We've tried to outline as many FAQs as we can. If you have any further questions, please reach out to us at [email protected] or view our terms and conditions.
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Answering your FAQs about renting a pottery wheel
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Our pottery wheel rental process is simple and convenient, we have one type of pottery wheel to rent - the Nidec Shimpo Whisper-T. Every rental includes the Nidec Shimpo adjustable stool, bats and cleaning essentials.
1) Select your rental period. You can rent for a weekend, a week or for as many weeks as you like.
NB: We price in weekly blocks (7 days). To avoid stepping into the next week, choose a return time that’s the same or earlier than your start time
2). Add the item to your cart and proceed to checkout.
3) here you can choose how many wheels you would like to rent, if you would like to pickup the wheel/s from our Dairy Flat studio or you would like us to quote on delivery. We also ask your height if you are booking a Whisper-T so we can setup the wheel height to your requirements. The RK-55 comes with a fixed wheel height
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You can rent a Whisper-T or the RK-55 pottery wheel and potter's stool as long as you like. We have pricing for casual use - perfect for a weekend rental or for a week or two (Tier 1). Then we have pricing if you wish to rent for a month or more (Tier 2), or 2 months or more (Tier 3). NB: Pricing is determined by weekly increments.
Tiered Pricing Structure
Weekly rates are charged according to the length of your booking at the time it is made.The current tiers are:
1–3 weeks → $100 per week
4–7 weeks → $80 per week
8+ weeks → $70 per week
The $70 per week rate only applies once 8 weeks have been booked upfront or once a booking extends into its 8th week.All pricing includes GST and Stripe transaction fees.
Upfront Bookings
Your weekly rate is set when you make your booking.
For example, if you book 4 weeks upfront, the entire 4 weeks will be charged at $80 per week.
If you book 8 or more weeks upfront, the entire booking will be charged at $70 per week.
Extensions
Extensions are always subject to availability.
Any extension weeks are charged according to the tier that those additional weeks fall into.
Previous weeks are not recalculated if you extend your booking.
Example: Book 4 weeks ($80/week = $320). Extend for another 4 weeks → weeks 5–7 charged at $80, week 8 charged at $70.
Extensions must be paid in full before the additional rental period begins.
Discounts or tiered rates cannot be carried over to a new, separate booking.
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Your rental includes:
1 x Whisper-T or RK-55 pottery wheel
1 x adjustable potters' stool2 x Potters bats and 1 x chamois
1 x cloth, cleaning sponge & brush1 x large blue bucket for transport and cleaning
1 x surge protector
4 x tie down straps to secure wheel in your vehicle
We no longer take security deposits for our rentals, making it even easier for our renters to rent a pottery wheel. We do ask for 2 forms of identification - drivers license/passport and a recent utility bill. We will sight this at time of pickup/drop off and will photograph your license/passport.All bookings to be made by credit card Our terms apply to all bookings.
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Yes please 😊
The Pottery Wheel must be cleaned thoroughly during and after each use, and returned clean. This is outlined in detail in our terms and conditions, and a handy cleaning info sheet will be provided at time of rental.
In particular:
The Wheelhead: We ask that the wheelhead is kept dry and clean while not in use. eg: the wheelhead should be cleaned every day, at the end of your pottery session. Normal wear and tear of the wheelhead is fine. Minor water staining, and minor tool scratching is acceptable. A bat and chamois is provided to reduce this damage and to keep our wheelheads nice and shiny for all renters :) If you wish to use sharp tools against the wheelhead, please use the provided bat
The splashpan: like the wheelhead, needs to be cleaned at the end of each pottery session, by removing the slip and water, and then by taking the splashpan apart and cleaning it. The splashpan is NOT leakproof.
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This is outlined fully in the terms and conditions. But in summary, The Renter of the Equipment from potter&dabble, is fully responsible, for any loss, theft or damage (including accidental) that occurs whilst they have possession of the Equipment. This responsibility occurs from the time they have signed the rental form on pickup/delivery to when the pottery wheel is returned/picked up and signed for by a team member at potter&dabble.
For example, if you throw clay directly on the wheelhead and don't remove it for days or even weeks, the clay over time will start to damage the wheelhead. We will charge a $50 cleaning fee when the wheel is return - this is a 30min labour charge. If it appears the damage done to the wheelhead will takes longer than 1.5hrs to repair, the cost of a new wheelhead of $150 will be charged. This will be discussed with the renter, and $150 will taken off your security deposit.
We ask that the wheelhead is kept dry and clean while not in use. The wheelhead should be cleaned every day, at the end of your pottery session. Normal wear and tear of the wheelhead is fine. Minor water staining, and tool scratching is acceptable. A bat and chamois is provided to reduce this damage and to keep our wheelheads nice and shiny for all renters :)
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Yes! We ask that you have either completed or in the process of completing a beginner’s course using a pottery wheel. There are some amazing classes available throughout the Auckland area. If you are a total beginner and are desperate to rent a wheel, please get in touch at [email protected]. We are able to offer a one-off introduction one-on-one session in our studio for $80, based in Dairy Flat. Bookings essential.
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Of course you can. Its rather fun including the entire household, bring some friends together for an pottery party at your house, or rent for a corporate function or event.
