MOM'S WASHING MACHINE POTTER'S WHEEL

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Now saw a top covering from a quarter sheet of 1/2" plywood, line it up very carefully, and cut a 1-1/2" hole in the board, so it will fit over the drive spindle. Slip the lid into position, drill and countersink holes for wood screws, and fasten the top to the frame rails. Finally, you can complete the chassis by fashioning a seat—to rest atop the side legs—from a suitable length of 2 X 12.

FOOT TREADLE

To allow for instant shut off without the need for removing one's hands from the clay work—we fashioned a foot-operated cutoff from an automobile dimmer, switch and some leftover 2 X 6. The original cord from the washing machine can be wired into the switch . . . though you might want to add some additional wire to provide a longer hookup.

UPSHIFT

Potters who have tried our wheel find that it works quite well and is actually comparable in performance to any single-speed commercial unit. However, a variable-speed head can be very helpful for accomplishing the different steps in the throwing process. For example, it requires a skilled hand to center the clay accurately at the relatively slow speeds at which our wheel turns. Unfortunately, we know of no practical way to modify the existing washing machine motor to provide higher speeds, so conversion to a variable-speed system would require either the substitution of a brush-type motor capable of operating at varying RPM without overheating perhaps a DC unit with a transformer or the use of a multiple ratio transmission.

Nonetheless, for the money and time invested, you'll have a hard time beating our scrounged potter's wheel, and with a little effort on your part it'll turn out some very worthwhile additions to your household crockery supply!

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you'd prefer a foot-propelled potter's wheel, check out Jon Kaplan's article on building a kick wheel on page 69 of MOTHER NO. 6 . . . available for $3.00 a copy—plus $1.00 for shipping and handling—from THE MOTHER EARTH NEWS'% P.O. Box 70, Hendersonville, North Carolina 28791.

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