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Pottery Wheel Maintenance

Caring for your Wheel

Caring for Your Pottery Wheel

Taking Care of Your Wheel

Wheel Maintenance

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<a href="https://ak9.picdn.net/shutterstock/videos/8622829/thumb/9.jpg"><img class="alignleft wp-image-18638" src="https://staging.ceramic.school/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/9-300x134.jpg" alt="" width="357" height="159" /></a>

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<h1>Introduction</h1>
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Pottery Wheel Maintenance is not the first thing that can cross your mind after buying your first wheel. When a potter first gets a wheel of their own it can be exciting and enlightening! It can be hard saving up for the wheel of your dreams and it is very rewarding when you can finally purchase your own wheel and take it home to start throwing. However,it is important to remember that pottery wheels require maintenance over time. Now that you have your own wheel it is important to remember to maintain and clean your wheel regularly for longevity. If you do not care for your wheel properly it can cause issues for your wheel and your own health. This article will cover how to care for your wheel to ensure that it will last for many years to come.

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<h2>Cleaning</h2>
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Cleaning your wheel regularly will ensure that both you and your wheel are maintaining a healthy studio. The first step involves carefully cleaning your wheel head with a sponge after you are done throwing for the day. It is easiest to clean up clay while it is still wet compared to waiting until it is bone dry. Also,it is hazardous to your health if you clean bone dry clay from a wheel since clay dust can get stirred up and inhaled into your lungs if you do not wear a proper respirator mask. When cleaning pay attention to the compact area underneath your wheel head. You should remember that it can be hard to replace a splash pan if there is caked up dry clay.

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Your foot pedal should not be forgotten when it comes to cleaning as well. Built up clay can cause a lack of control when using the pedal and pieces can get destroyed because of it. If you are having a hard time pressing down on the pedal,then you should inspect to see if there is built up clay on the pedal. Another thing to remember is that moist clay can cause rust and mold to form on metal parts and if clay has been on the wheel for a very long time it might even cause screws to seize up. For any more questions about cleaning your studio then you should read our articles on <a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/how-to-clean-your-studio/">How to Clean your Studio</a> and <a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/pottery-studio-safety/">20 Ways to Stay Safe in the Pottery Studio.</a>

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<h2>Safety Precautions</h2>
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Safety should be the main concern when dealing with electricity and water in the same area. Always remember to turn off and unplug your wheel when cleaning and do not use a hose to clean your wheel. A hose is unable to ensure that you do not get water inside a motor or on a circuit board. That is the fastest way to destroy a wheel. As long as you carefully clean your wheel down with a sponge it should prevent any water from getting into the motor or on a circuit board.

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If your wheel is making a strange noise it is best to take note of it,then turn it off,unplug it,and consult your manual or manufacturer for details on how to fix it. You can also take your wheel to a local supply shop for diagnosing the problem and fixing it for a reasonable price. Remember that wheels can last for a very long time if they are taken care of well and fixed as soon as an issue arises to prevent it from getting worse.

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<h2>Manuals and Maintenance</h2>
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Manuals are vital to helping you understand your wheel and can help you diagnose what might be wrong with your wheel when an issue arises. If you do not have a physical copy of your manual,then finding an online version and printing it out could be a good alternative. A local pottery shop might also be able to help with tuning up your wheel if something seems wrong or can help point you in the right direction. Don’t be afraid to do maintenance on your wheel since a well-cared wheel will work for you more in the long run.

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Remember if your foot pedal feels too stiff when you first start throwing,then it is important to know if you have an adjustable foot pedal. Consult your manual to check if it is adjustable and the steps on how to adjust it. When you aren’t sure then contacting the manufacturer could be a good way to find out. It is a good studio practice to regularly check on your cords,plugs,and attachment points for issues such as corrosion,cracks,snaps,or other noticeable issues. Checking regularly can prevent more serious issues from occurring overall.

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Inspecting your wheel includes inspecting the sound of your motor. Is it almost silent? That is a good sign. There are louder motors for stronger wheels,but when loud humming,chirping,scraping,or grinding noises being to be heard it might be a good idea to take it to get a tune-up. This helps ensure that there is not too much clay dust built up inside of the motor from a long period of use.

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Another thing to inspect is the wheel head. Is it level or unlevel? A wheel should always be level. What about the drive rings and belts? Are they in good condition or are they cracking,pitted,slipping or fraying? For any issues that seem serious,it is always a good idea to take note of it,document it if needed,turn off and unplug the wheel. This prevents any electricity running to the wheel if it is serious and either diagnose the problem and fix it yourself or take your wheel to be fixed by someone else.

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<h1>Conclusion</h1>
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In conclusion,cleaning and maintaining your wheel will help it last for potentially decades. Keeping a clean wheel will also help to keep your studio safe and productive. Always regularly check your wheel to make sure there are no issues and either fix the issue yourself by consulting your manual or take it to a local pottery shop that can fix it up for you. By staying informed and performing the necessary wheel maintenance,you will be able to keep your wheel running for many years to come.

Pottery Wheel Maintenance

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Pottery Wheel Maintenance

Pottery Wheel Maintenance

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