Thank you so much for your help, I would have never figured any of that on my own. I'll try to get the parts soon and I will be sure to let you know how it goes. Thank you :-)
hello Pavel; these gear drives are not so common to find used and expensive new; perhaps a 90v dc motor or gear motor and speed control would be easier. I wish you the best
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!
Good suggestion; speed controls work well on permanant magnet motors; and I have made a couople wheels using that method/config. But in this case i was just putting something together out of stuff I had on hand. I wish you well Bill
Hi Twinhit, All interesting and plausable comments those. As Paul Soldner replied to virtually all questions of a tecnical nature.. "Try it and see." And you are correct I was doing with what I had on hand. I also made a single spped Wheel from a gearhead motor; I've used it for years. It is a 1/8 HP motor turns at a stedy 80 RPM. I've thrown trimed and decorated well over 100,00 pots on that thing; I still use ir every day. I wish you well Bill
Nice job of engineering. I suspect that the rest of us won't be so lucky in finding a variable speed gearbox. I am getting the parts together to build a Soldner style wheel. I have a variable transformer but it isn't strong enough for my 1hp motor. Thanks for the inspiration.
Oh yes i understand now; thank you for that good idea... Most potter's learn to ignore those irregularities as odd as that sounds I wish you well and thank for you interest and suggestion
Ahhhh.... great job on the video and potter's wheel. I just purchased a Lockerbie kick wheel that incorporates a cement flywheel. VERY well made. However, it IS a manual wheel DOES Lockerbie does offer an electric motor kit for the wheel. However, it is an on/off direct drive, affair. What drew me to this video was an idea I had of using a Variable Speed Drill press head. This Zero Max sounds like a great alternative. Also, another way to control speed may be the Rheostat approach.
Hi Loetta, Thanks for your kind words. As I understand it the dimmer switch idea won't work on that motor. Actually the electric drill isn't a bad idea; but I think you'll need al least a 1/2' drill. I would still reduce the rpm w a countershaft. You will get full use of the drills torque. And rather than use the dial on the drill, rig some kind of foot pedal to depress the drills triger. I wish you well. I'll check out that webcite too. Bill
Hi Elizabeth, No this type og gear reducer runs in one direction only, no matter which direction the input shaft turns. So even IF you reversed the motor direction the output shaft turns in the same direction. I suppose you could frlop the whole thing upside down and drive a seperate shaft for the wheelhead that would reverse it; however i think it's easier to find a 90 volt DC motor or better a 90v DC gearhead motor (no more than 15/1 gear reduction on E-Bay. you may find one w a speed control
Brilliant. We are far to obsessed with spending money on new items in the developed world and it leads to a lot of wastage and debt. I enjoyed your video, thanks.
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
Hi there, I am wondering if I can turn the whole thing for the gemstone Faceting Machine which using salvaged components? Appreciate your advices! Thanks!
@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!!
@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
@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...?
I found a Zeromax E20! Just because I watched you put together a pottery wheel.Arrived today.Hope to use it on my Variable-speed worm harvester plans.I pd $49 bucks, but these are very expensive as you said. I w/like to make a copy of this vid to follow along for my project w/your permission.I have a circular/round base{wheelhead} to attach it to, but what did you use to connect the 2 shafts together(1/1hp motor & drive? Respectfully, Margo
What would you suggest to adjust the speed on something smaller like an 18V drill motor? I'm trying to find something as small and light as possible that is also preferably lever operated
Hi there! You have entirely inspired me to build my own wheel, but I was wondering if you could wire this to spin in reverse? That's the way I have learned and it would be most comfortable, I don't really know much about these sorts of things but it seems simple enough. Thank you for this video! :)
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
@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!
hi yedrow yes of course. you can find speed controls to match your motor on ebay; not the Soldner style though. you will likely not need a 1hp motor; might be cheeper ti find a 1/3hp or so even 1/4 hp as long as it's like 2amp should be all most potters need. I wish yo well w your project Bill
@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
Very nice job. I am trying to do something similar but what concerns me is how to keep all of the water usually used in pottery away from the electrical components since if not, there's a serious risk of electrocuting oneself.
I think it's a great set up. And good point, when I make mine I will use an old night stand. Make a swinging door build up silicon to give a negative slope away from the hole where the pottery disk sits. The over hang from the desk should help as a barrier from the water as well as bumping into things. Can do a thin layer with plaster of Paris on the inside to kind of contain the components if ever over heating and prevent fire spread. Thanks bud. Didn't dawn on me to think of any of this when I first watched haha
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.
Where on earth do you find salvage things like that variable speed reducer? Are there stores that specialize in that? I don't even know where to begin finding something like that. what kind of salvage yard?
