I have been reviewing a lot of reviews on this wheel, and you are the first one to really take it apart and share some excellent things to be aware of. Thank you Simon! ❤
Hey Simon, thanks for posting this video. I've been wondering how these would perform for their low price. Have been thinking about getting back into the mud (on a budget) after a many-years-long hiatus. I've been watching your channel since my sophomore year in high school, where I learned to throw from TH-cam with your help! I am 28 now. Always loved how you say... "keep practicing," so I say to you... "keep posting!" Have a good weekend :)
I have made some pots on these wheels. They function. …with quirks ! Longevity is unknown to me at this point. Yes we keep practicing and posting haha.
Nice follow-up video to part 1 of this wheel review. Thank you for taking the time to properly test the wheel with a realistic amount of clay. It's always reassuring to see someone with demonstrated expertise use these wheels and produce good results. As you mentioned, the standard name brand wheel costs have soared in the past two years. I have a Shimpo Whisper and they are now upwards of $1500 or more, depending on where it is purchased. The same goes for Brent and Skutt wheels -- some models are over $2000. If I were just beginning, I'd certainly give one of these Chinese wheels a try. Happy holidays!
Thanks for your suggestion of sanding the wheel head…I, too, cut my finger on the rough wheel. I spent several days throwing and I had no real issues, just adjusting to a different wheel. And, wiring off was awkward with the high drip pan. I only managed cups, small bowls and vases. For the price, I think It’s a great travel wheel or demo wheel. I put an old tv tray table in front of the wheel for my water pot. Thanks for the bed riser info to raise the legs; great tip. Thank you again for your videos!
Thanks for this informative review. I’ve been watching your videos for nine years now Simon and I’m sending you a great big hug of gratitude! I’ve learned so much from you! With much love and big hugs🤗💕Merry Christmas!✨🎄✨
Hi Eddie. Hope you had a good Christmas. The wheel sizes I have vary somewhat. Some grind on the splash pan spigots where they join together.( had to melt them and push them down to get clearance!). The larger wheel head I had on this last test was about 13.75” wide. A smaller diameter would have been fine. Wheel head is too deep in the pan if you aren’t used to it, but can be worked around with time. The wheels are OK for someone like you or me but for someone who is not practical, they present some quality control issues ! …Simon, all the best for 2024 !
I bought one of these wheels and found it a little short too. Easy solution to fix the low height is to buy a length of 2 inch wooden dowel and cut your own leg inserts.
Thanks for the review. I can see where attaching to a wood throwing bench would help stabilize and provides space for tools and water container. Might be able to solve the tray height problem by attaching a 1" thick wood bat to the wheel and then add a plastic bat for throwing. I suspect if you are new to throwing you will find work-a-rounds and love the wheel as much as I love my Speedball Artista.
hot damn, I bought one of these and couldn't figure out what felt off when compared to the studio wheels. It's the depth of the wheel with that giant bedpan and it can really mess up a beginner. On the flip side, I found if I can center and pull on the Vevor, the wheels in class are way easier!
Hi Simon! I have the same wheel and a Shimpo RK from the 70’s. On my foot pedal I got rubber feet that are cup shaped from At Home and put the bottom screws through them. On mine the motor does bog but is a more consistent bogging rather than surging like yours does. Maybe I got lucky. Fortunately bat pins are inexpensive and easy to install so that’s the first thing I did. I use mine more for trimming than throwing but for the money, to get someone wheel time at home to keep practicing for under $200, it really fills a hole in the market and as a second wheel it’s quite useful even if you invest in a professional model later. I bought a second one to keep at an off grid property, hopefully it’s also a good one.
Thank you Simon. I want a pottery wheel but I can't afford a couple of thousand dollars for one. I'm just starting out and have been looking at reviews on the cheaper models. I want something cheaper but not something that will bog down and break after a couple of times. Thanks again!
The Basin Leaks! I bought the exact model last year to practice at home. The basin leaks terribly and the company would not accept a return, exchange or offer a new basin. They gave me a partial refund. I have to pack some paper towels under the seam and place 2 pans on floor to catch water.
