please make a video about klins and how to decide which one to get as a beginner

Thank you so much for making this video! I am so glad I watched the entire video. I was about to spend a pretty good chunk of cash on a new wheel. What you said makes perfect sense. I have no reason to buy a wheel at this point. Instead, I took about a quarter of that money and enrolled in classes which start in a few weeks. Thanks for the reality check.

I totally agree with your hard talk. only after a couple of years of classes did I purchase my second hand Brent wheel, almost 30 years ago. Don't recall how old it was then but guess it's 35- 40 years old now. Paid maybe $250? It's still going strong although it's needed at least one good tune up and belt adjustment or replacement (don't recall which). Classes are a MUCH better initial investment than your own wheel, or investing in studio membership (although they may require you to have taken a couple of courses before you can join). You'll have access to more than a wheel - the benefit of expertise and inspiration from others. Most importantly, you will be taught how to work safely around clay because there are hazards. (Spoiler alert - safety lecture coming). It's critical to know you don't just need a space to work, you need a safe space. Breathing clay dust is NOT a good thing, it leads to a disease called silicosis, and clay dust that is disturbed, or moves into your forced air heating system or circulates through your home is unhealthy for you and anyone who lives there. I've always had tiny studio spaces but I moved to an acreage a few years ago and had the opportunity to repurpose a 20x20 shop & attached garage into my new studio. The first thing I did was get rid of the old furnace and replace it with radiant heat so I could keep myself and materials warm (Canadian here) while keeping particles from clay from being blown around and airborne. It's also important to clean areas where you work with clay - tables, floors and wheels with wet sponges and mops - brooms, brushes, vacuums etc stir up those particles and you'll be breathing them in. Be safe!

I just want to say that I adore you! Your personality, your views on life, the universe and everything!!! (Oh if I were 30 years younger !! ) Anyway, i found your channel a little bit ago and am watching my way thru everything you've done. Thankyou for doing what you do and why you do it. Funding for the arts is being taken away in so many places and your channel is a goldmine of info that's realistic and useful. You're so funny and sassy and salty, I sit watching you saying " mm hmm, that's right, you tell it just like it is sunshine ! ", keep it up sassy, salty potter , you're awesome, you got the right recipe !!, mama J

Apart from being so informative, you are hilarious! So enjoy your videos! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge but also making me laugh. :)

THANK YOU!!!! I am so grateful for this video!! I've been hand building for three years and ready to buy a wheel. I was completely overwhelmed with the choices and you have really helped me to make an informed decision!!!

By the way, I totally appreciate the time you put into this video. This is extremely helpful in deciding what kind of wheel to get. Thanks for sharing!

I feel like I want to hang out with this dude and make pots

Love your videos! They are exactly what I’ve been looking for! Now that I’ve been throwing for a bit it’s time to buy my own stuff. Appreciate your insight.

Stumbled upon this video as I am starting my ceramics journey. And am soooo glad I watched this entire video. You saved me $$, as I am one of those gung-ho newbies who may not last. So thank you for the hard talk. Please know that I listened and headed your advice (also because I’m lucky to have access to wheels in my local studio as well). 👍🏼

OMG... This video couldn't come in a handier time!! 😂 Love and share ur passion for clay xx Thanks!

THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO WOW. It’s so hard to find reviews for this type of stuff. You’re awesome

After watching this video, I bought the Clay Boss and I LOVE IT!!! Very affordable and easy to clean. Plus the speed variations are very smooth and it's quiet. Thank you for all the info!

Brents really are straight up beasts. Had six in the studio that I used to work in and they have been rocking 15+ years! Still going strong! Some of them have developed personalities over the years, but still super reliable!

I bought the Speedball Artista about a year ago, ~500 hours in it's still going great. The first one they sent was defective, just a bit off at first then turned into a push-start. To their credit, they shipped me a new one right away and made arrangements to pick up the old one. In the early days, I made tools out of old hacksaw blades and they just destroyed the aluminum wheelhead, glad you mentioned those are replaceable. Otherwise, it's portable, ~500 cheap, with a great splash pan.

Best video on the choice of wheel. I am taking pottery class after I stopped of a while. I am practicing as much as I can at a nearby studio and waiting to choose the right wheel for my home studio. I will keep searching and wait the the right fit. Thanks a lot for your insights.