Hi Twinhit, Yes it goes to neutral but only 'freewheels' in one direction I dont really understand what you're getting at with "..incorporate the speed box in line with the manual wheel's shaft" though explain?
The z max seems to answer that problem pretty well. - oh, the reason I am interested in the flywheel is it's ability to sustain that momentum, while using a smaller motor to control the speed. Not sure what the horsepower rating you used on your wheel, but I would imagine a flywheel would hold it's own with a less powerful wheel. - Other option would be to build a system like yours and leave the Lockerbie alone. - I've heard it said.... that there is something to be said about the kickwheels
Now.... Another idea might be to incorporate the speed box inline with the manual wheel's shaft. Instead of a strict direct motor, the Zmax controls the speed. Of course, it's a good idea to build a floor over the flywheel. While your idea is GREAT from a "Make-Do-With-Whatcha-Got" McGyver improvisational approach, I can surely see some great mechanical ideas come from your video that go beyond the potters wheel. I wonder if the zmax really does go to neutral.
@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..
continued: Hi Elizabeth find a motor w at least 2 amp rating; don't worry about HP unless you will throw really big. Also if you'll use a commercial wheel head be sure the output shaft of the gearmotor matches the bore of the wheel head. Unless you can use the speed control w just a knob you'll have to fabricate either a foot pedal or other lever for speed control. Let me know how it goes and if I can help Take care wish you well
hello diane I used an inverted plastic tub lid; I cut a slot to get it past the shaft under wheelhead then calked around that. Plus I don't let slip accumulate much
I salvaged mine years ago i suppose Google "ZeroMax"... Though i think it would be cheaper to use a 90v gear head motor w speed control; you can find them on Ebay I wish yu well
Hi Rustic35, I believe I show that .. sheets of tin cover the motor) perhaps in part 2?.. offspray I don't worry about I do not center fast as some do and larger pieces work slow; you can control a lot of that by wiping the wheel head or bat before the water gets to the edge.. then clean up right after done throwing
ok now I understand you want to drive the Lockerbie flywheel w the ZeroMax.. I think a DC motor w a speed control is a better option... but that's just me I wish you well Bill
This looks great! I’m wondering if you could tell me if you think I could use a variable speed sewing machine motor for the wheel. They sell on Amazon. Enduro electric servo sewing machine motor 550 watt. Thank you for your input!
hello Nancy, just noticed your question. From what I see about those motors it appears they have the power... 550 watts is about 3/4hp. Find the best deal. I saw a motor and speed control for like $40.00. It's deff worth a try. I wish you the best. Let me know how it workd out
Thanks. I also have a consew sewing machine clutch motor with small pulley on the shaft, however I am not sure how I could make that work for pottery wheel?!?
hello devs.... I found it at a salvage yard, so not sure but I beleive expensive new; I believe you can find a 90volt dc motor and speed control (no lower than 2Amps) on Ebay cheaper than on of these gear boxes. If you choose a "gearhead" choods one that is geared no lower than 15 to 1 w output of no lower than like 100 or so. you may find a 1/4 hp motor w a amp rating of 1.8 or so the amp is more important than hp. hope this helps
try Hobby Lobby I believe they can find you a small variable speed motor of the type used in model remote controlled cars and air plains they likely have miniature shafts gears pulleys sprockets belts chains and bearings too
@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
this was one of the best videos i've seen. you were to the point and did not waste time trying to do the video in one shot. can that motor be hooked up to a dimmer switch or a router foot switch? what would you think about using a varible speed drill as the motor? i have vsr drill that has a dial on the trigger to change the speed? perhaps in reverse would help elizexcell. check out greenpowerscience use table saw to cut wood circles. excelsior
Only thing about the rheostat approach is that as you cut the power from the motor, the motor, by reason, loses it's torque. Not the best situation for a potter's wheel. On the other hand, incorporating the electronic speed control in consist with the Zero Max may be something to think about. Dual speed controls.
Ok, just so I understand what you said, correctly. You think DC Motor + Z max + drive pully + Belt to driven pully on the Lockerbie shaft is the better option? - If so, that is what I was thinking when I saw your clip. Before this clip, which showcases the Zmax speed control box's capability I was limited to the idea of a motor driven belt system using a foot control, not unlike that used for sewing machines. Problem is those sewing machine foot controls are too small for the larger motor.
hello Mikayla I used an old bonded rubber coupling I had laying around but there are many different kinds a person can use: solid, U joint types also some other flexible types also made with rubber though different than this one
Thank you. You're video was very informational. I'm going to use a treadmill motor. I'm going to buy a Lockerbie wheel head. I'm trying to decide how I am going to set it up using the pulley system.
