The Brent CXC pottery wheel is the top of AMACO's current Brent range and a common "last wheel you will buy" pick. It has a 1 HP, 10 amp permanent magnet DC motor, a 14 in cast aluminum head, reversible speed control from 0 to 240 rpm and a 10-year warranty. Our verdict: if you are choosing between the Brent C and CXC, the CXC's small price premium buys real headroom. If you are a beginner who mostly throws mugs, a cheaper wheel will do the same job.
This review is research-based. We have not thrown on a CXC. We compared AMACO's product page and warranty page with listings from Bailey Pottery, The Ceramic Shop, Clay-King, Seattle Pottery Supply and New Mexico Clay.
Brent CXC specs at a glance
Here is the CXC beside the two smaller Brent wheels, using AMACO's figures first and Bailey's for comparison.
| Model | Motor | Capacity (AMACO) | Capacity (Bailey) | Speed | Warranty | Typical US price band |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brent CXC | 1 HP, 10 amp DC | 300 lb continuous | 100 lb | 0 to 240 rpm, reversible | 10 years | $2,175 to $2,975 Check price |
| Brent C | 3/4 HP, 7 amp DC | 225 lb continuous | 75 lb | 0 to 240 rpm, reversible | 10 years | $2,050 to $2,850 Check price |
| Brent B | 1/2 HP, 5 amp DC | 150 lb continuous | 50 lb | 0 to 240 rpm, reversible | 10 years | $2,025 to $2,750 Check price |
Price bands are what we saw at AMACO and US dealers in October 2026. The black CXC lists slightly higher than the yellow one. Check the live price before you buy.
Brent CXC pottery wheel: the full spec sheet
We picked the CXC as the Brent to review first because it is the model most often named as a long-term wheel, and because its specs explain why. AMACO's page lists the following.
- Motor: 1 HP permanent magnet DC, 10 amp
- Capacity: 300 lb continuous (AMACO, The Ceramic Shop, Clay-King); 100 lb rated to center (Bailey); "100+ lbs" (New Mexico Clay)
- Speed: 0 to 240 rpm, electronic speed control
- Direction: Forward and reverse toggle with a neutral safety position
- Wheelhead: 14 in cast aluminum, concentric circles, two bat pins
- Drive: 6-groove poly-V belt with automatic tensioning
- Pedal: Cast aluminum, 4 ft cord
- Frame: All-steel construction, solid table, two-piece removable splash pan
- Power: 110V; 220V by request through AMACO customer service
- Included: Splash pan and a 14 in Plast-i-Bat with current AMACO orders
- Weight: not published by the maker; The Ceramic Shop lists a 167 lb shipping weight
- Warranty: 10 years
Pros
- Most torque of any current Brent
- Small price step over the Model C
- Automatic belt tensioning
- Neutral safety position on the direction switch
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- More wheel than many beginners need
- Belt drive rather than direct drive
- Heavy to move
- Capacity figures differ widely between AMACO and Bailey
Who should skip it: New potters on a budget who mainly plan to throw mugs, cups and small bowls, and anyone who needs a wheel they can lift onto a table.
Capacity conflict: AMACO says the CXC "can handle 300 pounds of clay continuously". Bailey Pottery's listing says it is "rated to center 100 lbs. of clay", and New Mexico Clay says it "centers 100+ lbs". Neither number is a test we ran. Either way, the CXC's rating sits well above what a home potter typically puts on the wheel at once.
What the Brent CXC does well
Torque at low speed
Centering a big lump of clay at low rpm is where a small motor bogs down. The CXC's 1 HP, 10 amp motor is double the B's 1/2 HP, and AMACO describes the controller as giving "optimal torque" across the speed range. That reserve is the main thing you pay for.
Low-fuss belt system
AMACO lists automatic belt tensioning and a 6-groove poly-V belt. On a belt wheel, tension that drifts is a common cause of slipping; self-tensioning removes one maintenance job. You still need to keep slip and water out of the drive area.
