Shimpo Aspire and Speedball Artista Side by Side

A review of the Shimpo Aspire and Speedball Artista table top pottery wheels side by side with pros and cons.
Power, bats ect.
Speedball folding legs

[@xm3364]

Thank you very much for in-depth explanation of the 2. Good to know that shimpo can handle up to 5 pounds clay. Although would like to make platter or large plate and Shimpo maybe smaller to accommodate? Another thing is the batpins- are they less than 10in apart?

[@curlytailstudio9533]

The head on the aspire is only 7 inches, and it's difficult to get more than a 10 inch bat on it. With a rim of course you can go larger.

[@CookbooksonRepeat]

Thank you for this! I’m waivering between getting a tabletop to save space or moving up to the clay boss or shimpo VL- Lite. I’d love to get the whisper lite but it’s weight and price are obstacles. My teacher tells me not to get a tabletop bc I could grow out of it after a year? Not sure what to do.

[@curlytailstudio9533]

Yes you could outgrow a tabletop faster than other wheels. The VL-wisper lite is a fancy table top to be honest, but it a little nicer. Part of why the big wheels can center so much clay, is the weight of the wheel (like clayboss) preventing wobble. Having said that the nice thing about anything with legs built-in is that you don't have to worry about a stable surface to put it on.

[@potterymom1]

I was given an artista wheel and it is an old one. I was going to replace the wheel head, but there is no pin or allen wrench bolt on my model... any idea on how it I can get the wheel head off?

[@AllanRisk]

I just saw in a separate review (kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWabo4mrZb6kmqMsi=wH1yuVO1KAiDYhk0) that the Artista wheel head is NOT removable. In fact, the reviewer's main complaint was that the Artists really not at all serviceable.

[@silentsnipe215]

I wanted to get either one of these for my wife. She would probably be making mugs, cups and small bowls if anything. If you had to choose one which one do you feel is the better way to go?

[@curlytailstudio9533]

It's different for everyone. The shimpo is smaller with easy clean up. The speedball is a little larger, with more batt options. Your not going wrong with either. But for my studio it tends to be more speedball than shimpo.

[@silentsnipe215]

@@curlytailstudio9533 Thank you for the very fast response. The Speedball seemed to be what I was leaning towards just b/c of it being slightly bigger. There are also a lot more videos of the Shimpo that I could find over the artista. I like the compact form factor of the Shimpo to, seems like it could be easier to lug around. Again thank you for you video and your advice about these machines.

[@mansit1645]

Thank you for sharing. Can I ask you a question. Do you know the speedball 7’5 square bats will fit on the Shimpo Aspire wheel ?

[@curlytailstudio9533]

Unfortunately no. The wheel head on the shimpo is only 7 inches. The bat pins are less than 6 inches. However some brands like Dirtygirl make bats that can be used for them.

[@RichMiniatures]

PLEASE could you answer a question for me? I've just bought the Shimpo Aspire. When the wheel starts turning, there is a quiet "tapping" sound coming from the motor. When it gets faster and to full speed, the tapping sound is more prominent (and slightly annoying). Could you please let me know if your Shimpos also have this tapping sound, or if you can only here the normal constant hum of the motor? Kind regards, Richard.

[@curlytailstudio9533]

No none of mine make any tapping noise (We have 3) from the moters. However if the bat pins are not fully free of dry clay I find the bat does not seat all the way causing a clicking. If it's not that I would call the shop you bought it from.

[@RichMiniatures]

@@curlytailstudio9533 I just got it today and haven't used any clay on it yet, because of the tapping. I'll give them a call tomorrow. Many thanks for letting me know about yours!

[@wadewoehrmann2835]

You have had 3 Aspires - did the first two wear out, or did you sell then get another??

[@curlytailstudio9533]

Neither. I teach so these are the wheels I use for beginners to learn on. They all take a beating. All of them are still running without any issue.

[@bryanp9238]

What is the max weight that the artista can handle comfortably?

[@curlytailstudio9533]

It says 25pounds on the info, but in reality I found 10-15 was more accurate

[@brendadevall7471]

What is the table you are using with the Shimpo on it?

[@curlytailstudio9533]

That is just a plywood top big enough for the wheel to sit on and 4x4 or 2 2x4 legs to the hight that I wanted. I find for most about 18 inches tall is about what is needed. However you can make it match the chair hight too.