I have the shimpo VL lite and it's been great for me, because of the size of my kiln I'm not often making abnormally large pieces, the only downside to this wheel is the torque when under pressure, when pulling a large cylinder you don't get the kind of low end torque that you get on a Brent or Pacifica and can struggle with thickness issues, took a bit to get used too after using Brent's for a while when I first learned how to throw, I found ten pounds is about the limit on this wheel while having adequate control. so like you said this wheel got me through my early stages and for my budget at the time but now I need something that's a bit more well rounded. So keep in mind if you buy the shimpo VL lite with intentions to work for yourself take Dante's and my advice here and save your money for something that produces more torque at low speeds

Thank you so much btw for the informative video on wheels and all your anecdotal stories

As soon as you mentioned the speedball clayboss I was like "Eyy he cares." I got mine used, has some squeel i need to fix but shes sturdy like you said

Amazing video! Great info. You saved me months ago from buying a wheel and just realizing the practical aspects like space and money! I now work with a studio close to home and get free studio time to learn before I buy anything. Of course we have Brent wheels and I'm in love lol although I can't get one right now. But as you say it's a poor crafter who blames their tools, so when I do eventually buy an affordable wheel I'll be ready for it.

Anyone else finding it impossible to find a used wheel? Sooo frustrating

I work at a studio where we have Brents. The splash pan is extremely easy to remove and clean. You don't really need to jimmy it at all. There are little tabs on the sides that you push down and it will just pull apart when you press them. They're also super quick and easy to put back together.

Epic video, thanks Donte! My wheel is an old Cowley which I brought (very) used. Nothing fancy but gets the job done.

Thanks! I just bought the Clay Boss wheel. I throw left-handed and changing the direction on the wheel is very easy. Also, the speed is fluid and easy to adjust

Thanks so much for this! I’ve almost bought that Shimpo Lite SO many times, but something kept stopping me. I’d love to save up for a Brent.

Thanks! Brent is want I’ve been using at the pottery class for a year, it’s great! This is real talk, it is a lot of investment if you really want to be a potter...that’s why I keep taking classes for now, but having a studio is one of my bucket list item lol probably will take years until I’m sure I have enough skills to fully make use of a private studio. Good thing is I do have the time and space, my job is perfect seven days on then seven days off so I have plenty of time...👍🏻 kiln is a bigger problem...I will have to get an electrician if I really want to get a standard kiln working.

Thank you! 2 years later it’s pretty hard to find an ie... not even sure they’re making them anymore? Gonna call Brent himself on Monday :) I do really like the idea of pulling up the wheel head of the Prodigy though to get it super clean... wow bless you - you talked about all the aspects and wheels I’ve been spinning about - not a good kind of spin. My guy’s family wanted to get me a wheel for Christmas and I couldn’t decide, so now my birthday’s coming they’re asking me for a decision already. Very lucky to get a gift like this, doubt I’d spend the money myself anytime soon, so I’m goin for the gold here... THANK YOU

8:27 Lololol marriage he said 🤣 “Now it sits in the corner staring at you demanding food and you don’t know what to do with it.” 😂

I appreciate how you are presenting this information. I have a Clay Boss and 100% agree with your assessment. Future dreams is a Brent. I prefer Brent's wheel head and splash pan over my Clay Boss.

OMG THANK YOU, LOVE YOUR EXPLANATIONS AND SENSE OF HUMOR

I use old Lockerbie Kickwheels. They are silent, extremely easy to clean and keep your blood moving a little bit. If you are patient you can get these wheels for almost nothing. People have had them in their garages since 1978 and are happy you showed up and hauled it away. You can get motors for them but I'm a leftie so that will never work. I have one outside under a tree that I can work at most of the year (Tucson). If you learn to use one of these wheels it will benefit you in many ways. Thanks for the great video : )

Thank you for taking the time to make this video!

"marriage all over again" lol. Thanks for this video. I have a kiln, but I've always hand built... finding the idea of throwing enticing. Knowing what wheel is good new, also gives me an idea on what to buy used. Thanks.

Most of the brands you named we don't have in Germany but I just bought a used wheel 2 weeks ago and I'm ecstatic! Thanks to your video I knew more or less what to look for when I bought it. Thank you without this video I would have been entirely lost!

I was researching wheels for weeks and this video was right on time. I wound up buying a Brent CXC on Black Friday. I learned on a Pacifica GT-400 and wanted a wheel I can grow into. My pottery teacher has had her CXC more than 20 years. Zero maintenance.

Am so happy Found you...... your cute , funny , and helpful with information Thankyou Donte

Sadness rebound. LOL!!! I SOOOOO missed this the first time I watched this video. Still learning from yours and a few other sites. I love your videos except this new thing of adding sounds. Other than that, I appreciate your explanations and background music. I too want a honda.