Hi Eddie boy ! Yes a piece of pipe could be added for sure. ….but not everyone has that just lying around, so we improvise with what we got ! Hey,.. we are potters ! ?…and not daunted hehe. Merry Christmas :)
I have a shimpo T wheel, it has a two part wheel tray and its forever and a day leaking whilst in use, I am thinking of buying a new wheel with a one piece wheel tray, much easier...😊
Simon my friend, this is eddie again. this is the last question I have about the wheels I think Lol, you have used two sizes, A14 inch and a 11 inch. what works the best on handling?? if I was to get for a child or new person with no Experience, du to the splash pan size and depth. I'm un sure if we had ever talked in the past about the 3 wheels that I have, all are somewhat different but the splash pan is the same depth. by for now. eddie.
5 cheap wheels Simon? But you only have 2 hands! I have one of these I got for $100 online. I’m just starting to sell my pottery after many years of hobby and can’t justify $1500-$2000 for such a small business. There are quirks, but it can turn out mugs and vases and small pitchers. It’s a better wheel than I could make myself, and for very little cash. Really, mugs and small vases are what sell anyhow, and they fit efficiently in a kiln, and the rest is easy enough slab built. Maybe next year I’ll have sold enough to justify the buttery smooth wheel of my dreams. If you want to be profitable, this is a real way to keep costs down.
I think that the problems could be fixed with a little work if someone was good at doing a fixer upper Simon you know what I mean, were both engineers and we changed what we did in life. Mary X-mas.eddie
I have been reviewing a lot of reviews on this wheel, and you are the first one to really take it apart and share some excellent things to be aware of. Thank you Simon! ❤
Hey Simon, thanks for posting this video. I've been wondering how these would perform for their low price. Have been thinking about getting back into the mud (on a budget) after a many-years-long hiatus. I've been watching your channel since my sophomore year in high school, where I learned to throw from TH-cam with your help! I am 28 now. Always loved how you say... "keep practicing," so I say to you... "keep posting!" Have a good weekend :)
I have made some pots on these wheels. They function. …with quirks ! Longevity is unknown to me at this point. Yes we keep practicing and posting haha.
Nice follow-up video to part 1 of this wheel review. Thank you for taking the time to properly test the wheel with a realistic amount of clay. It's always reassuring to see someone with demonstrated expertise use these wheels and produce good results. As you mentioned, the standard name brand wheel costs have soared in the past two years. I have a Shimpo Whisper and they are now upwards of $1500 or more, depending on where it is purchased. The same goes for Brent and Skutt wheels -- some models are over $2000. If I were just beginning, I'd certainly give one of these Chinese wheels a try. Happy holidays!
Thanks for your suggestion of sanding the wheel head…I, too, cut my finger on the rough wheel. I spent several days throwing and I had no real issues, just adjusting to a different wheel. And, wiring off was awkward with the high drip pan. I only managed cups, small bowls and vases. For the price, I think It’s a great travel wheel or demo wheel. I put an old tv tray table in front of the wheel for my water pot. Thanks for the bed riser info to raise the legs; great tip. Thank you again for your videos!
Thanks for this informative review. I’ve been watching your videos for nine years now Simon and I’m sending you a great big hug of gratitude! I’ve learned so much from you! With much love and big hugs🤗💕Merry Christmas!✨🎄✨
Hi Eddie. Hope you had a good Christmas. The wheel sizes I have vary somewhat. Some grind on the splash pan spigots where they join together.( had to melt them and push them down to get clearance!). The larger wheel head I had on this last test was about 13.75” wide. A smaller diameter would have been fine. Wheel head is too deep in the pan if you aren’t used to it, but can be worked around with time. The wheels are OK for someone like you or me but for someone who is not practical, they present some quality control issues ! …Simon, all the best for 2024 !
I bought one of these wheels and found it a little short too.
Easy solution to fix the low height is to buy a length of 2 inch wooden dowel and cut your own leg inserts.
Yes I agree, if you can customize the wheel. Good bang for the buck. Modify it as you need.Keep practicing and thanks for your input.
Thanks for the review. I can see where attaching to a wood throwing bench would help stabilize and provides space for tools and water container. Might be able to solve the tray height problem by attaching a 1" thick wood bat to the wheel and then add a plastic bat for throwing. I suspect if you are new to throwing you will find work-a-rounds and love the wheel as much as I love my Speedball Artista.
