It can be hard to find decent pottery wheel reviews, but if you’re looking for information on the Shimpo VL-Whisper wheel, you’ve come to the right place.
The Shimpo Whisper line of ceramic lathes are known for their extremely quiet operation. The VL model is one of the most popular ceramic wheels among all manufacturers, not just Shimpo wheels.
One thing to remember when shopping for a potter’s wheel is that you want to buy a wheel that will grow with you as your skills improve. Look at a potter’s wheel as an investment. If you buy a quality caster that accommodates more than basic pots, it will bring you years of satisfaction.
Since the Shimpo VL-Whisper has a larger wheel head, can be tuned at high speeds, and can center up to 100 pounds of clay, it won’t hold you back in your efforts to master your craft.
Versatility
If you’re one of those people who loses track of time behind the wheel, you know how uncomfortable sitting in the same position for an extended period of time can be (and unfortunately, this will probably get worse as you get older).
The Shimpo VL-Whisper helps ease that pain. The legs are adjustable so you can set the wheel at the right height. The pedal is remote so you can use your left or right foot and move the pedal to the perfect spot.
Sensitivity
The 14-inch wheel head is very responsive—starting, stopping, accelerating, and decelerating smoothly when you want it to. This helps you avoid accidentally messing up the shape of your piece.
Other great features
Some other great features of the Shimpo VL-Whisper are as follows:
1. It’s easy to store if you’re short on space. Simply remove the detachable legs and lay the wheel on its side.
2. Since the motor is direct drive, there is no need to replace the belts.
3. The wheel accommodates bats and also freewheels, making it ideal for trimming and banding.
4. The Shimpo VL has a large work area for your tools and buckets, helping to keep everything within easy reach.
5. The tripod design keeps the wheel stable so you can easily work with stiffer clays.
6. The wheel comes with a 2-piece splash tray, making it easy to clean. It is also large enough to hold a considerable amount of clippings.
Disadvantages
What are the disadvantages of the VL-Whisper?
It certainly isn’t cheap. But potters around the world who have purchased this wheel are very enthusiastic about what a great wheel it is.
It’s also not very portable, so it’s not something you can easily throw in the trunk and take to a show or other event.
Shimpo is a great company that stands behind their products. The wheel comes with a warranty and Shimpo is backed by a top-notch customer support team. If you’re considering a new wheel, you can’t go wrong with the Shimpo VL-Whisper.