Ceramic - Pottery Dictionary

by Susan Mussi

WHEEL (c) Hand wheel

ca: TORNETA (c) de sobretaula

es: TORNETA (c) de sobremesa

Hand wheels are flat disks that revolve horizontally, are turned by hand and are used for decorating plates, jars, for banding and sculpture. The wheel head and leg are joined, so to turn it you turn the leg, which pivots on the foot. This allows you to turn what you are decorating so you can work on all sides of the object without having to move. They can be bought in many heights and sizes for sitting and standing and are made with circular indented lines to help center the clay, this part is known as the wheel head.

a) Wheel head. b) Centering lines. c) Leg. d) Foot.
Note: Hand wheels are also known as banding wheels. Read more about: Banding (6) Wheel