Simon have you taken the wheel head off the Vevor to see if you can add a spacer to the drive shaft?
hot damn, I bought one of these and couldn't figure out what felt off when compared to the studio wheels. It's the depth of the wheel with that giant bedpan and it can really mess up a beginner. On the flip side, I found if I can center and pull on the Vevor, the wheels in class are way easier!
You must not be very good
Hi Simon! I have the same wheel and a Shimpo RK from the 70’s. On my foot pedal I got rubber feet that are cup shaped from At Home and put the bottom screws through them. On mine the motor does bog but is a more consistent bogging rather than surging like yours does. Maybe I got lucky. Fortunately bat pins are inexpensive and easy to install so that’s the first thing I did. I use mine more for trimming than throwing but for the money, to get someone wheel time at home to keep practicing for under $200, it really fills a hole in the market and as a second wheel it’s quite useful even if you invest in a professional model later. I bought a second one to keep at an off grid property, hopefully it’s also a good one.
I agree with you, for the money get one even if you have to customize somewhat to get it running as you want.
Thank you Simon. I want a pottery wheel but I can't afford a couple of thousand dollars for one. I'm just starting out and have been looking at reviews on the cheaper models. I want something cheaper but not something that will bog down and break after a couple of times.
Thanks again!
Yes well, consider one of these, for the money even if they break, ….take a risk I would. But buy with eyes wide open for sure :)
Thanks for ruling this one out for us
The Basin Leaks! I bought the exact model last year to practice at home. The basin leaks terribly and the company would not accept a return, exchange or offer a new basin. They gave me a partial refund. I have to pack some paper towels under the seam and place 2 pans on floor to catch water.
Simon I do think that a piece of pipe could be added to raise the length and length so you do not need the wood blocks. think about it. eddie.
Hi Eddie boy ! Yes a piece of pipe could be added for sure. ….but not everyone has that just lying around, so we improvise with what we got ! Hey,.. we are potters ! ?…and not daunted hehe. Merry Christmas :)
Leach treadle is the best all round! 😊
Hi Simon..could you glue a disc of some kind of material on the disc of the wheel itself to raise it by an inch do you think?
I have a shimpo T wheel, it has a two part wheel tray and its forever and a day leaking whilst in use, I am thinking of buying a new wheel with a one piece wheel tray, much easier...😊
Simon my friend, this is eddie again. this is the last question I have about the wheels I think Lol, you have used two sizes, A14 inch and a 11 inch. what works the best on handling?? if I was to get for a child or new person with no Experience, du to the splash pan size and depth. I'm un sure if we had ever talked in the past about the 3 wheels that I have, all are somewhat different but the splash pan is the same depth. by for now. eddie.
Good to know! I would buy this wheel because its cheap
Do you still have the crunched wheel? I might be interested in it.
Could you please show how you modified the cogs in the foot pedal.
Yes please !
What about using for trimming hand built work?
Or for glazing?
5 cheap wheels Simon? But you only have 2 hands! I have one of these I got for $100 online. I’m just starting to sell my pottery after many years of hobby and can’t justify $1500-$2000 for such a small business. There are quirks, but it can turn out mugs and vases and small pitchers. It’s a better wheel than I could make myself, and for very little cash. Really, mugs and small vases are what sell anyhow, and they fit efficiently in a kiln, and the rest is easy enough slab built. Maybe next year I’ll have sold enough to justify the buttery smooth wheel of my dreams. If you want to be profitable, this is a real way to keep costs down.
Vevor, Aspire, Artista?
I think that the problems could be fixed with a little work if someone was good at doing a fixer upper Simon you know what I mean, were both engineers and we changed what we did in life. Mary X-mas.eddie
EVER TIME YOU PUT PRESURE THERE SOMETHING RUBBING AGAINST THE WHEEL IT NOT A BELT PROBLEM REMOVE THE WHEEL FROM THE MOTOR SHALF AND SEE WHAT RUBBING
"but I am bound Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears Do scald like molten lead". Maybe better to switch to another wheel.
I'm impressed! You actually got the vase thrown without burning up the motor.
You managed to make an awful nice pot, even if the wheel has problems.