Major Pottery Wheel Brands

Brent wheels were first manufactured in the United States by the company founded by Robert Brent. Robert Brent was a true pottery innovator. Dissatisfied with the wheels that were then on the market, Brent designed a wheel which had electronic speed controls and a DC motor with permanent magnets---the very first wheel that had either of these improvements. By the end of 1967, Brent pottery wheels were in full production. (By 1973, Robert Brent had also designed a kickwheel and had invented the first slab roller.)

In 1978, the American Art Clay Company (AMACO) purchased the Brent pottery wheel company from Mr. Brent and took over manufacturing. Brent pottery wheels are often cited as "the world's most popular wheel."

Paul Soldner was one of studio pottery's premier leaders and innovators in the later part of the twentieth century. When a student under Peter Voulkos, he began modifying the pottery equipment. This, in turn, led him to start the Soldner Pottery Equipment Company in 1955.

Soldner pottery wheels have a patented type of foot pedal that is highly sensitive to pressure and very smooth in its operation. This controller costs about three times as much as an SCR controller (the ones most often used), which contributes to the higher cost of the Soldner wheels. Soldner wheels are also known for their exceptional ability to handle huge amounts of clay on the wheelhead.

Creative Industries / Speedball Pottery Wheels

Creative Industries began manufacturing pottery wheels in 1971, in Cajon, CA. In 2009 the company was squired by the Speedball Art Company of Statesville, NC.

This line of wheels caters mainly to students, hobbyists, and those who want a very light, portable wheel. In the past, performance has been an issue with Creative Industry wheels, but in the recent past, the specifications have been upgraded.