Controls built for classrooms
The on/off and forward/reverse toggles sit on a control box with an indicator light, and the direction switch has a neutral safety position. Reversing is a switch flip, not a cord swap, which matters if you trim in the opposite direction or share the wheel with a left-handed potter.
Warranty and support network
AMACO gives the CXC a 10-year warranty and sells parts and accessories, such as leg extension booties, through its store and dealers. See our Brent pottery wheels guide for the full warranty conditions.
Weak points to weigh
- Price: At typically $2,175 to $2,975, the CXC costs well over the Speedball Clay Boss or the 1.0 HP Speedball Big Boss.
- Belt drive: Direct-drive wheels such as the Shimpo VL-Whisper have no belt to inspect. A belt is a simple part, but it is a wear part.
- Size and weight: The Ceramic Shop lists a 167 lb shipping weight. Plan where it will live before it arrives.
- Noise: Clay-King's listing mentions "quiet operation" through electronic noise filtering, but neither AMACO nor dealers publish a decibel figure, so we cannot compare it numerically.
- Stock: When checked, AMACO showed the yellow CXC in stock and the black CXC out of stock.
Brent C pottery wheel vs the CXC
The Brent C pottery wheel and the CXC share the frame, head, pedal, speed range, controls and warranty. The difference is the motor (3/4 HP, 7 amp vs 1 HP, 10 amp) and the rating (225 lb vs 300 lb per AMACO, or 75 lb vs 100 lb per Bailey).
When the Brent Model C pottery wheel is enough
If you throw functional ware, such as mugs, bowls, plates and medium vases, the Model C has more torque than you are likely to use. It is also the Brent with a black version in stock at AMACO when we checked. If your dealer prices the C well below the CXC, the C is a sound buy.
When to pay for the CXC
Choose the CXC if you plan large platters, big jars or throwing off the hump with a lot of clay on the head, or if you want a wheel that will not hold you back as your skills grow. At AMACO's list prices the step from C to CXC is about $100, which is small on a wheel of this cost.
How much power does a hobby potter need?
Most beginner pieces use a few pounds of clay or less, far below even Bailey's 100 lb figure for the CXC. The extra motor matters most while centering, when your hands press against the spinning clay and a weak motor slows.
So the CXC is not needed to learn. It is a choice about headroom and longevity. If your budget is fixed, money spent on a good wheel plus classes and clay will do more for a beginner than the jump from 3/4 HP to 1 HP. Our pottery wheel cost guide breaks down the price tiers, and how to center clay explains the technique side.
Setting up a Brent CXC at home
AMACO ships the CXC as a 110V wheel with a 10 amp motor, and it can supply a 220V version by request. AMACO does not publish a breaker size or plug type on the product page. Plug into a grounded outlet, avoid extension cords, and have a licensed electrician confirm the circuit can carry the wheel along with anything else on it, or install a new circuit if needed.
Seated throwers who are tall can add AMACO's reversible leg extension booties (2 in or 4 in rise, sold in sets of three). Clay-King also lists leg extensions for standing use. Leave room around the wheel for a stool, a water bucket and ware boards.
Safety: Unplug the wheel before cleaning, and keep water away from the control box. Clean dried slip from the splash pan and floor with a wet sponge or mop, never by dry sweeping, because clay dust contains silica. See clay dust safety.
Care and maintenance of the CXC
AMACO's Brent wheel manual covers the CXC along with the B, C, EX, IE and Model 16, and its upkeep list is short. The jobs below come from that manual (document 08911E, revised September 2018).
- Unplug before you clean or service. The manual says to always unplug the wheel first.
- Clean with a damp sponge and water. Do not use solvents and do not use a hose.
- Empty the splash pan after each session. AMACO notes that the splash pan is not meant to hold water, so do not leave a pool of slip sitting in it.