Needed this! Thank you. Will stay w/the studio near me.

So very helpful ☺️ 😊 Thank you for your help 🙏 I'm looking into purchasing a new wheel... I want a new wheel now! 😩 I was leaning towards the Shimpo as this is what we have at our art center. Your video redirected me to the Brent. I've had my hands in clay for 2 and a half years. Loving the challenge. Fortunately the art center has the glazing and fire that is necessary to complete my work. Hopefully I can find a distributor that will ship to Hawaii.. Aloha with much appreciation 💓 Dusty Dawn

On that footpedal trouble: get some electronics cleaner in a spray can, unplug the wheel, take the bottom off the pedal and spray the crap out of the sliding bit inside. Then work the foot pedal back and forth a lot until the cleaner dries, then give it overnight to dry completely. If the slider is just dirty, it should work a lot better. Also you can probably turn the motor strength up, there may be instructions inside the box where the power switch is found. Remove the cover and carefully adjust the "IR" wheel a little bit at a time (while the wheel's unplugged!) Plug it back in and test it.

Gosh! You’re talking about centering 50 pounds of clay. I’ve only just managed 7 and was already ecstatic about my talent. Lol.

Picked up some tools for my wife recently. Neighbor was selling the whole lot. Old Skutt KS 818 that needs a little TLC (replace some bricks) and a Clay Boss wheel...plus tons of tools and glazes/bats/shelves ... etc. $200 for the lot. Cost me a grand to get the dedicated 240v power but I think we did well.

Thank you forever ur channel is the first to reqch for any advice thank youu soo much 🙏 u provide a ton of info like no onee

Awesome info about potters wheels! I actually handbuild for now and just watched this out of curiosity. I'm mostly interested in getting a kiln. Do you have any plans to do a kiln comparison video? I'm wondering about the differences front facing and bottom loading kilns. You do big pieces and I'm wondering which kinds are easiest to load, unload, functionality, cone 10 and cost to run and buy

Thank you for your review. It was very helpful. I worked on a Brent for years. And I think you help me make up my mind for my home studio. Keep with the Honda 😂

I have been interested in ceramics for a very long time. Finally I am taking a class at the local community College. I could have bought a wheel and kiln but wanted to be certain I loved it enough to put the time in.

😂😂😂😂oh my I'm truly enjoying your commentary. Please consider coming to do an art show in glenwood springs co. I would love it sooo much. Just to see you talk. I love your videos.

I absolutely love your videos!!! You offer so much honest information and you are not boring to listen to. As a newbie, having your experience to follow is a real help as I acquire new equipment and learn new techniques. You're the bomb( drop the mic!)

As a newb, (about a year of consistent studio work and not apprenticeship but tutelage) I have found I can throw r or l, and there seem to be % wise a higher rate than that. When I do get my own wheel I think the ability to be switched will be an important function for me.

Husband: “love the Honda vs Stang comparison! Leave the Stangs for the unsecured bunch who wants to show off & end up in a ditch - that’s what’s gonna happen to your clay! Where as the Honda ... you know already :). Anyway was wondering what wheel to buy for my wife and fell on your video - it was a long one indeed, longer than a tv show episode & w/out commercials too ... BUT, very thorough, helpful and heaps of tips. Thank you very much!”

I tried 6 different

Thankyou Earth nation ceramics. I don't even need a new wheel, just watching this as I enjoyed the kiln one so much. And the marriage comment 😂😂..., it just sits in a corner and demands food and you don't know what to do with it ...😂. I have had a VL lite for about 4 years now, it's still going strong, I actually love it as it's my first wheel (or more likely because I haven't yet tried the Brent/speedball ones 😅)

I threw on a Brent in high school and LOVED it. I guess someone made a good investment back at the ol' alma mater.

I'm not about to buy a wheel anytime in the forseeable future due to space limitations and lack of conveniences (such as sink and running water). But this vid was very instructive on what to look for. Thanks.

Great video and info. Quick question related to the kiln part that you mentioned early on. My daughter is a senior in HS, loves doing ceramic artwork in pottery class and is doing pretty well at it. Don't know if she'll want to have her own studio down the road, but what are your thoughts typically when it comes to talking your pieces somewhere to be fired if you don't have your own kiln yet? I imagine a kiln is the last item many people get because of the investment, space, ventilation and dedicated power supply. It's something I've always wanted to do as well but never did. Just wondering so I can pass it on to her. Thank you!

