- Brent vs Speedball here means the Brent Model B against Speedball's Clay Boss and Artista. Brent has only two items in our catalogue: the wheel and its splash pan.
- The Model B lists the highest centering capacity of any wheel in our catalogue (150 lb continuously), with an all-steel frame and automatic belt tensioning.
- The Clay Boss gives you a bigger 14" head, a foot pedal, a 0–240 rpm range and a listed 10-year warranty. Brent's listing leaves out horsepower, rpm, pedal and warranty.
- Pick Brent if you want the heaviest-duty frame and capacity. Pick the Clay Boss for a fuller published spec sheet. Pick the Artista if you need a portable tabletop.
Brent vs Speedball is the classic studio-wheel comparison. Both names are common in school ceramics rooms, and both make wheels people keep for decades. Brent wheels are made by AMACO. Speedball sells its wheels alongside its clay tools and underglazes.
Brent has only two products in our catalogue: the Model B wheel and a splash pan made for Brent wheels. So this is an honest one-wheel-versus-two comparison. We put the Model B against Speedball's floor wheel, the Clay Boss, and mention the tabletop Artista where it changes the answer. Everything below comes from the listings, and "not listed" means exactly that.
Brent
All-steel Model B with a 12" head, rated for 150 lb continuously, plus its own splash pan
Picks from each side
Brent
Brent Model B Pottery Wheel
- Wheel head
- 12 inches
- Centering capacity
- 150 lbs. continuously
- Reverse
- Reversible electronic speed control
Best for Long-term home or studio use
Brent Polyethylene Splash Pan, Yellow
- Size
- 17-1/2 x 4-1/2 Inches
- Fits
- All Brent Potters Wheels
- Construction
- Two-piece, snaps together
Best for Brent wheel owners
Speedball
Speedball Clay Boss Pottery Wheel, 0.5 HP, 14"
- Motor
- .5 HP
- Wheel head
- 14"
- Centering capacity
- up to 100lb
Best for Committed hobbyists throwing larger work
Speedball Artista Potter's Wheel, 1/3 HP, 11"
- Motor
- 1/3 HP
- Wheel head
- 11"
- Centering capacity
- 25lb
Best for Home studios with limited space
Brent vs Speedball: the spec sheet
The spec table pulls the exact listed values. Brent lists capacity and construction. Speedball lists motor power, speed and controls. Neither listing gives you the full picture.
| Product | Wheel head | Centering capacity | Motor | Speed | Reverse | Control | Construction | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brent Model B Pottery Wheel | 12 inches | 150 lbs. continuously | — | — | Reversible electronic speed control | — | All-steel | — |
| Speedball Clay Boss Pottery Wheel, 0.5 HP, 14" | 14" | up to 100lb | .5 HP | 0-240 rpm | Reversing plug | — | — | 10 year |
| Speedball Artista Potter's Wheel, 1/3 HP, 11" | 11" | 25lb | 1/3 HP | 0-220 rpm | — | Variable speed hand control | — | — |
Specs as listed by the maker or seller; check the listing before you buy.
Brent Model B vs Speedball Clay Boss, point by point
| Brent Model B | Speedball Clay Boss | |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel head | 12" | 14" |
| Centering capacity | ✓ 150 lb continuously | ✓ Up to 100 lb |
| Motor rating | ✗ Not listed | ✓ 0.5 HP |
| Speed range | ✗ Not listed | ✓ 0–240 rpm |
| Holds speed under load | ✓ "Maximum torque", both directions | ✓ Load-sensing control |
| Reverse | ✓ Reversible electronic control | ✓ Reversing plug |
| Foot pedal | ~ Not listed | ✓ Foot pedal |
| Frame | ✓ All-steel, solid table | ~ Polyethylene tabletop (frame not listed) |
| Drive | ✓ 6-groove poly-v belt, automatic tensioning | ~ Not listed |
| Splash pan | ~ Sold separately (two-piece) | ✓ Two-part pan listed |
| Warranty in listing | ✗ Not listed | ✓ 10 years |
Source: Manufacturer listing data, Clay at Home catalogue
Centering capacity and wheel head size
Capacity is where the Model B stands out. Brent lists it as handling 150 lb continuously. That is half again the Clay Boss's "up to 100 lb" and six times the Artista's 25 lb. "Continuously" suggests a duty rating rather than a short peak, but Brent does not explain how it measures it. Treat the comparison as a guide, not a lab result.
Listed centering capacity
Pounds of clay, as each listing states it
Do you need 150 lb? Probably not in year one. A mug starts from about a pound of clay, a dinner plate from a few pounds. Capacity starts to matter when you throw large pieces, throw off the hump (one big lump, many small pots), or share the wheel with a heavier-handed potter.
Listed wheel head diameter
Inches
The head size cuts the other way. The Clay Boss's 14" head gives you more room for wide bats and platters. The Model B's 12" head is still a full-size wheel head and takes standard 12" bats. Check your bats' pin spacing either way; our best wheel bats roundup covers it.