If you would like to rent a few wheels for an event, please get in touch. We can assist with delivery, setup, packdown, cleaning. We also have a range of clays and tools available.
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Please visit our contact us page for our pickup and return times.
If you would prefer to pickup outside of these hours, please get in touch, we are happy to make it work if we can [email protected]
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PICKUP: Potter&dabble is based in Dairy Flat, Auckland. You are more than welcome to come and pick up your rental. The wheel must be carried by two people. We can provide one person at our end, please ensure you are able to provide either yourself or someone else to help lift the wheel.
The wheel must be secured in your car using tie downs straps. 4 tie down straps are included with every wheel. Feel free to bring additional straps if required.
Please view full terms and conditions to understand about your obligations during transport and looking after the wheel.
DELIVERY: We are also more than happy to deliver the pottery wheel and stool to your property, and also pick up the equipment after the rental period is finished. You can add this into the checkout when booking a wheel if your suburb is listed, or simply place a note in the booking and we will be in touch to quote your delivery.
The pottery wheel weights 45kgs, and needs to be carried by 2 people. We ask that someone assists us in carrying the wheel from the vehicle into your home. If this isn't possible, or you need us to carry it upstairs or through tight areas please let us know as we can quote and organise for an additional resource to come with us.
Unfortunately we don't do deliveries outside the Auckland region at this stage.
NB: We are based in Dairy Flat, so set pricing has been worked out from our location in Dairy Flat.
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Great news! We no longer take security deposits for our rentals, making it even easier for our renters to rent a pottery wheel.
We do ask for 2 forms of identification - drivers license/passport and a recent utility bill. We will sight this at time of pickup/drop off and will photograph your license/passport.
All bookings to be made by credit card
Our terms apply to all bookings.
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Nidec Shimpo Whisper-T
- Super quiet – as the name suggests, the Whisper-T records only 30 decibels while in use! Set up your wheel in the dining room, laundry, or spare room and enjoy without disturbing the household.
- Adjustable comfort – 5 leg height settings, plus the option to remove the legs entirely and place on a tabletop. No more hunching over the wheel!
- Foot pedal sensitivity – fully adjustable for your preferred throwing experience.
- Powerful motor – direct drive DC brushless 300W motor with electric speed control, offering responsiveness, high torque at all speeds, and smooth operation without vibrations. Super quiet
- Easy to clean – 2-piece removable splash pan.
- Centering capacity – impressive 20kg. Great if you want to rent before buying your own wheel.
- Wheelhead direction – clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation.
- Dimensions – 750mm wide (including removable side tables) × 572mm long; height adjustable from 275mm (tabletop) to full leg height of 580mm. Ideal if you’re tall.
- Wheelhead size – 300mm, great for most creations.
- Weights 45kg and is a 2 person lift. if you are after portability or need to be able to move the wheel yourself, suggest renting the RK-55
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Our Nidec Shimpo Adjustable potters' stool is the perfect match when renting one of our pottery wheels.
The legs are fully adjustable, with 8 height settings, and the option to 'tilt' the stool to relieve pain in the lower back.
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The Whisper-T: By removing the white splashpan and white side tables for transport the specifications of the pottery wheel is 52cm wide x 55cm deep and approx 60cm high (depends on the height requested to set the pottery wheel to).
The RK-55: is one until without the ability to remove the legs or table. 560mm (W) × 720mm (L) × 540mm (H)
The pottery wheel needs to be secured through the use of tie down straps. Please provide your own if you have them at home, or let us know at time of booking as we have some available.
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The Whisper-T: Fully operational and setup with splashpan and side tables, the pottery wheel specs are 80cm wide x 1m deep x 60cm high. This allow room for both the wheel and stool.
The RK-55: 560mm (W) × 720mm (L) × 540mm (H). Please note that stool space is additional
The wheel plugs into your home's standard AC outlet, and needs 5A to run. Standard household circuits are 10A.
We have a great blog article able setup of your pottery wheel at home
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Nidec Shimpo RK-55
The RK-55 is the small, lightweight, portable wheel, designed for home use, schools, or community groups. Lightweight yet sturdy, it’s easy to transport, set up, and enjoy anywhere.
- Portable & lightweight – 23kg, easy to move between spaces or transport to workshops.
- Quiet & smooth motor – belt drive with automatic tensioning for a comfortable, steady throwing experience. NB: if you are after a very quiet wheel, we recommend choosing the Whisper-T.
- Remote foot pedal – corded 1.8m, giving you a flexible and comfortable throwing position.
- Wheelhead direction – clockwise or counter-clockwise switch, reversible to suit your preference.
- Centering capacity – up to 12kg max, ideal for small to medium-sized pieces. I personally notice the difference when throwing over 2kgs. If this is you, try and rent the Whisper-T instead
- Wheelhead size – 30cm alloy casting.
- Large working table – provides plenty of space for your tools, clay, and creative process. NB: this is fixed to the wheel.
- Dimensions – 560mm (W) × 720mm (L) × 540mm (H). NB: leg height cannot be adjusted; set to medium-low height. If you have a small space for transport or storage, check these measurements against the Whisper-T. The Whisper-T is smaller with splashpan and side wings removed