If you or your child decide to try yourself in pottery, then you will need a potter's wheel. The new device is expensive, and without it you cannot make an even clay jug.
Therefore, in the article we will talk about how to make a potter’s wheel from a washing machine with our own hands. The technology is easy to understand, any type of machine is suitable: activator or drum.
Pottery Wheel Instruction
How to make a potter’s machine with our own hands, we will tell on the example of an activator type machine. Suitable washing machine "Baby."
Since the rotating element in it is located horizontally, you will only need to slightly modify the design by installing the disk.
What will be needed for work
Components and parts:
- Washer;
- piece of plywood;
- yacht or waterproof varnish, paint, white spirit;
- a plastic jar (for example, from a medicine);
- switch;
- Working wheel;
- insulating tape;
- bolts with nuts.
Instruments:
- self-tapping screws;
- ruler;
- hacksaw for metal;
- felt-tip pen;
- knife;
- soldering iron;
- screwdrivers and keys.
Step-by-step execution of work
How to make a potter’s wheel at home? To do this, disassemble the washing machine. Proceed sequentially:
- Turn the washer over and unscrew the perimeter bolts that connect the two parts.
- Remove the timer by disconnecting the wires.
- Remove the drive belt from the pulley.
- Remove the pulley by unscrewing the bolt in the center that holds it.
- To remove the ribbed disk, you need to unscrew the plastic nut.
Now you need to make a homemade impeller. Since there is no wheel between the shaft and the potter’s wheel, do it yourself or order it from a turner - to do this, measure the shaft dimensions. You can pre-prepare a drawing of the finished design:
In the future, the finished wheel needs to be cleaned from dirt and painted.
Prepare the housing
A circle is cut from a piece of moisture-proof plywood. It can also be ordered from the turner along with the wheel. If you will make parts yourself, check them in the assembly, there must be an exact alignment.
When the circle is ready, treat it with impregnation by mixing varnish and white spirit. Then apply a layer of waterproof (yacht) varnish on top.
Assembly and construction of the impeller
Screw the impeller to the potter's wheel from plywood. Then install the axle, fix it in place with a bolt.
Accurate, even installation is very important. If the circle rotates unevenly, there will be problems when working with clay.
After you put the structure on the shaft, you need to take care that no water enters the drive mechanism. To do this, use a plastic vial: cut off the bottom of the jar and place it on the shaft, securing it with a nut.
Work with the case
For convenience, the machine body must be cut. Mark with a felt-tip pen a place 1-2 cm above the impeller and cut with a knife or hacksaw for metal. You should have a bottom with an activator and small sides.
Motor connection
In one of the articles we described in detail the process of connecting the washing machine motor. To make the correct connection, the electric circuit of the motor is required. By it you can determine:
- which wires lead to the tachometer, which regulates the speed of the motor;
- which lead to the stator and rotor;
- which lead to electric brushes.
After making the connection, cut a hole for the switch in the housing. It is desirable that it be protected from moisture. After installing the switch, connect the power cable to it. The ends of the wires can be fastened with a clamp and insulated with electrical tape.
A speed regulator must be installed on the motor housing, since a speed of 500-700 rpm will not allow normal operation.
Now you know how the pottery wheel from the washing machine works. You can safely get to work and create.