How to Construct a Pottery Wheel
- 1). Remove the drive motor and transmission from an older, wringer-type washing machine. The spindle will be surrounded by a housing. Cut the top part of the housing away with a hacksaw so that enough of the spindle is exposed to make it possible to mount the pottery wheel on it later.
- 2). Saw seven pieces of 30-inch-long 2-inch by 6-inch lumber to frame a triangular support table. Use four of the pieces as legs (one double leg at the apex of the triangle and two side legs). Use the other three pieces as braces. Nail or screw two sides of the frame together into an L-shape. Mount the washing machine transmission to the cross braces using angle iron brackets (the cross braces should be at a height that places the top of the spindle at least three inches above the top of the wood frame).
- 3). Attach the final cross brace to the table legs to complete the triangle. Bolt a transmission mount to that side as well.
- 4). Saw a triangular tabletop to match the frame out of 1/2-inch plywood. Drill or cut a 1 1/2-inch hole through the plywood where the spindle will poke through. Mount the tabletop over the frame and spindle and nail or screw it into place.
- 5). Pour epoxy resin into a disposable pie pan (the diameter will depend on what size pots you eventually wish to make, but it should be at least eight inches). Allow the epoxy to harden and cure according to the directions for the brand you are using. Remove the wheel from the pie pan.
- 6). Drill and tap holes to mount a HX 7/8-inch split taper H bushing on the exact center of the epoxy wheel. Mount the bushing with the provided bolts. Place the bushing and wheel head over the top of the washing machine spindle and clamp the bushing into place with a vise. If desired for extra strength, drill a 3/16-inch hole through both the bushing and the spindle and lock it with a 3/16-inch diameter bolt and nut.
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