.

[AFGaskillJr]

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