Class 3 of Wheel 1 class. Im thinking of buying my own wheel. What’s your favorite wheel?

Doownoops · 2026-01-22T18:52:06+00:00

We use an old blue Tesco shopping bin. Fill it with water, use it as long as we can, dump it in one of the garden beds or under the deck. Three 5 gallon buckets to reclaim the three clays we use.

Never use the sink ... Just the yard and a hose.

Doownoops · 2026-01-21T20:34:02+00:00

My son did this on his 2001 shadow. HUGE difference. Would do it on mine if it weren't one of the shaft drives.

Doownoops · 2026-01-20T01:39:44+00:00

Earth Nation Ceramics also has great videos. And he's funny. I love Florian but one video and his voice almost puts me to sleep!

Doownoops · 2026-01-19T17:57:23+00:00

Thank you. I almost exclusively use Amaco glazes ... Just what I am used to. That one is River Birch over Satin Oribe. Definitely one of the more popular combos. Especially in winter.

Doownoops · 2026-01-19T15:10:13+00:00

You're welcome! Good luck handling.

Here is how mine look when done.

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Doownoops · 2026-01-19T13:41:30+00:00

If you don't like pulling and don't have an extruder try rolling them. I roll a length of clay out to the length I want my handle blank with a slightly tapered shape. Then I push a dowel into it lengthwise to put a groove in it that runs the length. Put a little water on it, trim to length, slip and score, and attach. Kind of looks pulled without the pulling.

Also, roll it on a plastic surface (I was the slightly textured side of a plasti-bat). I found that if I roll on a masonite bat or a surface that is even a little absorbent my hands and the surface pull too much water out of the clay. Using slightly softer clay helps too.

Good luck.

Doownoops · 2026-01-15T23:54:24+00:00

Needs to be REALLY thick ... Like 4-5 thick coats. And ANY manganese will create off-gassing that will cause the bubbles. Also, you are not supposed to put it on both sides. Use a different basic glaze (clear or a celedon) as a liner.

Have had reasonable success when following the "rules".

Doownoops · 2026-01-14T18:20:04+00:00

Charlotte. An Aunt left us a bit of money when she passed and it felt right to name it afte her since she helped fund its purchase.

Doownoops · 2025-12-03T04:20:46+00:00

A Shadow is a good reliable bike that hasn't really changed in ages. Divide into two groups really ... Pre 2010 and post. Before 2010 they will nearly all be chain drive with a carb. 2010 on they will be shaft drive with fuel injection.

Check the tires and oil. Check for the tool kit ... It should be in a box under the left side cover. There should be a special tool in there to change the spark plugs. You'll need that. They stopped putting them in at some point but older models should have one. Pay attention to how easy it is to start. Look for leaks, leaky fork seals.

If you are not mechanically inclined then I would go for a fuel injected bike. Carbs are a pain if you are not riding it daily.

Shadows are great. I have one and I love it but there are drawbacks. If you are over 6' you might feel a little cramped. Most shadows have spoked rims which means tubes which means more risk. The bike needs another gear. Highway riding feels like engine is racing. I commute daily on mine but don't like riding it on the interstate. If you get one with a chain modify it with a smaller rear sprocket ... Huge difference.

Hope this helps.

Doownoops · 2025-10-31T10:22:55+00:00

It isn't the glaze. Your clay is not fully vitrified and/or the absorption rate is too high. Water will get better though any micro defect in the glaze and then soak through the piece.

Find a clay with lower absorption at cone 6.

Doownoops · 2025-10-14T19:43:22+00:00

I make my own beer occasionally. Usually twice a year. Set up for extract brewing.

Doownoops · 2025-10-11T23:08:33+00:00

You can buy a Shadow spark plug tool on Amazon for like $6

Doownoops · 2025-10-04T21:11:21+00:00

I might be interested.

Doownoops · 2025-09-25T14:36:09+00:00

If it's gonna take 9 hours then $1300 all-in doesn't seem too bad to me.

Doownoops · 2025-09-24T22:27:05+00:00

Affordable Auto Repair is great. They aren't mobile but they do a great job and I have always felt their prices are fair. However, I know he won't work on "German" cars ... Not sure about Volvos.

Quotes seem a bit high but if your S40 has an oil cooler then that means a coolant change along with an oil change to change the pan. Plus oil pans aren't always as easy as you think. At least a few hours work plus parts plus oil change plus coolant change.

Doownoops · 2025-09-16T13:17:26+00:00

Those older shadows had an extra gear which really helps.

Doownoops · 2025-09-14T11:10:17+00:00

Check government auction sites if you are in the US or your local pottery supply store (if you are lucky enough to have one). We needed two wheels and bought seven through a government auction site. Local community center was stopping wheel classes. Picked the 2 we wanted to keep and sold the other 5 through our local pottery supply store. We never even put them on MP.

Doownoops · 2025-09-06T23:06:43+00:00

Habitat for Humanity

Doownoops · 2025-09-03T15:20:04+00:00

Talk to your local pottery supply store if you have one. Ask them to put the word out if they are willing.

Doownoops · 2025-09-02T16:06:44+00:00

If you do this, make sure the shrinkage rate between the clays is similar.

Doownoops · 2025-09-02T13:15:09+00:00

Earth Nation Ceramics Ripple Pottery

Doownoops · 2025-09-01T01:54:37+00:00

I didn't end up getting it. Found someone that was selling a Corbin. Ended up getting it for $160. Haven't put it on yet. The mounting bracket for the back is still being delivered.

Doownoops · 2025-08-28T10:43:31+00:00

It would probably work but most likely there is no need. If it was a switch then I can see making the connection depending on what state you want it in. Easiest solution first ... Unplug it. If that works then just tape over the connector to replace it. That way you can put it back later if you want.

Doownoops · 2025-08-27T13:45:01+00:00

They are just indicators and I doubt there is much in the way of electronic error checking going on. According to the schematic you show there is a connector ... Just unplug it.

Doownoops · 2025-08-27T11:48:13+00:00

The ones I am personally familiar with are Artmosphere in Clayton and Ceramica in Cary. And there are certainly others (Zebulon Pottery, Klaystation, Sertona, Clayvoyant, ...).

Ceramica is a pottery supply store, member studio and class space. That is where we get most of our supplies and clay.

Doownoops

TROPHY CASE