If you sit at the pottery wheel, you need a comfortable, functional stool that will stand the test of time and can be cleaned. There are a few pottery-specific stools that really are best for throwing, but a basic stool will also get the job done and can double as a step-stool in the studio.
TOP PICK:
Our top pick is the Shimpo Potter’s Stool. It has 4 adjustable legs, a padded seat, and a rugged design that will last forever. It is also the only stool that can be set at an angle with two longer legs (see picture) if that is more comfortable for you. It’s in the middle price range of stools reviewed here, generally around $80-90 plus shipping.
The Shimpo Potter’s Stool is a great option but there are other pottery stools too. The full review is below.
For a full pottery wheel buyer’s guide, click here.
Table of Contents
Top Pick: Shimpo Potter’s Stool
Speedball ST-4 Adjustable Potter’s Stool
National Public Seating 18” stool
Other Options
How to Find the Beast Seat Height for Throwing
Wrap Up
Top Pick: Shimpo Potter’s Stool
The Shimpo Pottery Stool.
The Shimpo Potter’s Stool is the most versatile, comfortable, and functional pottery stool on the market. It has four adjustable legs with nine adjustable slots on each leg, with a range of 19 to 26 inches high. The legs are adjusted by pushing a pin in and moving the leg to the desired slot and letting the pin snap back in to place. The legs also can be adjusted independently, allowing for the stool to be set at an angle if desired. (Most pictures show this stool set up at a precipitous angle but even a slight angle or flat will work for throwing) It also has a comfortable, padded seat, but that does make it hard to stand on top of the stool if you want to use it to reach something high.
The stool can be turned upside down on a wheelhead when not in use, and with a 16 x 16 inch footprint, it is compact and won’t get in the way. Ongoing upkeep is simple: a bit of oil on the adjustable legs when needed.
The only drawback is the adjustable pins can be a bit unwieldy to press in to change, but most potters probably don’t need to adjust their stool too often. Another drawback is that the blue seat cover can be cut or pierced. But these are relatively minor concerns. Overall, it’s compact, functional, and comfortable stool.
Speedball St-4 Adjustable Pottery Stool
The Speedball ST-4 Adjustable Pottery Stool has a molded plastic cushioned seat with a low back, a hydraulic adjustment that ranges from 16 to 23 inches high, and a wide, sturdy, 5-pointed base. The cushioned seat is comfortable for long sessions, is made of some kind of semi-hard foam, and is easy to clean. There’s also a right-side lever to adjust the heigh. This lever also can be cleaned, but it’s best to keep this and the inner adjustable column free of clay.
This stool could be the top pick, but some may find that the wide base gets in the way and might be a tripping hazard in a tight studio. Another drawback is that if clay gets on the adjustable column, it can damage the mechanism. Over time, if not kept clean, the stool ceases to be adjustable. So it may not be a lifetime sort of purchase, such as the Shimpo stool, but it is very comfortable and if kept clean, will last for years.
The Speedball ST-4 Pottery Stool costs around $150 and is available at speciality ceramic suppliers. Click here to visit the Speedball website.
National Public Seating 18” Stool and 18” Adjustable Stool
18” Stool from National Public Seating in grey.
National Public Seating 18” Stool in black.
National Public Seating’s stools are the utilitarian workhorses of studios. Sturdy, stackable, and virtually indestructible, they will last for years and years of heavy use, and the shorter 18” stool can easily double as a tall step stool or low pedestal for use with your favorite banding wheel. The 18” fixed height stool is a fairly good option for the pottery wheel but some may find it a little short. There is also an option for just a bit more that can adjust from 18 to 27 inches however, this is a screwed-in adjustment that needs a hex wrench to change. You won’t be making quick adjustments like with the Shimpo stool.
18” Stool in grey with padded vinyl seat from National Public Seating.
Another plus to these stools is they are available in a few colors: a basic gray, black, and a grey with a padded vinyl cushion. These stools are very common and widely carried, so it can be good to shop around and see if there’s a sale. Typically they are around $35-$40 and a bit more for the padded or adjustable models, but I’ve seen them on sale for as little as $25. They aren’t as versatile as the easily adjustable Shimpo and Speedball stools, but there’s a lot to be said for having a simple stool around.
You can also find these stools with a backrest option—I’m not sure that is necessary on an 18” wheel, but it is nice for the taller chairs for other studio uses. My preference is to turn chairs like this upside down on the wheelhead when not in use.
