Shimpo RK 55 Pottery Wheel

Shimpo RK 55 pottery wheel: the established entry level wheel for studios and schools

For years, the RK 55 has been the solid, belt driven base wheel in the Shimpo range. It is made for places where many hands work at the same wheel and reliability matters more than the last bit of power. Instead of a direct drive, a classic belt drive with automatic belt tensioning ensures smooth running, combined with particularly quiet motor brushes.

Why the RK 55 is the right choice

With 12 kg centering capacity, the RK 55 is big enough for the vast majority of hobby and teaching projects without reaching the price range of professional direct drive wheels. The built in circuit breaker forgives the occasional careless moment with too much clay, and at only 23 kg it can still be moved by one person if needed. That is practical when the classroom is rearranged several times a week.

Features and benefits

• Electronic controller: even, infinitely variable speed control at maximum torque.
• Wide speed range for optimal performance with any amount of clay.
• Built in circuit breaker against motor overload.
• Automatic belt tensioning: no manual readjustment needed.
• Particularly quiet motor brushes compared to other belt driven wheels.
• Light and portable: weighs only 23 kg.

Technical data at a glance

• Motor: 100 W, reversible, 230 V
• Centering capacity: 12 kg
• Speed: 0 to 250 rpm, infinitely variable
• Wheel head: Ø 300 mm
• Weight: 23 kg (shipping weight approx. 38 kg)
• Dimensions (W × D × H): 560 × 720 × 540 mm

Scope of delivery

• 1x Shimpo RK 55 pottery wheel (motor, wheel head and foot pedal permanently installed)
• 1x stand
• 1x two piece removable splash pan
• 1x power cord
• 1x operating manual

Matching accessories

For an ergonomic sitting position at the wheel, simply select "With stool" above. You get a height adjustable pottery stool (seat height 48 to 66 cm, washable plastic seat).

For flexible work with large and small pieces, also select "With bat system" above. You get a Ø 300 mm bat system (255 mm hole pattern, fits Shimpo) including base plate, inserts in 100, 150 and 200 mm and adapters, so you can change the working surface without tools and without deforming the piece.

Important: The bat system requires a wheel head with pins.

• When buying a new wheel: Also select "With pins" above. This is a factory retrofit of the existing wheel head (drilling, 2 pins with wing nuts and a matching MDF bat).
• If you already own the wheel: Use our lightweight cast wheel head in the version "With pins and MDF bat" as a direct replacement, no workshop visit needed.

Other options that fit are the Lindemann bat systems, the plastic bat system inserts and the bats, each with the standard hole pattern for Shimpo (254 mm, 2 pins).

Practical studio accessories: the pot lifter makes it easier to lift freshly thrown pieces off the wheel head, and the clay centering tool helps you center the clay cleanly. For a replacement or second splash pan, choose the version for your model of our splash pan.

Which Shimpo wheel is right for me?

If you want to work especially compactly and on the move, the tabletop models RK 5 T and RK 5 TF are the more affordable choice. If you need more power for larger amounts of clay, the quiet Whisper T (direct drive, 300 W) or the RK 3D (45 kg centering capacity) offer considerably more performance.

Questions?

Not sure whether the RK 55 is the right wheel for your plans? Just write to us via the contact form and you will receive a reply by the next day at the latest.