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Our pottery wheel rental process is simple and convenient. We have 3 different types of pottery wheels to rent, depending on your requirements: the Whisper-T (sturdy & quiet, but a 2 person lift), the RK-55: lightweight at 23kgs and portable, and also the mini Aspire Table Top pottery wheel, all manufactured by Nidec Shimpo. 

1) Select your rental period. We have 3 main rates available - a casual weekly rate (perfect if you want to rent just for a few days, a week or a couple of weeks), then our 4 and 8 week rates.

When booking, choose how many weeks you’d like. Your return date is set automatically so you get the full rental period. If you need to return the wheel earlier, add your preferred date in the comments at checkout. The rental price stays the same.

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.

Rental prices depend on the wheel and how many weeks you book. You can see the current weekly, 4-week and 8-week rates on our pottery wheel rental page.

You can also choose other rental lengths. Select the number of weeks you’d like and click OK to see your total price on the next screen, before completing your booking.

Each wheel rental includes the pottery wheel, an adjustable stool, bats suited to that wheel, and basic cleaning supplies and care instructions. Clay and beginner tools can be purchased separately.

The exact accessories differ between the Whisper-T, RK-55 and Aspire Mini. You can see the full list on each wheel’s booking page.

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 (rates or power 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 via our website potteranddabble.co.nz. Our terms apply to all bookings.

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:

Looking after & cleaning the Wheelhead

At the end of each throwing session, please:

• turn off the power switch
• wipe down the wheelhead using the damp sponge provided, then dry the wheelhead using the soft cloth provided (Do NOT pour water onto the wheel or use a hose at any time to clean the wheel).

Please do NOT leave clay sitting on the wheelhead for hours or overnight, as this can cause corrosion.

Don’t worry if you notice black liquid coming out of the wheelhead, this is normal, and designed to protect it. It won’t impact your piece, and just wipes clean.

Cleaning the Splashpan

View our splashpan setup guide

• The splashpan is NOT leakproof. It is NOT designed to hold large amounts of water. Please clean it regularly during and after each use.
• Use a container to place the slurry, slip, and clay bits into for recycling. — please don’t tip this down the sink or into drains.
• Wipe the splashpan with the provided damp sponge, then separate splashpan A and B to clean thoroughly.
• Please don’t leave the splashpan outside in the sun.

If in doubt, just give us a call 021 252 3771. Always happy to help

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 be charged to your credit card.

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 :)

Storage of Equipment:

The equipment must be stored inside - either in a house or enclosed garage that is fully waterproof. When not in use, please keep the foot pedal & plug off the ground (place onto the top of the wheel - but not on the wheelhead)

Power usage:

Connect the power cable to a 230V single phase AC power outlet NB: The Whisper-T uses 5A. Please don’t run other electrical equipment off the same circuit.

Our terms and conditions cover many examples. If in doubt, just contact us in the first instance. 

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

If you’d rather get started on a pottery wheel at home and learn as you go, I can sometimes arrange a private two-hour introduction before your wheel rental. We’ll go through the basic steps of using the wheel, then spend time on removing the clay, cleaning up and caring for the wheel.

You’ll use the wheel you’re renting during the session and can take it home afterwards. This is an introduction to help you get started, rather than a full beginner course.

Two-hour introduction — $195

Please get in touch with me first so we can arrange a time. I’ll organise payment for the introduction directly with you. You’ll then book and pay for the wheel rental separately through the website.

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.

The RK-55s are ideal for group sessions as they are easy to setup and move around. They also draw less power than the Whisper-Ts

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]

PICKUP: Potter&dabble is based in Dairy Flat, Auckland. You are more than welcome to come and pick up your rental from our home studio. If you are renting a Whisper-T, these wheels are a 2-person lift. 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. If you can't, just let us know, we can adjust your pickup time to ensure we have an additional resource at this end to help lift.

The wheel must be secured in your car using tie downs straps. 2 tie down straps are included with every wheel, and additional straps available if required. Feel free to bring additional straps if you prefer to use your own, or your vehicle boot isn't standard. 

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 pick up the equipment after the rental period is finished. There is an option at checkout to let us know if you would like to pick up the wheel or have delivery quoted. We will be in touch with a delivery quote within 24 hours. If you would like a quote before booking, just email us at [email protected].

We charge $1.30 per km for travel. For delivery and collection, this means two round trips from Dairy Flat to your home and back to Dairy Flat. For longer trips, we may also allow for our time in the quote.

The times shown on the website when you book are a guide for delivery and collection. We’ll confirm the actual times with you. Deliveries are usually arranged from 11am onwards, and arrival times may vary depending on traffic. We’ll let you know if we’re running late.

The Whisper-T pottery wheel weighs 45kg and needs to be carried by two people. We ask that someone assists us in carrying the wheel between the vehicle and your home. If this isn’t possible, or you need us to carry it upstairs or through tight areas, please let us know so we can quote and organise an additional person to come with us.

Unfortunately, we don’t offer delivery outside the Auckland region at this stage.

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. 

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

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 or Aspire mini tabletop pottery wheel.
  

Our Nidec Shimpo Adjustable potters' stool is the perfect match when renting one of our pottery wheels. The come with all Whisper-T & RK-55 bookings

The legs are fully adjustable, with 8 height settings, and the option to 'tilt' the stool to relieve pain in the lower back. This option seriously works, and urge anyone with lower back pain to give these stools a go.

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 unit, without the ability to remove the legs or table.  560mm (W) × 720mm (L) × 540mm (H)

The Mini Aspire, and Frema Slab roller sit nicely in the back seat or boot and don't need to be strapped down. 

The pottery wheel needs to be secured through the use of tie down straps. We will provide 2 down straps with your booking, and have additional here if required. If you would like to use your own or have a non-standard vehicle, please bring additional straps.

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 Whisper-T wheel plugs into your home's standard AC outlet, and needs 5A to run. Standard household circuits are 10A, so we recommend not running additional electrical appliciances from the same circult at the same time

The RK-55 only use 0.5A, so great if you are using multiple wheels or running a heater and heat gun at the same time

We have a great blog article able setup of your pottery wheel at home