ROHDE HMT 600 ^^

I have been thinking about buying a new pottery wheel for a long time. Since I want to buy it only once and use it for many years, I tried not to rush. I compared different models again and again sometimes I leaned towards Shimpo and then I changed my mind back to Rohde. In the end, today I chose the ROHDE HMT 600.

The main reason was that I wanted something long-lasting. I looked at the strength of the body, the torque, and the general reliability of the brand. I wanted a wheel that I would not need to replace or upgrade after a few years, and Rohde felt like the safer choice for that.

In the Netherlands, there is only one official Rohde seller. Instead of ordering it online, I preferred to visit the shop and buy it in person. It helped me understand the machine better and made the decision feel more solid. For now, I bought the model without shelves, and I plan to add the extra parts later, depending on my needs.

One thing I noticed during setup is that the wheel head works a bit differently than Shimpo models. On Shimpo wheels you can slide the top tray out from the side, but on the Rohde you remove the metal bat plate in the center to reach the splash pan underneath. It is just a different system, and it already feels quite natural.

There is also a water drain tube under the splash pan. This is useful during long throwing sessions, because the extra water does not collect inside the pan. Cleaning it is also simple.

A small detail made me smile: the foot pedal connects to the machine with a jack plug, similar to the ones used in Yamaha musical instruments. Seeing a music-style connection on a pottery wheel felt funny and strangely charming. It also means the system is simple and easy to replace if needed.

For now, the wheel is set up in my studio, and I will start working on it soon. As I spend more time with it, I will write another post about how it feels during actual throwing — the pedal response, speed control, and the general stability while centering clay.