Tuesday, November 20, 2012

An Unknown Electric Wheel-Now Known-Pottery Maker by B&I Mfg.

Pottery Maker by B&I Mfg. Burlington, Wis. 1950s-1960s

 
 
I know the picture is very dark, but it was dark outside. In any case, I had a heck of a time finding any information on this wheel. After the label being painstakingly separated from the paint, it was was determined the label read; Pottery Maker by B&I Mfg. Burlington, Wis. This company is no longer in business, but it looks like they sold all sorts of things from crafting supplies to farm implements to who knows what else.

They also sold Gem Makers using pretty much the same setup. They were advertised in Popular Mechanic magazines from the 1950s to the 1960s. The wheel sold for $36.50 and the bench sold separately for $22.50 in the June 1957 issue. You also had to purchase the motor separately and assemble the bench.

The motor works well, the wheel seems to be in good order. I am not sure how long I will be able to use this thing, but for now it will be fun cleaning it up and putting it to good use until something else comes along.

Remember those old Sears Roebuck catalogs - you could buy this from there. Looks like the Gem Maker was much more popular than the Pottery Makers. I haven't really found too much on the actual Pottery Maker version, but the Gem Maker is a good match with lots of other accessories.

Anyone else out there with the Pottery Maker version? Anyone have one at one time? Curious to hear your stories/thoughts. I have added additional photos below...






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10 comments:

  1. UnknownDecember 19, 2012 at 10:54 AM

    I have a curious question... What kind of bats do you use on yours? The one page of instructions I got with ours said the throwing head is reversible...you can flip it over to use Plaster Bats. BUT it doesn't say how to flip it over, and like you I can't find any information on the net. Have you tried flipping the head? I was thinking of trying to use a wheel puller to break it free, but what if it screws on and I damage the head...

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    1. UnknownDecember 29, 2012 at 9:22 AM

      Still figuring out this whole blogger thing...guess I should have replied to your post rather than create a new comment...but I did finally respond to your inquiry...:)

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  2. UnknownDecember 29, 2012 at 9:22 AM

    Hi Lawerence...sorry I haven't replied before now...I haven't used any bats...lol I have been throwing right on the throwing head. I have found some things about our machine though. I located a pdf file...that contained several pages of instructions on the machines. The wheel, motor and parts to make the seating structure were all sold separately. My father-in-law actually picked up the gem maker version of the pottery maker and we were hoping there might be come interchangeable parts...the bearings though are very different between the two machines...I have mine torn apart right now and we are going through it. The motor on the gem maker is in excellent condition - while the one that came with my find works well, I am thankful for a spare motor. I will get back with you on more information...need to see if I can attach a link to that pdf file for you. It's a great little machine... I think I have plans for the seat/platform that mine had built by a previous owner...it is very nice and perfect! I hope you and your wife enjoy your machine as much as I am enjoying ming!

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  3. UnknownAugust 16, 2013 at 2:55 PM

    I picked one up in Pasadena recently from YoKo Cohen's estate. (apart) I have never seen a pulley-drive wheel before. Thanks to your photos & pdf, I can put it back together, maybe with a few home-made parts. That makes it fun. Will keep you posted.

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  4. UnknownJune 4, 2019 at 1:37 AM

    I just got one of these, new in the box. Did anyone figure out how to turn the wheel over to make bats? I'm looking g for the proper motor now.

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    1. UnknownSeptember 17, 2019 at 2:47 PM

      new in box....how old is it.... I have this same wheel only mines says it was made by a division of sign press company out of adrian michigan but it is same thing....

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  5. AmyAugust 6, 2020 at 5:13 AM

    I just bought one of these the other day and I love all the quirks! I found tiny holes for bat pins and I’m hoping I can use the square bats with it. I threw a couple of pieces on the wheel and it did great. Are you able to share the manufacturing information you found?

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  6. AmyAugust 6, 2020 at 5:13 AM

    I just bought one the other day used and it still runs great. I love how quirky it is. I found little holes for bat pins so I am hoping I can use the small square ones with it. I threw a couple of times right on the wheel and it did great. Are you able to share the manufacturing information you found?

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  7. AmyAugust 6, 2020 at 5:13 AM

    I just bought one the other day used and it still runs great. I love how quirky it is. I found little holes for bat pins so I am hoping I can use the small square ones with it. I threw a couple of times right on the wheel and it did great. Are you able to share the manufacturing information you found?

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  8. UnknownOctober 16, 2021 at 7:38 AM

    I just bought one . Would like to find the owners manual for it

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