[Nealtw]

this guy built one out of an old drill and a foot peddle from a sowing machine.
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-variable-speed-pottery-wheel/

 

[Blessed]

Hello Everyone, I have finally completed my electric pottery wheel, however my motor is too strong, does anyone know how I should determine what kind of speed controller to add and how to connect it?

 

[carmusic]

please send specs of the motor you used, it may be controllable via a fan controller (some are plug-in ready with on/off switch and speed dial)

 

[J. V.]

1725 rpm as recommended. I would like to connect a foot pedal as well? Does that call for a specific type of motor as well?

No. You can use a foot pedal with any motor. However, to not confuse you anymore than you already are, its basically a switch that you operate with your foot.
Google foot pedal to see whats available.
I wish I had seen this thread sooner as I would have suggested a PM DC motor with a small DC controller.
This way you get built in speed control and only need a cord and plug for the controller. They can run on 120 or 240 volt ac.
Small PM DC motors are inexpensive and the controllers are as well.

You cannot run that wheel at 1800/1750 RPM. You will sling mud everywhere and I think you have already found this out. The pulleys are there for a reason. To get the proper speed. Old fashioned way. But works well if you only need one speed.
They do make AC variable speed controls, that might work with what you have? They also have a ramp function so the motor can be set to ramp up and down slowly. That's what you need.
Both the DC and AC mini controllers have a speed potentiometer on the front for easy speed adjustment. More money for the enclosed type. They also have "start, stop, jog" switch on them
You can start out at zero speed and adjust until you get the perfect speed.

Hello Everyone, I have finally completed my electric pottery wheel, however my motor is too strong, does anyone know how I should determine what kind of speed controller to add and how to connect it?

Too strong or to fast? The ones below are chassis mount and require a box, potentiometer and a cord and plug. But take the time to look over the manufacturers site to see what else they have.
This is KB's site. There are others and you may find better prices.

Heres the DC drive. https://motorsandcontrol.com/kb-electronics-8609-kbwd-13-0-130vdc-1-3-hp-chassis-dc-drive/

Heres the AC drive. https://motorsandcontrol.com/kb-ele...25hp-1-phase-110-120v-200-240v-input-ip-20-enclosure-variable-frequency-drives/
Edit on this one. It outputs 3 phase. Use for example of chassis mount.
I'll look for an ac in, ac out speed control for you.

I did not link you to the models with enclosures and built in speed pot.
Just an example really.
Just so you can see whats available besides mechanical speed intervention as you have now.

Should you decide to stay with what you got you will need to change those pulleys to get a usable speed. Full motor speed is way to fast for your needs. As you most likely know now.

 

[Oso954]

Most potters wheels have a 0-250 rpm range. A few go up to 300. In use, the high speed is rarely used.

Today most of the commercial units are PM DC Motors with PWM Control. Multiple groove v belts are used for the drive.

HP is 1/4-1.0 depending on clay capacity.

 

[Blessed]

Ok thanks guys, I'll take all these suggestions to my local electrician and see what he thinks is best. I would like to just do a speed controller, the fan motor controller sounds ideal, thanks again for your help!

 

[Oso954]

I would like to just do a speed controller, the fan motor controller sounds ideal,

A ceiling fan speed control that you find on the shelf is a bad choice. Too light duty for the motor and most of them are only low, med, high, not variable.

Odds are you will smoke it.

 

[Blessed]

Ok, oso954, you were right I connected a single pole fan controller and only "high" works. That's what the electrician suggested, but I see I'm going to have to to find a variable speed controller for this project. How do I determine if the controller is compatible with my motor? Here are the specs of my motor

 

[dmxtothemax]

That motor will pull just under 400w at 120v. (running current).
I would go to an electric motor shop
Purchase an electronic motor speed control
one that will handle the 400W.

https://www.ebay.com/p/for-Router-F...ble-Speed-Controller-Electric-Motor-Rheostat-AC-120v/552414638?iid=291998158232

:vs_cool:

 

[Blessed]

This is the router speed control I just went and purchased! Thank you I'm excited to try it, if this doesn't work I'll come back with questions.

 

[carmusic]

it will probably wont work, you need a universal type motor for those like a ceiling fan motor is
the only way to modify your spped with that motr would be a multiple belt setup like there is in a press drill
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nU4Ml862z3s/maxresdefault.jpg

 

[Blessed]

A ceiling fan motor won't work, it's not strong enough, I tried that with my first design, if the router speed control doesn't work, I will need to improve my pulley system. I have seen several pottery wheels with 1 large pulley at the bottom of the pottery wheel head and another around the motor and they had a foot pedal and/or speed controller. That's how I would like mine to be. If I need to create another pulley system, does the size of the pulley matter? If so, how do I determine what size I need?

 

[SeniorSitizen]

Reply #8
***********************************************************
What speed is recommended for a pottery wheel?

The wheel RPM can be calculated by motor RPM x drive pulley diameter divided by driven pulley diameter. Other configurations of a jack shaft or mule shaft can further reduce the speed if necessary. The same formula is used to calculate final RPM. Formula = all the drive pulleys divided by all the driven pulleys.
**********************************************
EXAMPLE: a 1725 rpm motor with a 4" diameter pulley on its shaft will turn a 12" dia. pulley and shaft 575 rpm. Minus about 3 percent for slippage.

 

[J. V.]

You need a motor like this.
https://www.automationdirect.com/ad...56C_Permanent_Magnet_DC_Motors_-z-_90_VDC_Armature_(0.33_-_1.5HP)/MTPM-P33-1L18

You need a controller like this.
https://www.automationdirect.com/ad...dc/Shopping/Catalog/Drives/DC_Drives/High_Voltage_(>_50V)_Enclosed/GSD3-240-3N4

You are making this way harder than you need to.
I wonder how much money you have already spent before looking at a proven product that will do exactly what you want it to do.

These are examples. You should call Automation Direct and get firm quotes and technical advice.

 

[Blessed]

Ok J.V. So then my question is what's wrong with the motor that I do have? shouldn't I just be able to purchase a controller as the one you suggested for the motor I do have? I havnt spent a lot at all. And the examples I've seen or as you've said sure products don't come with detailed instructions. I've googled the most of this information and it's turned out pretty good so far. But if you can help with what I have, that would be great!!

 

[dmxtothemax]

quote - [ does the size of the pulley matter? ]

YES !
it matters a lot
The size of the pulleys determine the final speed and power
that you will get from your motor.

:glasses:

 

[SeniorSitizen]

Speaking of a drill press speed variable options, every DIY'er can use a drill press so just buy a variable speed drill press and chuck a pulley mounted arbor shaft in the chuck. You be good to go with most any RPM needed within a range determined by the drill press motor and the pulley size you choose to be driven by the chuck. On off pottery days drill holes or drum sand something.