Brent Pottery Wheel Review (Models B, C & CXC)

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Ask a room of studio potters which wheel they learned on, and a lot of them will say a Brent. The yellow-and-black wheels have been a fixture in American schools and community studios for decades. That reputation is why people search for them by name, and why used ones sell quickly.

This Brent pottery wheel review covers the current AMACO lineup: the Model B, Model C, Model CXC and the Model 16 Adaptive. We also explain the older models you'll see on the used market, including the Model A and the IE series. The short answer for most people: buy the Model B unless you know you need more motor.

We didn't test these wheels ourselves. Everything below comes from AMACO's own product pages, dealer listings and long-running owner discussion in pottery communities.

Quick picks

Where to buy: Brent wheels are sold only through AMACO's authorized dealers. The Speedball Big Boss is the closest full-size wheel we found on Amazon.

The Brent lineup compared

AMACO sells the B, C and CXC in the classic yellow and in a black finish. Both versions carry the same specs. A 220V option is available for each by contacting AMACO customer service.

What every Brent wheel shares

The B, C and CXC are the same wheel with three different motors. Before comparing them, here's what you get on all three, according to AMACO:

• A 14-inch cast aluminum wheel head marked with concentric circles to help you center, with two bat pins.
• The Brent Classic Controller, which holds a constant speed under changing loads and has electronic noise filtering. The on/off and forward/reverse toggles ("EZ-Feel" switches) are easy to find by touch. The reverse switch has a neutral safety position, and an indicator light sticks out of the box so you can see it from your stool.
• A cast aluminum foot pedal with a 4-foot cord and a 0–240 rpm range.
• A 6-groove poly-V belt with automatic tensioning, so you don't adjust the belt yourself.
• All-steel construction with a solid table and powder-coated legs.
• Modular connections for the motor and pedal, which makes replacing either part simpler.
• A splash pan and a 14-inch Plasti-Bat in the box, plus a 10-year warranty.

School Specialty lists the Model B's footprint at 21 x 28 x 21 1/2 inches (W x D x H). Shipping weights vary by retailer, from about 130 lb to the mid-160s, so plan on freight delivery and a second person to unpack it.

If you throw standing up or simply want a higher wheel, AMACO sells reversible leg extension booties that raise the B, C and CXC by 2 or 4 inches.

The Brent wheels, reviewed

Brent Model B: best Brent for most potters

Who it's for: home potters, hobbyists and small studios who want one wheel that lasts and never feels underpowered for normal work.

The Model B has a 1/2 HP, 5 A permanent magnet DC motor that AMACO says handles 150 lb of clay continuously. That's far more than the 1 to 10 lb most people throw at a time, and the same ballpark as other brands' full-size wheels. You get the whole Brent package, from the 14-inch head to the 10-year warranty, at the lowest price in the line.

Be clear about what that 150 lb figure means. It's AMACO's rating for how much clay the motor can turn, not a promise that you can center a 150 lb lump by hand. Experienced potters on pottery forums make this point often, and it applies to every brand. For bowls, mugs, pitchers and mid-size vases, the B has plenty of torque.

The B also has the strongest resale market of any Brent, which lowers the real cost of owning one. If you stop throwing, a well-kept Model B sells easily. Our used pottery wheel guide covers what to check when you buy or sell one.

Where to buy: AMACO sells Brent wheels through authorized dealers, not on Amazon. Amazon-available alternative: the Speedball Big Boss. Speedball lists a 1.0 peak HP motor rated for 175 lb of clay, a 14-inch head, a 0–240 rpm foot pedal, a two-part splash pan and a 10-year warranty on new wheels. It reverses with a plug rather than a switch, and a peak HP rating isn't directly comparable to Brent's continuous ratings.

Brent Model C: best for large work

Who it's for: potters who regularly throw from 15 lb or more of clay, make large platters and tall forms, or teach on the wheel.

The Model C steps up to a 3/4 HP, 7 A permanent magnet DC motor rated for 225 lb of clay continuously. Everything else matches the B: the 14-inch head with concentric circles, 0–240 rpm, the Classic Controller and the included splash pan and bat. The difference is headroom. When you lean into a big lump during centering, a stronger motor slows down less.

The C is the Brent many teaching studios choose because several students of different strengths share each wheel through the day. At home, it makes sense if you already know you throw big. If you're unsure, the B is the safer buy, and you'll know within a year whether you've outgrown it.

Where to buy: AMACO sells Brent wheels through authorized dealers, not on Amazon. Amazon-available alternative: the Speedball Big Boss. Speedball lists a 1.0 peak HP motor rated for 175 lb of clay, a 14-inch head, a 0–240 rpm foot pedal, a two-part splash pan and a 10-year warranty on new wheels. It reverses with a plug rather than a switch, and a peak HP rating isn't directly comparable to Brent's continuous ratings.

Brent Model CXC: most powerful Brent

Who it's for: production potters, people throwing very large forms and busy studios where one wheel runs all day.

The CXC is the top of the current line. AMACO lists a 1 HP, 10 A permanent magnet DC motor and a rating of 300 lb of clay continuously. The head, speed range, controller, belt system and accessories are identical to the B and C. You're paying only for motor.

That makes the CXC easy to judge. If you center 25 lb at a time or throw in series for hours, the extra torque is worth it. If you don't, it isn't. Most home potters who buy a CXC "to be safe" would have been just as happy with a B.

