Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Sitdown Motorized Potter's Wheel



Well, after hours of internet image searching I found a picture of the "unknown" potter's wheel. At least I'm pretty sure this is the wheel. Still don't have a name for it yet but did find out it has a variable speed, pedal operated, Dayton split phase motor. Still seeking more information and comments about it.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Hello Jeffrey! Like you - I was searching the internet for hours to try and find out more information on the exact "unknown" potter's wheel you have posted. Last night I bought an exact match to this image through Craigslist.

Just curious if you have turned up any more information about this. The person I bought it from had purchased it used 9 years ago for his daughter for $350. She was very artistic, but soon after purchasing the wheel she had a traumatic brain injury which ended her ability to use the wheel. He has kept it in storage ever since. I am kicking myself for not asking more questions - like did the previous owner purchase it new, how old he thought it was, etc. He thought it might be an Amaco wheel, but I can't find anything similar.

There is a label on the outside of the basin that has been painted over. I am going to try and carefully remove the paint to try and shed some light on it.

In any case, I am glad I at least found this image of the wheel - it was driving me bonkers!

I look forward to hearing anything you may have come up with about this image - oh - where did you find the original image? Were you able to contact the original poster of the image?

Laura in Toledo

Unknown said...

Hello again - the mystery has been solved with the removal of the label. It is a Pottery Maker made by B&I Mfg Co. Burlington, Wis. These were commonly available from the 1950s-1960s through Sears Roebuck and directly from the manufacturer. They also sold Gem Makers which seem to be the popular item as little could be found on the actual Pottery Maker. The label on the unit purchased actually had Pottery Maker and not Gem Maker though...Happy throwing!