I also started with a Speedball Artista wheel 7 years ago. I have added other equipment but never upgraded to a different wheel . So far, I have thrown 3.14 tons clay on the Speedball. Recommend purchasing a foot pedal and using a stop block on the pedal so the wheel turns 1.5 times per second. I wish I had purchased a sheet of Vinyl Unbound Remnant flooring from Home Depot to protect the studio floor. Keep practicing.
Speedball Artista are not without problems. You will quickly learn how to adjust the belt pulley at the motor when you hear the rhythm of the belt rubbing. So far repairs have been simple and their great support will talk you through them if you need help.
In Australia a water drain in a back yard or at a business used to be called a gully trap. In Canada it may have a different name. Houses used to have one and so did places like shops and schools and restaurants but now they only have them at businesses. They don’t have them very much at a private house. Thanks for a great video. Helpful, practical, useful to me.
Not many videos like this around so thank you, plenty of well stocked people/studio's talk about this, but from their situation. This is where most people will actually be starting from, so this is far more fitting. Keep going with the videos, everyone starts off shaky and missing something, it's just many delete their starter videos. To further the options idea.... We have cheap shops here that sell carwash sponges for $2, they can be cut up into 10+ small sponges. We also got a super cheap pack of makeup sponges that work well. Another option for batts is tiles, they can be had cheap and in different sizes.
I agree, studio set-up videos made by experienced/long-time potters are not very attainable for the average person just starting out. And all great points on affordable options!
This was a really great video! I am new to pottery and same situation as you, I have taken two day-workshops and a series of 4 classes one on one and they have been great. But you really need more time in between to practice certain things over and over before an instructor can really help you move to the next step. Like someone else said most of these videos on TH-cam are of experienced potters setups and not really practical for someone who needs to basics until they’re ready for that. Thank you for making this and all your advice! (Sorry for any typos)
Really appreciate your in depth video. Been researching a lot and reading what I can but your video has been the most helpful by far. Your honest take on what works and what doesn’t is really fantastic. Thank you!
This is pretty much how I started my own pottery studio in my basement. Only difference was that I decided to spring for the shimpo VL-lite. When I bought mine, it was about $1300. I felt like it was better midrange wheel than the tabletop ones and I know I’ll be throwing for a long time.
On bats: I use strictly those Speedball plastic bats, and I’ve been a serious potter for 7-8 years. I started using a ‘bat mate’ or ‘sticky bat’ under them. No more wobbles and warps.
The bats I use are made from Marine Ply, they take a lot more punishment than mdf or other composite boards. Thanks for walk through, much to do setting up home studio, would love to but still worrying about doing it. Good luck
A year after your video. How are you doing? I am an older man who started up as a 30 something nontraditional student. I spent a lot of time intensely learning. Now I am well setup. I see needs to store fired pieces and thinking of selling and shipping. I feel for your situation on getting clay. Can you get any help from Duluth potters...just down the road?
I do have a question.. you mentioned you have a lot of dog hair around.. i do as well. I try not to let my dogs into the room, but i do have a lot on my clothes, they cling to everything.. i try to remove as much as i can, but i still find a bunch in my clay, do you have the same issue? How do you prevent dog hair from getting into your clay?
Dog hair in my studio is the bane of my existence! I feel your pain. I'll often put on a new shirt before working in my studio, or I guess I could just lint roll it but I'm too lazy for that. I also dry my rag towels and apron in the dryer for extra time (well after they're already dry) after washing them to pull out as much dog hair and lint as possible. Other than that I just make sure to wipe down my work surfaces with my cleaning sponge and water (not throwing water) often. I wish I had better solutions, but I hope this helps :)
Look at Vevor wheels. There are a lot of videos whith different potters trying them out. They have mini Pottery wheels for 50-55 Canadian dollar. 11” from 164 canadian dollar and 14” from 254 canadian dollars. I havn’t tried any my self but the people testning them say they are ok for the price.
Thanks for the video!! Its so nice to see someone in ontario do a video like this, now i know I can order from amaranth no problem! 😊
I also started with a Speedball Artista wheel 7 years ago. I have added other equipment but never upgraded to a different wheel . So far, I have thrown 3.14 tons clay on the Speedball. Recommend purchasing a foot pedal and using a stop block on the pedal so the wheel turns 1.5 times per second. I wish I had purchased a sheet of Vinyl Unbound Remnant flooring from Home Depot to protect the studio floor. Keep practicing.
Speedball Artista are not without problems. You will quickly learn how to adjust the belt pulley at the motor when you hear the rhythm of the belt rubbing. So far repairs have been simple and their great support will talk you through them if you need help.
This whole video, including the self-critical captions, is a mood. 😂
This video is super informative.
Thanks!
In Australia a water drain in a back yard or at a business used to be called a gully trap.