Build, drive and controls
Brent's listing reads like a durability pitch: all-steel construction, a solid table and automatic belt tensioning that keeps the 6-groove poly-v drive belt tight. A belt that stays tight is one less thing to adjust over the years. Its reversible electronic speed control is described as giving "maximum torque and smooth response" in both directions.
Speedball's Clay Boss listing focuses on use. It has a foot pedal with smooth variable speed from 0 to 240 rpm, a reversing plug, load-sensing control that holds speed as the load changes, and an easy-clean polyethylene tabletop with a two-part splash pan. Speedball does not describe the frame or drive.
What the Brent listing does not tell you
There is no horsepower, rpm range, pedal or warranty in the Model B listing. These are normal things to know before buying a full-size wheel, so ask the seller or check Brent's own spec page. If a pedal is your must-have, confirm it ships with the wheel rather than as an add-on.
The splash pan question
Brent sells a two-piece splash pan made for all Brent wheels. It measures 17-1/2" x 4-1/2", mounts under the top bearing housing and snaps together with no bolts or pins. The listing calls it polyethylene in the title and polypropylene in the description, so check the listing if the material matters to you. The Model B listing does not say a pan is included. The Clay Boss lists a two-part pan.
The tabletop option: Speedball Artista
Brent has no tabletop wheel in our catalogue, so if you need something you can lift onto a table and put away, Speedball wins by default. The Artista has an 11" head, a 1/3 HP motor, 0–220 rpm on a hand control, 25 lb capacity and a two-part splash pan. Its listed footprint is 30" x 22". It suits small rooms and shared spaces. See the small space hub for the rest of an apartment setup.
The trade-off is capacity and controls. A hand lever instead of a pedal, and no listed reverse. For mugs, bowls and small vases, that is a fair trade for a wheel you can store.
Common mistakes when picking a studio wheel
- Chasing the biggest capacity number. The Model B's 150 lb rating is impressive, but you will not feel the difference between 100 and 150 lb on a 2 lb mug.
- Skipping the questions a listing does not answer. Get the Model B's horsepower, pedal and warranty in writing before you compare it with the Clay Boss.
- Forgetting the splash pan. Without one, slurry ends up on the walls, then dries into dust on the floor.
- Sweeping dried clay. Sweeping puts silica dust in the air. Mop or use a HEPA vacuum. Our studio safety guide explains why.
- Placing the wheel far from water. You will carry buckets every session. Plan the spot with the home studio setup guide.
Who should choose Brent, and who should choose Speedball?
| If you… | Brent Model B | Speedball Clay Boss | Speedball Artista |
|---|---|---|---|
| Want the sturdiest listed frame | ✓ All-steel | ~ Not described | ✗ Lightweight by design |
| Throw big or off the hump | ✓ 150 lb | ✓ 100 lb | ✗ 25 lb |
| Need full published specs | ✗ HP, rpm missing | ✓ Most listed | ✓ Most listed |
| Want a 14" head | ✗ 12" | ✓ 14" | ✗ 11" |
| Need to store the wheel | ✗ Floor wheel | ✗ Floor wheel | ✓ Portable |
| Value a listed warranty | ✗ Not listed | ✓ 10 years | ✗ Not listed |
Still deciding between a studio wheel and something cheaper? VEVOR vs Speedball covers budget tabletop wheels, and Speedball vs Shimpo puts the Clay Boss against the quiet VL-Whisper.
Other options worth a look
Three wheels from other brands fill the gaps around Brent and Speedball. Shimpo's VL-Whisper is a full-size 14" wheel built around a quiet brushless DC motor. VEVOR's 450W tabletop ships with 11" and 14" heads. Alldeer's PW103MAX is an 11" 350W brushless wheel with a listed 15 kg (about 33 lb) load. A Giffin Grip makes trimming faster on any of them.
Shimpo VL-Whisper Potter's Wheel
- Motor
- Brushless DC
- Wheel head
- 14 inches
- Reverse
- Reversible
Best for Potters who want a quiet full-size wheel
VEVOR 450W Tabletop Pottery Wheel, 11" & 14" Heads
- Motor
- 450W
- Wheel head
- 11" and 14" turntables
- Centering capacity
- up to 11 lbs of clay
Best for Beginners setting up a tabletop wheel at home
Alldeer PW103MAX 11" 350W Pottery Wheel Kit
- Motor
- 350W brushless
- Wheel head
- 11 inch
- Centering capacity
- 15kg clay loads
Best for Adult beginners wanting a full-size head
Giffin Grip Model 10 Trimming Chuck
- Size
- 14 inches
- Includes
- Rods and sliders
Best for Potters who trim a lot
See every wheel in the pottery wheels category, or start from best pottery wheels for home use.
How we compared
This comparison uses manufacturer listings and published specs only. We did not throw on, time or teardown-inspect any wheel. Missing figures are marked "not listed". Listings change, so check the current one before you order.