Restoring An Old Venco Pottery Wheel from 1980

In this video I work on restoring a Venco No. 5 Pottery Wheel. Venco is an Australian brand, and their products are known for being high quality and are in use all over the world. They specialise in pottery wheels and clay pug mills.
Being a 42 year old wheel, it needed a full overhaul, but for the most part the components remained in great condition. The most common issue with these wheels and the one I encountered with this one was the plastic grommets that support the drive assembly had disintegrated. This causes the whole assembly to become loose and rattly, and in this case the wheel also lost the alignment between the motor cone and flywheel, and was no longer usable.
The previous owner had tried to repair this and replace the grommets with garden hose. To do things properly, I machined new ones on the lathe from UHMWP (Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene). Old oxidised brown paint was cleaned up, cut and polished and left original. The top basin repainted, new grommets fitted, and everything reassembled. After all the work, the wheel was looking and performing like a brand new one!
Hope you enjoy watching!
Instagram: / ro.lummyhill
Email: [e-mail]

[@davidmolloy1317]

I especially enjoy the flash backs of the noisy non-functioning wheel, the the triumph of throwing a vase at the end with beautiful restored venco! CHEERS! ELY

[@wearsjorge55]

Wow, the difference in sound is big. Will definitely be doing a refurb on mine, thanks for the great vid

[@Nakai2024]

Nice video, I like to watch these DIY's when I'm up late drinking beer to get motivated. You did a fine job.

[@sallyfish9133]

Watching your video was like meditating! Such beauty, all round! I have a wheel like yours in the UK, but lack the skills to fix it. I'm going to keep searching for someone who can help me though! I was also hopeful that the direction could be changed, so thank you for confirming!

[@rohanallen7798]

Just picked up same wheel and am pulling down this weekend to do exactly this, good video

[@roryburdack7426]

the venco really is such a great design

[@maryroseczajka9630]

😢so those old wheels can be rebuilt, what a beautiful piece of art your mechanical tech skills are. Wow I would enjoy basic electrical work to rewire the power cord to the motor. Loved your throwing best of all

[@charmainehaegens6534]

This is one of the best you tube videos i have seen on wheel repairs EVER! Where are you located? I have just replaced my wheel drive and the wheel will not stop turning when turned on. I really need some advice or am happy to bring to you to have a look. I am in the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. AUS So mesmerising just watching without any words, your craftsmanship is unbelievable. True talent. Charmaine

[@keesstaps4606]

Great job

[@ZinniaRAWR]

Such a great video and with lovely results- not sure I could do it myself but definitely eye opening

[@ashd2799]

This was soooo helpful! Thanks!!!

[@yasmink3665]

Legend thank u

[@rotemkatz4]

Amazing vid! Thank you so much! Do you know where I can find these plastic/silicone rings you self made?

[@raytalbot5890]

Couldn’t you have put a grease fitting under the wheel, that you can grease on the regular?? 👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@GeoffandJulieMuir-bp9hj]

Loved the video. Thank you. I recently bought an old Venco in slightly better shape than that one and it needs some fixing, which I’d like to give it myself if I can. My first issue is understanding where the cone on the motor should be sitting when the wheel is at rest. My second issue is how to adjust the motor up or down so it sits in the right place: I can’t see how to make an adjustment. Do you know of any videos or photos or instructional material that might help? Cheers!

[@forgedandthrown]

Hey Geoff, I can help you out with some photos/ videos. Feel free to contact me via Instagram or Facebook.

[@GeoffandJulieMuir-bp9hj]

That would be great. Thank you so much. But I’m afraid I’m too tech-stupid to find you on Instagram or Facebook (I’ve searched on both). Could I ask you to link me please? Ta!

[@forgedandthrown]

@@GeoffandJulieMuir-bp9hj Try email me: [e-mail]

[@courtenaypruitt]

May I ask what you used to polish up the wheelhead? Thanks!!

[@forgedandthrown]

water and fine wet/dry sandpaper

[@markduyvesteyn]

Did you think about 3D printing new grommets rather than the lathe? Great video.

[@forgedandthrown]

Glad you liked it. While 3d printing grommets would be possible, I’m not sure the characteristics of PLA plastic would be favourable for that application. The ones I made are machined from particular type of nylon with good wear resistance/ uv resistance and in general should last longer than the stock ones which are prone to becoming brittle and disintegrating.

[@danikamattaboni5812]

In the first part you turned it on and jt was spinning for a leftie but then at the end it was spinning for a right handed thrower- how did you turn it to spin the opppsitie direction ?

[@forgedandthrown]

It is possible to change the wiring inside the motor to reverse the direction of the wheelhead. At the start of the video it spun the other way as the cone was contacting the incorrect side of the drive wheel (it was out of alignment.)

[@brooketh6232]

Hi! I have the same wheel, am having issues with getting it to run smoothly using the pedal, I need to push down fairly far to get it started but have barely any control with the speed (goes from stop to full pelt). Any tips?

[@forgedandthrown]

It sounds like it needs some adjustment in the angle of the motor. There are a couple of adjustment points. If you wish for me to service your wheel I’m quite happy to. Feel free to send me an email, check in the description for details. Thanks

[@Kirkscreamingsoda]

Any idea where I can buy an electric motor that's suitable for a pottery wheel?

[@lost_in_translation7520]

Try a treadmill motor. I know my old one was run by one

[@martapastor528]

Ven a vivir a mi casa