Great video thank you! I just bought a used Pacifica GT-400 from Craig’s list $500, is it considered an intermediate wheel? Love these wheels the studio I go to has all Pacificas. I wanted more time to create and get better they are only open till 6, sometimes I get the bug to throw when things are quite in the evening. Next have my eye on a kiln on OfferUp

Hey Dante. What a great video, I'm an Aussie who has been making ceramics for 5-6 years on a rust bucket of a wheel. Only goodness knows what it was. Australia has little access to the brands you mentioned. I'm looking at a Venco Wheel. Have you had any experience with their product? Thanks 😊

Thanks for making a great point in the beginning of the video... True artists often make do with what they have. They often use scrap or older materials and can still make their art piece look good. Looking at the materials available to you not only makes you more resourceful but it also tends to allow you to be more creative! Thank you Donte for bringing this message to the surface...so many people out there still don't get it.

Got incredibly lucky and inherited a Brent Model B, I am still stunned.

- *watches Dante’s video* - - *Deletes Shimpo VL Lite from cart* - 😂

Loved your video ! Thank you for being honest. It was very helpful !

After registering to a ceramics class at my college I have been spending 15-20 hours a week at the school studio. Within five weeks I have realized how easy I have it, recycled clay ready to go when I need it!Glazes, wash and all kinds of colored slip ready at my disposal. 25 lbs clay bags for 5$. Wheels, basically everything I need. I go home after the studio closes wishing I could keep going into the wee hours of the night. I have been looking into wheels but I do not have the finances to buy more than that. Do you think it is best if I buy the wheel and get a membership at the local AMOCA ? Where I can pay to have my stuff fired?! I know it’s has only been a short amount of time but I swear I found my new passion. After a roller coaster of emotions and getting past centering and really seeing my progress in throwing I just can’t see myself stopping!!! I dream about ceramics lol I stay up at night thinking of how I want to glaze my pieces that are sitting at the studio just waiting for me! Help! #nerdingout

In bought a Brent CXC. It’s the Acura that Honda makes. It measures the weight and adjusts the torque accordingly. He is right, clean and take care of your wheel. It’s an important aspect to your studio! Brent!!!!

Brent CXC is now in my garage. It’s amazing wish I could have gotten it 17 years ago when I first started doing pottery

Love my Brent C I got on Clist about 10 years ago for $500 !!! yippee!!!

LoL love the directness !!

I been looking for about a year into used wheel but apparently no one is Houston wants to give their wheel away! I just bought the clay boss, I can’t wait for it to get here and play with it.

I needed this last year 😭

BTW, when would you consider someone an intermediate potter?

Hey donte, ive been taking pottery classes at my local college for about a year and a half and I'm considering buying a shimpo aspire to use at home and at my parents' house, since I live in a small apartment and don't have a set place to work. What is your opinion on tabletop wheels?

I don't mind the beginner Shimpo wheel's tray. I'm just a beginner, but I've worked on that one, as well as the extremely sturdy industrial Shimpo wheel. While it has all the problems you outline here, I definitely don't mind the tray. Standing beside it, all it takes to get it off is grabbing the front with one hand, the back with another, scooch it toward your stool, and the two halves are in each of your hands. Never came close to cutting myself. I also don't anticipate outgrowing it's max capacity for clay anytime soon either. My biggest issue is the responsiveness of the pedal.

I got a kickwheel for about $50. No splash pan, trying to make the space suitable before I start (*messily) throwing. Thanks for this video! Do any kickwheels have splash pans?

can you do a video on different 'styles' (for lack of a better term) of potters? clean thrower, dirty thrower (?) ect?

I have an old AMACO model 15 (1/3HP) wheel that my grandfather passed down to me. The wheel is pretty solid, but the speed control on it is awful. I think the motor may be starting to go. I have been saving up to upgrade. I have been looking at the Brent wheels. I was curious what you think about the IEX vs the Model B or C.

What do you think of table top wheels for beginners? Specifically the Speedball Artista.

I just bought my first wheel. I went with the Brent CXC, but a refurbished wheel. 30% off of refurbs, brother. Give them a call if you want. Bryce will get you right. I'm glad I happen to live in Indianapolis, home of AMACO Brent, though. That makes it extra easy.

I love your videos. What are your thoughts about purchasing a cheap ($138) wheel from Amazon just to practice on? I am a studio member but I can’t always get there every time I want to and really want a wheel at home but a good one is not in my budget

My favorite is the Lockerbie kick and motor wheels. They are incredibly reliable and will withstand anything.

