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If you or your child decides to try your hand at pottery, then you will need a potter’s wheel. A new apparatus is expensive, and without it it will not work to make an even jug of clay.
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.
Instructions for making a potter’s wheel
How to make a pottery machine with your own hands, we will tell you using an activator-type machine as an example. Suitable washer “Baby”.
Since the rotating element in it is located horizontally, you only need to modify the design a little by installing the disk.
What you need to work
Accessories and details:
- Washer;
- piece of plywood;
- yacht or waterproof varnish, paint, white spirit;
- plastic jar (for example, from under medicines);
- switch;
- Working wheel;
- insulating tape;
- bolts with nuts.
Tools:
- 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, you need to disassemble the washing machine. Proceed in sequence:
- Turn the washer over and unscrew the bolts around the perimeter 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 disc, 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, it is made by hand or ordered from a turner – to do this, measure the dimensions of the shaft. You can prepare a drawing of the finished structure in advance:
In the future, the finished wheel must be cleaned of dirt and painted.
Prepare the body
A circle is cut out of a piece of moisture-resistant plywood. It can also be ordered from the turner together with the wheel. If you will make parts yourself, check them in the assembly, there must be an exact centering.
When the circle is ready, treat it with impregnation by mixing varnish and white alcohol. Then apply a layer of waterproof (yacht) varnish on top.
Assembly and arrangement of the impeller
Screw the impeller to the plywood potter’s wheel. Then install the axle, secure it in place with a bolt.
Accurate, level installation is very important. If the wheel does not rotate smoothly, problems will arise 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.
Working with the body
For the convenience of work, the machine body must be cut off. Mark with a felt-tip pen a place 1-2 cm above the impeller and cut with a knife or a hacksaw. 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 electrical circuit of the motor is required. From it you can determine:
- what 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 completing the connection, cut a hole in the housing for the switch. It is desirable that it be protected from moisture. After installing the switch, connect the power wire to it. The ends of the wires can be fastened with a clamp and insulated with electrical tape.
A speed controller must be installed on the motor housing, since a speed of 500-700 revolutions per minute will not allow it to work normally.
Now you know how the potter’s wheel from the washing machine works. You can safely get to work and create.