Speedball Pottery Wheel Artista Table Top Review

Are you someone who is interested in pottery but daunted by huge pottery wheels, or someone who has been throwing pots for years and would like a travel-size outlet for your hobby?

Well buckle up, because we’ve got the wheel for you.

The Speedball Pottery Wheel Artista Table Top is small and lightweight, designed for both beginners and long-time potters.

It can be used either sitting down or standing, depending on what level of table you choose to place it on. T

hough its size limits the amount and kind of crafts you can produce with it, the Speedball Artista Table Top offers a lot to the new and the experienced.

But no pottery wheel is perfect. Here we’ll break down the good, the great, and the disappointing, so you can make the most informed decision. Is it right for you?

Speedball Pottery Wheel Artista Table Top: the Details

Specs

• Weight: 39.7 pounds
• Dimensions: 29.7 x 23.5 x 11.3 inches
• Wheel Head Size: 11 inches
• Centering Capacity: 25 pounds
• Warranty: 2 years

Construction

The Speedball Artista table top pottery wheel is made from high impact plastic and steel.

Its 11 inch wheel head is made of aluminum and can hold 25 pounds of clay.

The Speedball pottery wheel brings an impressive combination of a sturdy, dependable build with a lighter than usual weight.

It’s designed for either stand-up or sit-down use, and is light enough to be safely lifted and placed on a tabletop of any height.

Accessories

When you order this Speedball pottery wheel, it comes with:

• Two 2.5 quart buckets for holding water, tools, or extra clay
• Two 12 inch standard plastic bats
• A splash pan in addition to the wheel’s splash pan for extra mess protection
• Several samples of Speedball brand pottery glazes.

It is also possible to order a foot pedal that plugs into the wheel to control the wheel’s motor speed, but this accessory is optional, since the wheel features a hand control knob.

Another optional feature are folding legs that attach to the pottery wheel, transforming it from a tabletop tool to a standalone pottery wheel.

Speedball Artista Pottery Wheel Features

A Range of Speeds

The wheel’s one-third horsepower motor is low-volume and has variable speeds, which you can smoothly control with either the already included hand control knob or with the optional foot pedal accessory.

Secured Splash Pad

Surrounding the wheel is a two-part splash pan, which prevents mess.

The wheel and the back of the splash pan are firmly attached to the motor casing, preventing the Speedball Artista Table Top Pottery Wheel from falling apart while in use or if accidentally dropped.

Control Speed with a Knob

Though the knob that controls this table top wheel’s motor speed is an unusual feature, since most of us are used to foot pedals as the default speed control device for a pottery wheel, it’s easy to become familiar with and gives you more control over your work.

Industrial Quality Materials

One thing that will become apparent very quickly when you’re holding the Artista Table Top pottery wheel is how well it’s made.

This bad boy is sturdy.

It’s made of industrial quality materials, and it shows.

It can take some serious abuse (not to mention up to 25 lbs worth of clay) and still spins merrily along. Impressive!

Speedball Pottery Wheel Artista Table Top Review

The Positives

It Works for All Kinds of Clay

The Speedball Artista Table Top pottery wheel can operate with many different kinds of clay, fitting the unique needs of any project you take on.

Whether you like to use softer air dry clay or prefer to craft with clay that requires a kiln in order to fire, this pottery wheel can support your clay of choice, as long as the amount is under the 25 pound carrying capacity.

It’s a versatile little machine!

Here’s a video of it in action:

Durable, Easy Clean-Up, and Outdoor Friendly

The industrial quality build of this pottery wheel results in a tool that stays in one piece and lasts a long time.

If you want to make a single investment in one pottery wheel, and not worry about future replacements, then this one will last.

As a bonus, if you like to store wheels outside or want to work on projects outdoors, its secure casing ensures it’ll last even in rainy weather conditions.

We also found that this wheel is really easy to clean, which is a feature that saves time for busy part-time potters. Not to mention saving you money on totally caked up replacement wheels!

You Can Sit or Stand With It

Because it is simple to use this wheel while standing up by setting it on a high table, avid potters who use it have to worry less often about the back pain that results from sitting hunched over a lower wheel.

However, this pottery wheel is also amenable to potters who prefer to sit for personal comfort or medical reasons.

Better Speed Control – No Accidents!  

The knob feature provides more accurate control over the speed, removing the possibility of accidentally changing the speed with a misplaced foot nudge and ruining a pottery project.

All of this leaves us convinced that the Speedball Artista Pottery Wheel is…

Great for Beginners

Because it is an accessible device for people of all ages and abilities, this might just be the best pottery wheel for a household with a combination of beginner and professional potters.

It would also fit well in a pottery classroom, where beginner and experienced potters may be working together in a small space.

Sure, the price is steep for straight-up beginners, but if you’re willing to make the investment, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

The Negatives

Not Intended for Left-Handed Potters

If you are left-handed, the standard Speedball Artista table top may not work for you, because it only spins in a clockwise direction.

The company does offer wheels for left-handed potters, but receiving one requires a special order — it’s best to contact them directly to get this set up for you.

Learning the Knob Speed Control is Time-Consuming

While the speed knob is an advantage, some potters may find it takes some time to master.

It requires a learning curve to get used to, and if you don’t want to devote the time or are just uninterested in adapting to it, having to order a foot pedal separately might be an inconvenience for you.

This is certainly worth considering before you spend money on it.

Splash Pan Can’t Be Removed

While it’s great for some projects, the two part splash pan that comes with the wheel might be too small for others.

Unfortunately, is not possible to detach the standard pan from the motor casing and replace it with a larger one.

If you are planning to create something larger than the average salad bowl, say, or if you produce a lot of pottery as part of a small business, you may need something a little bigger and badder for your purposes.

Overall Verdict

Despite the reasonably high price, we can confidently say that the Speedball Pottery Wheel Artista Table Top is possibly the best pottery wheel for beginners on the market right now.

It’s very easy to use, versatile and almost impeccably well made. It’s also an excellent choice for pottery instructors looking for a smaller, cheaper pottery wheel for classroom use.

However, it’s not perfect — more experienced potters may find mastering the speed knob to be a little time consuming, while left handed peeps will need to place a special order if they’re interested in the Speedball.

Where to Buy the Speedball Artista Pottery Wheel

Thanks to its high quality and ease of use, the Speedball table top pottery wheel is very popular in the craft world indeed.

Here are just a few marketplaces where you can find it online:

• Clay King ($368)
• Sheffield Pottery ($389)
• Big Ceramic Store ($479)

And, of course, it’s available on Amazon.

Have you tried the Speedball Artista Table Top Pottery Wheel yet?