Build a low-tech pottery wheel from an antique treadle sewing machine (pedal). With DIY information in case you want to replicate something similar - or better versions.
WOW! That was inspiring. I love pottery. Besides a potters wheel, you could make a lot of useful things, spinning wheel, lathe, and I really like the salad spinner. Treadle bases have been used for so many boring things like end tables, just think of the conversation starter something useful would cause.
This is a really good tutorial. I have an old sewing machine stand in my workshop and it works, I am going to make this. Thank you. Liked and subscribed!
Yes the aim of the marble was to reduce friction. Unlike the drawing (sorry), the tube is bottomless, so it's wood at the end of the hole. I think it wouldn't be the best friction-wise, and that a marble is much better, with the single point of contact with the shaft ? I oiled the shaft with bike oil spray once, haven't since though and it keeps turning :)
I was thinking about wheat grinder that can be used also with the sewing machine ? The stone grinder arranged in a way that the top stone rotate while you put the grain and harvest flour ? The last part is funny but interesting though. Please do make an update on chicken coop.
Thank you ! Wheat grinder would be great ! It might need a better belt depending on the power needed, the simple rope as in the video will start slipping when there is too much resistance. About the chicken coop, there is a picture of it 5 years after construction at the end of the video, in case you didn't see. It's now been 8 years, still standing, with a bit more wear on the walls as I'm not using or maintaining it.
Thank you so much for this wonderful build and demo. I have two questions. Why do you make the little wheel for the belt out of cork? Is it just availability of the material for you or is there some advantage to the cork? What is the gauge of the screen that you use for screening the clay? Thanks again for your help.
Hi Freyda, thank you and sorry I didn't reply before ! The little wheels are in cork because I'm a bit of a cork geek and have plenty at home indeed :) but yes any wheel system will do. I use a 1.5mm screen in the video, so i get sand and other small particles in my clay but I prefer that way, less sticky and as far as I understand more resistant when drying and firing. For red clay i've used the "wet method" to get basically pure clay: mix thoroughly the soil with water in a pot/bucket, let it settle for 1-2 days and collect the top clay layer. Sand and stones settle faster and are in the bottom layers. Anything else let me know, I will pay attention to comments now :) thank you !