One practical note: the CXC draws twice the current of the B. Follow the electrical requirements in AMACO's manual, avoid sharing the circuit with a space heater or other heavy load, and ask an electrician if you're unsure about your studio wiring.

Where to buy: AMACO sells Brent wheels through authorized dealers, not on Amazon. Amazon-available alternative: the Speedball Big Boss. Speedball lists a 1.0 peak HP motor rated for 175 lb of clay, a 14-inch head, a 0–240 rpm foot pedal, a two-part splash pan and a 10-year warranty on new wheels. It reverses with a plug rather than a switch, and a peak HP rating isn't directly comparable to Brent's continuous ratings.

Brent Model 16 Adaptive: best accessible wheel

Who it's for: rehabilitation and therapy programs, schools, and potters who throw from a wheelchair.

AMACO designed the Model 16 with rehabilitation and therapy experts so it can be used from a wheelchair, a standard stool or standing. A crank adjusts the head height from 21 to 35 inches. Speed is controlled with a hand lever or foot pedal that can sit on the floor or clamp to a tray at the side of the table. The wheel rolls on hard rubber casters, four rubber feet lift it off the casters to hold it level, and AMACO says it fits through a 36-inch door.

AMACO lists a 1/2 HP, 5 A motor rated for 150 lb continuously. Seattle Pottery Supply lists the Model 16 as a 1/3 HP ring cone drive wheel, so confirm the motor with the seller before ordering. It costs far more than a Model B, which makes sense only if you need the adjustable height and hand control.

Where to buy: the Model 16 Adaptive is sold through Brent dealers, not on Amazon. We found no adaptive or adjustable-height wheel on Amazon to suggest in its place, so ask a Brent dealer about delivery and setup.

Older Brent models you'll see used

Brent has been making wheels for a long time, so the used market is full of models that aren't in AMACO's current lineup.

• Model A. An older, smaller Brent. One owner on the Ceramic Arts Daily forum lists theirs at 1/3 HP and 3 amps. It can be a good starter wheel if it runs smoothly, but it's less motor than a current Model B.
• IE series (IE, IE-X, IE-T). Lighter, more affordable Brents. The IE-T is a tabletop version. These no longer appear on AMACO's own Brent wheel page, although some art supply retailers still list them. AMACO's leg extension booties are marketed for IE and IE-X wheels made after January 2009, which tells you parts support lasted at least that long.
• EX. Archie Bray Clay describes the EX as the most powerful Brent wheel ever built, but it's listed as out of stock and is not on AMACO's current wheel page.

With any older Brent, check that the controller responds smoothly from zero, the pedal returns cleanly, the head runs true, and the reverse works. Ask AMACO whether parts are still available for that model before you pay.

Brent alternatives worth comparing

Shimpo VL-Whisper. If noise matters more than warranty length, Shimpo's direct-drive wheel has no belt at all. Shimpo rates it at 1/2 HP (400 W) and 100 lb with a 5-year warranty. Our Shimpo pottery wheel review compares it with the VL-Lite.

Speedball Big Boss. Speedball lists a 1.0 peak HP motor, a 175 lb capacity, a 14-inch head and a 10-year warranty, usually for less than a Brent C. Reversing is done with a plug rather than a switch. See our Speedball Artista vs Clay Boss guide for the full Speedball range.

Speedball Clay Boss. The value pick for a full-size 14-inch wheel with a 10-year warranty, rated at 100 lb. It's the wheel to beat if your budget doesn't stretch to a Brent.

For the wider field, including budget options, see our best pottery wheel roundup.

How to choose between the B, C and CXC

Start with the clay you actually throw

If most of your pieces start at under 10 lb of clay, the Model B is enough. Choose the C if you regularly center 15 lb or more, or if several people share the wheel. Choose the CXC only for very large work or all-day production.

Remember that capacity ratings aren't universal

AMACO rates Brent wheels by how much clay they handle "continuously." Other brands use different methods, and Skutt goes as far as saying there's no scientific way to measure centering capacity. Use the numbers to compare the B, C and CXC with each other, not to compare a Brent with a Shimpo.

Budget for the extras

Bats, tools, clay and freight shipping add to the price of any floor wheel. A Brent includes a splash pan and one 14-inch bat, but you'll want several more. Our pottery wheel bats guide covers which bats fit a Brent's 10-inch pin spacing, and our pottery wheel price guide shows where Brent sits against other brands.

Consider buying used

Because Brents last and the warranty is long, a used B or C in good condition is one of the best deals in pottery equipment. Check the serial number, ask whether the warranty is transferable, and run the wheel at every speed before you buy.

How we chose

We didn't test these wheels in person. We built this review from AMACO's product pages for each model, dealer listings (Seattle Pottery Supply, School Specialty, The Ceramic Shop, Archie Bray Clay) and recurring feedback from owners and teachers on the Ceramic Arts Daily forum. Where sources disagree, as with the Model 16's motor and the shipping weights, we say so instead of picking a number.

FAQ

Verdict

The Brent Model B is the right Brent pottery wheel for most people: the same head, controller, build and 10-year warranty as the bigger models, with more motor than typical home throwing needs. Step up to the Model C if you throw big or share the wheel, and save the CXC for production work. If you need adjustable height or hand control, the Model 16 Adaptive is the specialist choice.