In Canada it may have a different name.
Houses used to have one and so did places like shops and schools and restaurants but now they only have them at businesses. They don’t have them very much at a private house.
Thanks for a great video.
Helpful, practical, useful to me.
Not many videos like this around so thank you, plenty of well stocked people/studio's talk about this, but from their situation.
This is where most people will actually be starting from, so this is far more fitting.
Keep going with the videos, everyone starts off shaky and missing something, it's just many delete their starter videos.
To further the options idea....
We have cheap shops here that sell carwash sponges for $2, they can be cut up into 10+ small sponges.
We also got a super cheap pack of makeup sponges that work well.
Another option for batts is tiles, they can be had cheap and in different sizes.
I agree, studio set-up videos made by experienced/long-time potters are not very attainable for the average person just starting out. And all great points on affordable options!
This was a really great video! I am new to pottery and same situation as you, I have taken two day-workshops and a series of 4 classes one on one and they have been great. But you really need more time in between to practice certain things over and over before an instructor can really help you move to the next step. Like someone else said most of these videos on TH-cam are of experienced potters setups and not really practical for someone who needs to basics until they’re ready for that. Thank you for making this and all your advice! (Sorry for any typos)
Really appreciate your in depth video. Been researching a lot and reading what I can but your video has been the most helpful by far. Your honest take on what works and what doesn’t is really fantastic. Thank you!
This is pretty much how I started my own pottery studio in my basement. Only difference was that I decided to spring for the shimpo VL-lite. When I bought mine, it was about $1300. I felt like it was better midrange wheel than the tabletop ones and I know I’ll be throwing for a long time.
On bats: I use strictly those Speedball plastic bats, and I’ve been a serious potter for 7-8 years. I started using a ‘bat mate’ or ‘sticky bat’ under them. No more wobbles and warps.
Thank you for sharing! It was super helpful. I'm going to save this video to reference as I set things up.
How about the kiln? Do you have your own or do you use firing services?
I fire at a local studio! Buying and installing a kiln at home is incredibly expensive and too big of a commitment for me LOL
The bats I use are made from Marine Ply, they take a lot more punishment than mdf or other composite boards. Thanks for walk through, much to do setting up home studio, would love to but still worrying about doing it. Good luck
That’s good to know, thanks😊 I know what you mean, it’s a daunting task but all worth it once you have a functional studio!
Really helpful video. Very happy that I’ve found your down to earth channel. Thank you.
That's so nice of you to say! :) Thank you
What happens to pet hair in pottery? Does it burn up in the kiln?
this is incredibly helpful!! thank you
I'm so glad! :)
Thanks for the information, very helpful. :)
👌 very informative, thanks 😊
Canadian creator! Hello. Great video!
A year after your video. How are you doing? I am an older man who started up as a 30 something nontraditional student. I spent a lot of time intensely learning. Now I am well setup. I see needs to store fired pieces and thinking of selling and shipping. I feel for your situation on getting clay. Can you get any help from Duluth potters...just down the road?
How do you fire? Where is the kiln?
She takes her work to a place that fires pottery. I do the same. They charge me by the pound.
I pay per shelf to fire at a local studio!
Its a great video and very useful! Thank you)
I'm so happy it helps!! :)
I do have a question.. you mentioned you have a lot of dog hair around.. i do as well. I try not to let my dogs into the room, but i do have a lot on my clothes, they cling to everything.. i try to remove as much as i can, but i still find a bunch in my clay, do you have the same issue? How do you prevent dog hair from getting into your clay?
Dog hair in my studio is the bane of my existence! I feel your pain. I'll often put on a new shirt before working in my studio, or I guess I could just lint roll it but I'm too lazy for that. I also dry my rag towels and apron in the dryer for extra time (well after they're already dry) after washing them to pull out as much dog hair and lint as possible. Other than that I just make sure to wipe down my work surfaces with my cleaning sponge and water (not throwing water) often. I wish I had better solutions, but I hope this helps :)
You are very sweet... thank you for this video! :)
❤ Beautiful 👌
Indian 🖐️
Even the cheapest pottery studio isn't cheap enough for me T__T
I guess i'll have to explore handbuilding then.
LOL ikr, I wish pottery was cheaper/easier and more accessible
You're really beautiful !!!!
bruh how is that a starter wheel??? my God
Well...I came here to see if I could add Pottery to my hobby list. That's not going to happen at $955 a wheel.
Look at Vevor wheels. There are a lot of videos whith different potters trying them out. They have mini Pottery wheels for 50-55 Canadian dollar. 11” from 164 canadian dollar and 14” from 254 canadian dollars. I havn’t tried any my self but the people testning them say they are ok for the price.
She said on a budget lol
Thanks for this video, extremely helpful!!! Got my list ready ✨🫂