anyone do pottery here?

[toddzilla]

i'm looking to get a wheel for my sister for xmax, and wanted some advice. i know they are expensive, i just want to know the minimum for getting something that doesn't suck.

I'm very mechanically inclined and could certainly build one if it were feasible to do so.

thnks

[corarose]

1. I use to make Porcelain and Ceramic figurines

Believe it or not I use to pour molds and I had a kiln and everything else.
Are you near Michigan?

[toddzilla]

2. st. louis

missouri..

[corarose]

3. Check this website out

http://www.bigceramicstore.com/Supplies/wheels/wheels.htm

[LastDemInIdaho]

4. I still hold the record for the tallest piece fired in High School

The biggest kiln was 65" and I calculated my pot to dry at 64 and 31/32"
and got it to fit without sanding it down.

[corarose]

5. Did you need help to lift that piece out of the kiln?

Did you glaze it?

[toddzilla]

6. hmm

what exactly is it that makes these things so expensive..?

i can build anything, but i need better pics or a schematic to figure out what goes where.

from what i see, a wheel is basically an eletric motor with a pulley system and a variable speed foot pedal. what is the base made out of?