How to Repair a Broken Pottery Wheel
In the modern era, the foot-peddled potter's wheel has been replaced by an electric wheel. These are easier to manipulate and store, as well as more efficient and durable. Despite these characteristics, sometimes the wheels can be damaged after years of use. As all good potters know, it's preferable to complete the repairs yourself rather than send it out.
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Things You'll Need
- Epoxy
- Fiberglass strips
- Scissors
- Sandpaper
- Wood strip
- Band saw
- Screwdriver
- Hammer
- Screws
- Drill
- Bearings
- Oil
Instructions
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Identify and locate the problem. If there is an issue concerning the motor or electrical system of the pottery wheel, contact the manufacturer, as technicians are available to complete these repairs.
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Use sandpaper to rough up the surface of your splash pan if it has split and needs repairing. Measure the length of the crack and cut a strip of fiberglass to that measurement. Place the fiberglass over the crack and attach it to the splash pan using epoxy. Let it dry and apply another coat of epoxy. Do this three or four times until the fiberglass is secure and the crack is mended. Sand it. If the crack was created due to pressure and weight over time, measure the distance between the splash pan and the frame of the wheel. It should be about 2 to 4 inches at the most. Cut a piece of wood of this thickness into a strip that is 6 inches by 4 inches and place it between the splash pan and frame at the point of the most pressure. This will create support for the splash pan in the future to avoid cracking.
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Replace the bearings on the shaft if they are off balance. There will be two to four screws used to fasten the bearings in place. Use a screwdriver with the appropriate head to remove the screws. If you have difficulty removing a screw, use a hammer to gently tap it. This should loosen the screw sufficiently to remove it. To install the new bearings, do not use the old screw holes. These should be filled with epoxy and sanded over. To ensure that the bearing fastens properly, place the bearing in the same position, but drill new holes and screw it into place. Add a little oil if necessary for smooth functioning.
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Tips & Warnings
Potters wheels are very durable pieces of equipment. Be sure that the repairs you make are strong enough to endure a lot of weight from heavy clay.
References
- Photo Credit Hands shaping clay on potter's wheel image by fotosergio from Fotolia.com
