A refurbished pottery kiln can give you access to professional equipment without paying full new-kiln prices. But there is an important catch. “Refurbished” doesn’t mean the same thing from every seller. One seller may have cleaned the kiln and replaced a few parts. Another may have replaced the elements, tested the controller, inspected the wiring, […]
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A used slab roller can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars when you’re building a pottery studio. That makes the secondhand market worth checking before you buy a new pottery slab roller. But slab rollers are heavy machines, and the wrong purchase can create expensive transportation, repair, and storage problems. The good news […]
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Pottery wheel torque matters when you center larger amounts of clay, throw taller forms, or want consistent control at slower speeds. Here is what to look for before buying.
Buying a pottery wheel is only the beginning. Sooner or later, you may hear another term thrown around: pottery wheel bat system. For beginners, it can sound like another piece of equipment you absolutely have to buy. Fortunately, that is not the case. A bat system can make pottery throwing much easier, especially when you […]
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Loading a pottery kiln looks simple until you lose a piece because something was packed too tightly, placed too close to the wall, or stacked without enough room for heat to move. The good news is that proper kiln loading does not require complicated equipment or years of experience. Instead, a few consistent habits can […]
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Making a beautiful mug or bowl is only half the job. If you plan to eat or drink from it, you also need to know whether the finished pottery is food safe. That depends on more than choosing a glaze labeled “food safe.” The clay body, firing temperature, glaze chemistry, surface condition, and final firing […]
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Before you buy a pottery kiln for your home studio, check the electrical requirements first. A kiln may fit perfectly in your garage or studio, yet still require a new circuit, different outlet, or electrical upgrade before you can safely fire. The three numbers to understand are voltage, amperage and circuit requirements. For smaller kilns, […]
Pottery wheel speed settings change at every stage of throwing, not just once at the start. Centering calls for your fastest speed, usually 200 to 300 RPM. Shaping and finishing call for your slowest, often down around 30 to 40 RPM. Knowing which speed fits which stage makes the whole process noticeably easier. This matters […]
The Skutt KM-614 runs on 120V power, but it isn’t quite as simple as plugging into any standard wall outlet. Most sources agree it needs a dedicated 20-amp outlet. Specifically, that’s a NEMA 5-20 type, not the common 15-amp outlet found in most rooms. This is still far simpler than the 240V setup a larger […]
The Speedball Artista handles real beginner and mid-level work well. Its 25-pound centering capacity does set a real limit, though. A 1/3 HP motor and 11-inch wheel head cover mugs, bowls, and most everyday studio pieces with ease. Larger platters or sculptural work will eventually push past what this wheel can do. This guide covers […]