Motor Comparison

Confused by all the manufacturer's claims about pottery wheel throwing capacities? You have every right to be. Let's try to clear things up a little.

Many manufacturers are using motors rated as "peak" horsepower not "continual duty" horsepower. Industrial motors are "continual duty" motors which means they are designed to run fully loaded 24 hours a day without overheating. "Peak rated motors" are rated to provide power for a very short period of time (usually just a few minutes). This information should be on the motor nameplate. Avoid wheels whose motors have no nameplate rating.

 Skutt Motor Comparison
Get the Facts on Torque
 
Many manufacturers are using motors rated as "peak" horsepower not "continual duty" horsepower. Industrial motors are "continual duty" motors which means they are designed to run fully loaded 24 hours a day without overheating. "Peak rated motors" are rated to provide power for a very short period of time (usually just a few minutes). This information should be on the motor nameplate. Avoid wheels whose motors have no nameplate rating. Skutt Motor controller comparison
 
Temperature is the greatest enemy of variable speed motors. The slower the motor turns, the more heat is built up. Also, when overheated, the brushes degrade faster causing increased wear on the commutator. Larger motors have superior insulation and more windings, which allow greater dissipation of motor heat. Check to see if the motor has an integrated fan for additional cooling. This allows these motors to run cooler and last longer.
 
Be sure to look at the motor's physical size before buying a wheel. The bigger the motor is, the more torque you will have to throw pots.
 
Potter's Wheel Torque Test (Lbs inch)*
Skutt Torque Test Horsepower alone doesn't guarantee a smooth running wheel. Good electronics together with continual duty motors allow the maximum amount of torque per horsepower rating on the motor.
 
The torque a wheel produces is the amount of power you will have to center clay. Our 1/3 hp motor produces more torque than most competitors' 1/2 hp motors. Our 1 hp motors are the largest motors available on potter's wheels today.
 
With all Thomas Stuart Wheels, you can be assured of years of maintenance free service with the highest torque output on the market today. By choosing the most reputable motor companies, we provide simply the best motors available on all of our wheels
 
*Tested by three independent motor specialists (not all competitor's wheels were available at the time of the test). References: Leeson Electric Motor Co & Baldor Electric Motor Co