need help turning record player into a potters wheel..

[lunagardens]

I have been playing around with hand building clay pots and garden art (the green man mostly).
I recall from my childhood hearing about turning a record turntable into a decent potters wheel. Is there anyone out there who can direct me to some plans or how to's?
I have been "pinch potting" some lidded herb jars to sell at the farmers market with my dried herbs. Would like to expand to a wheel but there is just no way I can afford the investment for at least another year.
I hope someone can help me with a how to for the above..
Thank you for any help.

[Windy in Kansas]

Haven't a clue about electric record players, but the old wind up units had a knob that controlled the governor so that that the speed could easily be changed.

Never been around a potter's wheel. Is 33 1/3rd rpms too fast? Seems a foot switch from a tool store, a cover under the turntable and over the machine to deflect water, and a different turntable surface might be all that is needed--IF such a record player has enough fractional horsepower not to bog down.

Should be able to find a free standing portable record player at a garage sale for a trial run.

[Windy in Kansas]

Just out of curiosity, do right handed and left handed potters need the wheel turning in different directions?

Looked at wheels online and they tend to be variable speed--0 to about 220 rpms and about 1/3rd horsepower.

[paul]

I don't think a record player would have enough power. I've seen plans for using a treddle sewing machine, but I don't recall where. I'd like to try that some day.

homesteadpaul

[Ravenlost]

Originally Posted by Windy in Kansas

Just out of curiosity, do right handed and left handed potters need the wheel turning in different directions?

Yes.

I'm lefthanded and when I took pottery in college the right-handed instructor told me I was on my own. The college pottery studio had foot powered pottery wheels and I did it backwards from the right-handed students (I was the only left handed one in the class).

SIGH...I hated that class.

[PyroDon]

Its fairly easy to make a foot powered wheel
the the kicking wheel below can easily be made by filling a bicycle wheel with cement (the spokes provide re-enforcement )

[NorCalChicks]

Hi Lunagardens,
Like some of the others I think a record player lacks the power to do the intended task. However you did peak my interest, so I went and did a little research; I hope this link might be helpful for you!

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It...ers-Wheel.aspx

Have a Blessed Day!

[chickenista]

I have used both types of wheels, kick and electric powered.
I really prefer the kick wheel. And I agree that they would be easy to make.
Warning though.. switch legs from time to time. When I was forming lots of clay, my right leg got a lot bigger then my left.

[ronbre]

seems like you'd have to increase it's power load

[lunagardens]

Thanks guys. I had also found the one from mother earth news but there was an article I found about a potter who said he started making clay on his 16 speed record player as a wheel, which is what began is lifetime venture into clay.
I guess it wont hurt to to just fool around with the turntable just for kicks and giggles, with a few tweaks of course.
A portion of the money from my market sales will go towards an electric wheel.
If I get it to work, I will be sure to blog the how to for a mediocre stand in wheel.LOL.
I think I iwll start working on square pots for the herb containers so they can be placed on a shelf, conserving space....hmmm. Now I need to go get dirty!

[Kathleen in WI]

What a cool idea! I haven't played with clay since I was a kid. Never was very good at it. My mom and dad had bought me a wheel for Christmas I think. I really wanted to make something beautiful but it would always crumble. I got very frustrated and gave up.
To those of you with the talent, I admire you.