The Nidec Shimpo 9 1/2” wide banding wheel. Get it at Blick.
Note: Updated and edited October 2022
A banding wheel is a great tool for handbuilding, decorating, and carving. Potters and sculptors definitely needs one or more of these in the studio.
This post will cover quality banding wheels that can handle the weight of clay and be cleaned. You don’t want to mess with cheap plastic options, or lazy susans that aren’t designed to get dirty and be cleaned again.
Top Pick: Nidec Shimpo Banding Wheels
The complete line of Shimpo Banding Wheels.
Nidec Shimpo banding wheels are made of cast iron and painted with rust-resisted blue paint and are heavy, durable and will last a lifetime. They have sealed ball bearings, a one-piece design that will not come apart when picked up, and the weight of the cast iron results in a smooth, even spin. These banding wheels are a pleasure to use whether you are coil building, painting, carving, or sculpting.
Shimpo banding wheels come in five sizes ranging from 7” to 11 3/4” wide. The three smaller wheels are all 2 1/4” tall, while the two taller sizes are 4 3/4” tall and 7 1/2” tall. My preference is for the shorter, lower-profile banding wheels but a pedestal-style banding wheel may work for your studio. Some may find these banding wheels to be on the heavy side, but the weight works to your advantage to create a steady, even, long-lasting spin.
Shopping tip: These banding wheels tend to be cheaper at Blick than Amazon.
The Shimpo 25L Banding Wheel is 9 7/8” x 2 1/4”
Shimpo Banding Wheel Specs:
Model, diameter, height, and weight.
18L 7” x 2 1/4”, 6.5 lbs, $64-$79 (Shop 7” at Amazon)
22L 8 3/4” x 2 1/4”, 13 lbs, $77-$90
25L 9 1/2” x 2 1/4”, 15 lbs, $89-$120 (Shop at Amazon)
25H 9 7/8” x 7 1/2”, 19 lbs, $117-$132 (Shop at Amazon)
30M 11 3/4” x 4 3/4”, 28 lbs, $138-160 (Shop at Amazon)
More pics of the Nidec Shimpo banding wheel
Top view
Bottom view
Table of Contents
Top Pick: Shimpo Banding Wheels
Budget Pick: CSI Banding Wheels
Great option: Amaco Banding Wheels
Other Banding Wheels
Summary
Budget Pick: CSI Banding Wheels
CSI Banding Wheels come in sizes ranging from 8” to 16” in diameter.
CSI Banding Wheels are heavy-duty, economical banding wheels made from two Formica-covered particle boards with stainless steel ball bearings. They are 2 inches tall and range from 8 to 16” in diameter. These banding wheels are portable and stackable, are lighter than cast-iron options such as the Shimpo. They have decent turning capacity but they don’t turn as readily and easily as the Shimpo banding wheels.
For heavy sculptures or vessels these are great options. The 8” and 10” wheels have a 200 lb capacity, the 12” is rated to 300 lbs, and the 14” and 16” are rated to an 800 lb capacity.
The CSI banding wheels range in price from around $29 to about $47. That’s an incredibly great deal for a heavy-duty banding wheel, making this a great option for educational studios, beginners, or those more focused on sculpture and handbuilding rather than spinning decoration.
Great option: Amaco #5 Banding Wheel
The Amaco #5 Banding Wheel is a 7” wide aluminum banding wheel that sits on a pedestal stand. Along with the Shimpo and CSI banding wheels, it’s quite common to see this in many ceramic studios. The smaller size, lighter weight, and pedestal stand makes it popular for decorating, carving, scraffitto work, and painting. It is not designed for heavy weight, but it is sturdy.
The drawbacks with this stand is that it is in two pieces and will separate if picked up by the top piece. There are also a variety of mixed reviews online, mentioning poor construction quality. AMACO may be having production issues with this unit, but in my experience, it’s a quality turntable that is great for small decorative tasks.
Other Banding Wheels options
Plastic Banding Wheels
To be completely honest, I feel that plastic banding wheels are not worth buying. They can’t really be used for painting or banding, as the light weight doesn’t result in any lasting spin. They are also prone to breaking. You’ll be better off spending a bit more to get a CSI wheel.
The only reason I can see to get a plastic banding wheel is for working with young children. They are lightweight and stackable (but not robust…treat them carefully!) Or the other reason if you just need a lightweight turntable for detail work such as carving or fine detail sculpting.
Metal Banding Wheels
These generic metal banding wheels, available under a variety of names online such as Falling In Art or US Art Supply, are highly rated and run about half the price of the Shimpo banding wheels. Available in 7” and 12” diameter, with a 4 inch pedestal, and a weight of about 10 lbs, these wheels have a set screw to hold the top and bottom pieces together. They are not quite as heavy as the Shimpo, but much heavier than other options such as the CSI Turntables or plastic wheels.
These wheels have numerous positive online reviews and are overall highly rated, but there are also some very negative reviews.
7” banding wheel is generally $29 to $39, while the 12” banding wheel is $39 to $49.
Jack Richeson Mobile Sculpture Stand and Turntable
A mobile sculpture stand gives you the freedom to work on pottery and sculptures from all sides, and roll your work station out of the way if needed. This can be a great option for figurative sculpture, or if you want to create an additional workspace without adding another table. To work on this stand comfortably, you’ll need a tall stool or work standing up. The center shaft is adjustable for a working height of 39.5 to 44 inches. The wooden work surface is 12 inches square, and the base is 29 inches square with 4 locking caster wheels. It’s a great stand for working on sculptures, pottery, or as a display stand. It retails for $208.
Summary
This post has covered a variety of banding wheels, turntables, and sculpture stands. In general, the best option is the heavy-duty cast iron Shimpo banding wheels, especially if you need to get a smooth, steady spin for painting pottery. If you are working with heavy sculptures, the CSI Turntables are a sturdy, economical option. And there are other cheaper and lighter options.
What banding wheels do you use? Let us know in the comments.
