How we engineered a slab roller right for you
After considering various slab rollers on the market, we thoroughly evaluated our design priorities.
- Size. A sizable slab roller isn’t a necessity for many potters, however, they consistently find themselves in need of more workspace. Following discussions with several of our potter friends, we concluded that the optimal dimensions for the bed would be 850 x 450mm, which allows for the creation of slabs approximately 700 x 400mm in size.
- Weight. To make best use of valuable space, a light machine that can be readily stored in a small area is desirable. With an all-up weight of around 17Kgs (about 1½ mini bags of clay) it is fairly easy to lift. It is designed to store on edge with a footprint of only 910 x 290mm
- Adjustability. The roller should be rapidly adjustable over a wide range, with a single adjuster. By mounting the top roller on a pair of linked eccentrics with a single adjusting lever, the adjustment over the full range (2mm to approx 22mm) can be made in one easy movement as shown in the video above.
- Repeatability. Adding a definitive stop to the adjustment mechanism could greatly improve consistency. To facilitate this, we’ve incorporated a user-friendly adjustable lock lever in the adjustment slot, enabling you to achieve uniform slab thickness with ease.
- Ease of use. The gearing ought to provide a smooth experience without sacrificing efficiency. Our ergonomic evaluations have arrived at the optimal balance between the handle length and the cable roller diameter.
- Reliability. The mechanism should be simple, and the materials reliable. The stiff but lightweight steel frame is powder coated. The bed is made from quality birch ply (good stiffness to weight ratio). The top roller is uPVC for stiffness and moisture resistance. The drive cable is high-tensile marine quality stainless steel of the appropriate size for the cable roller to ensure long life.