Kiln Crafts Daisy Wheel vs Gladstone Bailey: Pottery Wheel Showdown

Choosing the right pottery wheel can be tricky. Two popular options in the UK are the Kiln Crafts Daisy Wheel and the Gladstone Bailey G34. Both have cool features for potters of all levels, but they're quite different. Let's compare them to help you decide which one might be best for you. We'll look at how they're built, how they work, and who they're good for.

Design and Build Quality

The Kiln Crafts Daisy Wheel is made of strong aluminum, making it tough but light. It's small, so it's great for home studios or tight spaces. You can move it around easily, and it won't rust. This wheel is perfect if you need to set up in different places or have a small room for your pottery.

The Gladstone Bailey G34 is built differently. It has a special laser-cut frame that makes it super stable. This means it won't shake much when you're using it, even at high speeds. It's bigger and heavier than the Daisy Wheel, so it's better for staying in one place. If you want to make big pots or work for a long time, the Bailey G34 might be better.

The Daisy Wheel is really easy to use, which is great if you're just starting out. Everything is easy to reach and understand. It's like the beginner-friendly bike of pottery wheels. The Bailey G34 is more like a professional racing bike - it has more complicated features that experienced potters will love, like a bigger work area and extra stability for making large pieces.

Motor Power and Performance

The Kiln Crafts Daisy Wheel has a 200W motor. It's like a steady, reliable car engine. It keeps a smooth speed and can go from 0 to 300 RPM (rotations per minute). This is good for most pottery projects, whether you're making delicate decorations or throwing a pot. It's also pretty quiet, which is nice if you're working at home.

The Gladstone Bailey G34 has a stronger motor - 0.5Hp (about 373W). It's like a sports car engine. It can go up to 280 RPM, but what's really cool is that it can maintain its power even when you're working with a lot of clay. This is great for professional potters who make big pieces or work for long hours.

Both wheels let you control the speed well, but they're good for different things. The Daisy Wheel might be better if you like making smaller, detailed pieces. The Bailey G34 is great if you often work with lots of clay or need consistent power for a long time.

Wheel Head and Clay Capacity

The wheel head is where you put your clay. The Kiln Crafts Daisy Wheel has a 28cm (11-inch) wheel head. This is good for most normal pottery projects. You can use up to 5kg of clay on it, which is perfect for making things like mugs, bowls, and small vases. It's great for beginners and people who make medium-sized pots.

The Gladstone Bailey G34 has a bigger 12-inch wheel head. This extra space is really helpful if you want to make larger things or work on several pieces at once. It can handle much more clay - probably around 20kg or more. This is awesome if you want to make big platters, large vases, or lots of pots at the same time.

Both wheels let you use bats, which are like removable plates that make it easier to take your finished pot off the wheel. The Daisy Wheel comes with a special bat tower, which is super helpful for beginners who might find it tricky to remove wet clay from the wheel.

The Bailey G34 lets you customize your wheel head more. This is great for professional potters who might have special techniques or want to make unusual shapes.

Ergonomics and Comfort

Comfort is really important when you're making pottery, especially if you do it for a long time. The Kiln Crafts Daisy Wheel can be adjusted to different heights (40-50cm). This means you can make it just right for you, whether you're tall or short. You can also switch between sitting and standing easily.

The Gladstone Bailey G34 is set up in a special way that's good for your body. The wheel head is at a height that makes it comfortable to work for a long time. This is really helpful if you have back problems or spend hours making pottery. It helps you sit in a good position without having to bend or reach too much.

Both wheels have foot pedals to control the speed, like a car's gas pedal. The Bailey G34's pedal is really smooth and precise, which experienced potters love. The Daisy Wheel's pedal is simpler but still easy to use, especially for beginners who are just learning how to control the wheel with their foot.

Additional Features and Accessories

The Kiln Crafts Daisy Wheel has some cool extras that are great for beginners. It has built-in safety features to protect it from electrical problems. It also comes with some free pottery tools made with rosewood handles. This means you can start making pottery right away without having to buy extra tools.

Another neat thing about the Daisy Wheel is that it can spin in both directions. This is good for left-handed and right-handed people. It can also be useful for certain pottery techniques.

The Gladstone Bailey G34 has features that professional potters will like. It has a big splash tray to catch clay and water, keeping your work area clean. It's also very quiet, which is nice if you're working in a shared space or at home.

Both wheels let you add extra accessories. For the Daisy Wheel, you can get things like different bats or tool holders from Kiln Crafts' pottery wheel accessories. The Bailey G34 can be customized even more, with special tools and attachments that professional potters often use.

Price and Value for Money

The Kiln Crafts Daisy Wheel costs £999 (it used to be £1,499). This is a good price for a quality wheel, especially for beginners or people who don't want to spend too much. It's like getting a good starter guitar - it has everything you need to learn and grow, without being too expensive.

The Gladstone Bailey G34 is more expensive at £1,669. It's like a professional instrument - it costs more but has advanced features that serious potters will appreciate. If you're planning to make pottery your job or spend a lot of time doing it, this might be worth the extra money.

When thinking about which one is better value, consider how much you'll use it and what you want to make. The Daisy Wheel is great if you're just starting out or do pottery as a hobby. The Bailey G34 is an investment for people who want to do pottery seriously or professionally.

Who Should Choose Each Wheel?

The Kiln Crafts Daisy Wheel is great for:

• Beginners and people still learning pottery
• Those with small spaces or who need to move their wheel around
• Hobbyists who enjoy pottery in their free time
• People who want a good wheel without spending too much
• Schools or community centers where different people might use it
• Those who mostly make small to medium-sized pots

The Gladstone Bailey G34 is better for:

• Professional potters or those who want to become professionals
• People who make large pots or use a lot of clay
• Those who spend many hours making pottery and need a comfortable setup
• Studios or schools that need a tough wheel for heavy use
• Experienced potters looking for advanced features
• Those who want precise control over their wheel

Conclusion: Making Your Choice

Both the Kiln Crafts Daisy Wheel and the Gladstone Bailey G34 are great pottery wheels, but they're suited for different people. The Daisy Wheel is perfect if you're new to pottery or don't have much space. It's affordable and comes with everything you need to start. The Bailey G34 is ideal if you're serious about pottery and want a wheel that can handle anything you throw at it (pun intended!).

Think about what kind of pottery you want to make, how often you'll use the wheel, and how much space you have. If you're just starting out or pottery is a hobby, the Daisy Wheel is a great choice. If you want to make pottery your career or need a wheel that can work hard all day, every day, the Bailey G34 might be worth the extra cost.

Remember, the best pottery wheel is the one that makes you excited to create. You can find more information about these and other wheels at Kiln Crafts' pottery wheel collection. Don't be afraid to ask experienced potters for advice or try out different wheels if you can. Whatever you choose, have fun and enjoy making pottery!