In the U.S., Blick carries a lot of options for this stool.
Shop 18” National Public Seating Stool at Blick
Amazon also has a variety of options of this stool:
Shop black 18” stool at Amazon
Shop padded grey 18” stool at Amazon
Other Options for Pottery Stools
Speedball ST-1 Professional Pottery Stool.
Speedball makes a few other pottery-specific stools. The white Speedball ST-1 Professional Pottery Stool has a similar base and adjusting mechanism to the ST-4, but it has a more cushioned and contoured seat with an office-chair type back. It is designed to easily allow your legs to spay open around the splash pan of a wheel. Some swear by this chair but for me, it’s kind of an awkward design. Given the option I go for the ST-4 or Shimpo stool first. The ST-1 is adjustable from 18 to 23 inches high.
Speedball makes two other pottery stools, the ST-5 and ST-10. The ST-5 has the same mechanism and base as the other adjustable Speedball chairs, but with a flat seat. And the ST-10 is a fixed-height, 18” stool with a wooden seat. It is very similar in design to the National Public Seating stools, but with a wooden top. Aesthetically, it’s more pleasing but it is also much more expensive.
Speedball ST-5 Adjustable Height Stool.
The Speedball Stools are available at ceramic suppliers or click here to visit the Speedball website.
National Public Seating Adjustable Swivel Stool
A final option is the National Public Seating Adjustable Swivel Stool. Rather than a hydraulic column that can break down over time, this seat is adjustable by turning the seat and moving what is essentially a big screw up or down. The adjusting mechanism is housed in a steel center sleeve but the “teeth” of the swivel are exposed as you raise the seat. As long as this is kept clean, the stool should last for a long time. It’s great for academic studios, anywhere you need an adjustable stool, but it is heavier and harder to stack. The stool is available in a variety of styles including wood and hardboard seats, and can adjust from 17 3/4” to 24 1/4” high. Modestly priced, like most of the company’s products, it’s usually available for around $80.
How to Find the Best Height for Throwing
Seated throwing at the pottery wheel can be very comfortable if you get your body positioned in the right way. I prefer to sit at least equal or higher to the wheelhead. This allows my upper body and torso to be involved in the throwing. The lower you set your seat in relation to the wheelhead, the more you will only rely on your shoulders and upper back for power, which can lead to strains and problems. You definitely want your abdomen, torso, and even your thighs to be involved in throwing.
Here’s how I suggest you find the position that is right for you. Keep in mind that every body is shaped differently. Different lengths of torsos and arms are really what come in to play with wheelthrowing:
Set your chair or stool to be approximately 1 inch higher than your wheelhead. Keep in mind that bats may change the height of the wheelhead. I always sit higher than the wheelhead and instruct my students to start the same way. This allows you to “lean” in and really get a lot of power simply from the weight of your torso.
If this is not comfortable, adjust your seat higher in lower in approximately 1/2” intervals until you find a comfortable position.
Feel free to move your foot pedal from left to right if possible. You can also raise the footpedal on bricks or boards.
Add a brick or upside down bucket underneath your non-pedal foot. Raising your leg allows your thigh to get a bit involved with adding power to your arms.
While throwing, try to keep a curve in your lower back by keeping your chest up. This is hard to do.
Take frequent breaks to stand up, stretch your arm, or move a bit so your body doesn’t get locked into a static position.
If you have aches and pains, you may need to consider switching your throwing position. It also doesn’t hurt to have a regular stretching routine, either before or after throwing. And adding core / ab exercises to your week will only improve your comfort and ability on the wheel.
If seated throwing is not working for you, keep in mind that many manufacturers make legs for wheels, or you can place a wheel on a table top or elevate it with cinder blocks. (Click here for a guide to table top wheels.) Many people find that a standing wheel is more comfortable and this is what you will find at many factories that work with jigs and molds on wheels. Keep in mind that if you are new to pottery, you may just need to develop new muscles, so start with 30 to 60 minute throwing sessions and grow from there over time.
Wrap Up
This post has reviewed the best stools for use at at pottery wheel and covered some ideas on how to find the most comfortable position for throwing. Our top pick is the economical, sturdy, and functional adjustable Shimpo Pottery Stool. But there are other options so that everyone can find the best stool for their studio.
What stool do you use at the wheel? Let us know in the comments.