Even the Shimpo is minimum $1.3k these days 😭😭😭 So hard to find any used wheels…

I impulse bought an ANCIENT brent model a on CL and am currently restoring it, hopefully by the time I get good at throwing I'll have it fixed and can use it especially well since I'll know all its quirks lol

Just got into pottery, bought a Shimpo and a Skut 1022 LOL...got a good deal on the Skut (brand new, never used for 50% from a friend that never wired up for it)...no regrets...the shimpo XL lite will work for what i want to do for a while while I learn. I dont need to even attempt 25 lbs of clay with my skills yet. might consider buying a claybsos as well. the way it is right now, the wife and i like to throw clay and it sucks having to wait for a turn at the wheel. Im not buying one of those cheap amazon wheels.

Great video! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I am super late to this party, but I just bought an antique Amaco (circa 1947, pre-Brent era) kick wheel with electeic assist that spins perfectly and I got it for a whopping $80. I think I'm in love.

Used wheels are very scarce where I live so I have been researching new wheels to buy. I've narrowed my search down to the Clay Boss from Clay King ($607 w/free shipping) and the Laguna Pacifica GT400 ($849 w/free shipping) from The Ceramic Shop. Both are 1\2 horsepower. I'm leaning towards the GT400 because that's what i learned on and i know how it handles but the Clay Boss's price is very tempting. Any reason you did not evaluate the GT400?

After watching this Video, I am torn between a Clay Boss Speedball OR the Skutt Prodigy. ???? Clay Boss seems to have everything with a better price, while the Skutt has a more known name(to me) and possibly a better continuous running motor. Suggestions better these two?

Thanks for the video. Found it useful. Just saw you're from Sacramento as well. Very cool. So when you referred to Alpha, you must be talking about Alpha Fired Arts.

I’m thinking of getting the Shimpo lite just to keep in my house, as my real stuff is in my sister’s barn an hour away. I would be able to carry it. And I don’t expect to throw anything close to 25 lbs.

I just purchased a Speedball Artista, i am getting back into pottery after a few years. I was used to throwing on an Amaco in school, but that wasnt in my budget. I did some research on the Speedball, and I read some good things and bad things. Do you think its a decent wheel for starting out? I dont plan on throwing anymore than like 10 lbs. I ordered the legs for it too. Im just worried it might wobble when I am trying to center.

This was really helpful, thank you :-)

This was really helpful. Thanks so much.

My fiance is about to graduate from college. She's been doing ceramics for about 6 years or more as an art major and artist, and I'm reeeeeeally liking that brent...I don't know much about ceramics, but I know that's the one they used at her college

Great advice, thank you!

A good option is a Community College. They probably have a non-credit class. But you can also sign up for the credit beginners class and then the advanced class. This is how I learned. I went to the community college for 8 years taking only ceramics.

Hi Donte! I really appreciate all your videos as a new potter! It looks like the Brent IE model is discontinued now (from what I can gather online), is there a different wheel that you would recommend? Thanks!

Out of all the wheel brands available today, do you think these are the best? Is that why you only included them in your comparison? What about Skutt? What about Soldnar? Have you had any experience with these brands? I learned on am and currently using a Brent, but someone recommended Soldnar to me the other day. I can’t find any comparisons of or reviews on it and was hoping you knew something.

What do you call a pottery thrower with a beard/mustache? A hairy potter...rrrrrrrrrrrr.

I like the Lockerbie wheels. Do you have an opinion on them?

I had a wheel like yours for years. Creative industries l believe. I have a Bailey XL now and I love it but it has the integrated pan

I learnt on a Shimpo not the lite model the Whisper just a step up. I then blindly went out and found a Clay Boss Speed Ball. After working on my Clay Boss for months when and used the Shimpo again and found that it was slow and did not like it as much anymore. And I find that I can move the Clay Boss around very easy and yes it can fit in the back seat of a vehicle. And yes the splash pan is weird, but you get use to it. The flat part lets you have more space for buckets and tools. And since I have always work with square buckets they sit right up to the flat part of the splash pan, so that is a good point.

I’m hoping to try turning pottery for the first time during quarantine since I have plenty of time. There are a couple of places in town with kilns- I figure I could pay to fire my work after turning it at home. I’m not looking to make a career out of this, just a hobby. Would it still be a waste of money to buy a $300 wheel on Amazon?