- Check the belt every five years. The CXC's belt tensions itself, but the manual says to check belts for wear every five years, because rubber breaks down faster in some climates. If the motor runs but the head does not turn, the manual's first suspect is a belt that is off its pulleys or broken. AMACO has a video tutorial on replacing the drive belt.
- Replace the motor brushes every 5,000 hours. AMACO equates that to 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 5 years, so most hobby potters will go far longer between brush changes.
- Store it dry. AMACO recommends a dry space away from outdoor elements, 50 to 90°F (10 to 32°C), humidity under 60%, and away from dust and vibration. A damp garage or an outdoor shed is a poor home for the control box.
Brush and belt replacement involve opening the wheel. If you are not comfortable with that, an authorized AMACO/Brent dealer can do it, and warranty work must go through one anyway. Our planned guide to pottery wheel maintenance will cover cleaning routines across brands.
CXC price and where to buy: new vs used
New, the CXC typically sold for $2,175 to $2,975 in October 2026. AMACO's own store showed it near the top of that band, in stock in yellow, with a free splash pan, a free 14 in Plast-i-Bat and a $100 AMACO glaze rebate after registration (North America only). US pottery dealers such as The Ceramic Shop, Clay-King, Bailey Pottery, Seattle Pottery Supply and New Mexico Clay also sell it, and dealer prices are often lower than AMACO's list. Check the live price and the freight charge, since The Ceramic Shop lists a 167 lb shipping weight.
How much is a used Brent CXC worth?
There is no published used price guide for the CXC, so we will not invent one. Start from the current new price band above and take off for age, wear, missing parts (pedal, splash pan, bat) and the fact that AMACO's 10-year warranty is non-transferable, so a used wheel has none. Because AMACO still sells parts, a running CXC with its pedal and pan holds value well. Our pottery wheel for sale guide explains how to value any used Brent and what to inspect.
Where can you find a used CXC?
Used Brents most often come from schools, community studios and potters upgrading or retiring. Look at local classifieds and marketplace listings, ask your nearest pottery supplier and community studio whether they know of wheels for sale, and watch school and college surplus sales. Before you pay, run it through its full speed range in both directions, listen for belt slip, check the model letter on the plate so you know it is a CXC and not a B or C, and confirm the voltage, since a 220V unit will not run on a standard US outlet.
Who should buy the Brent CXC?
- Hobby potters who already throw and want one wheel for the long term.
- Anyone planning large forms or long sessions with a lot of clay on the head.
- Small studios or teaching spaces that want a widely serviced US brand with a 10-year warranty.
Who should skip it?
- First-time potters who are not yet sure they will stick with it. A cheaper wheel or a class membership is a lower-risk start.
- Potters who need a portable or tabletop wheel.
- Buyers who want the quietest possible wheel and no belt, who should look at direct-drive options in our quiet pottery wheels guide.
Alternatives to the Brent CXC
Brent Model C
Same wheel with a 3/4 HP motor and a 225 lb AMACO rating. Pick it if your dealer prices it clearly lower. Check the Brent Model C on Amazon.
Speedball Big Boss and Boss Elite
Speedball lists both with a 1.0 peak HP motor, a 14 in head, 0 to 240 rpm and a 175 lb rating, with a 10-year warranty, at a lower price than the CXC. Direction changes by flipping a plug rather than a switch. See our Clay Boss and Boss range review. Check the Boss Elite on Amazon.
Shimpo VL-Whisper
Shimpo lists a 1/2 HP, 400 W direct-drive brushless motor, a 14 in head, 100 lb capacity and 0 to 250 rpm, with a 5-year warranty. No belt, but a smaller motor and a shorter warranty. Read the VL-Whisper review.
Skutt Classic
Skutt lists a 1/3 HP, 4.2 amp motor, a built-in cast aluminum splash pan and a 10-year parts and labor warranty. Skutt does not publish rpm or capacity on its page. See Skutt pottery wheels.
For a ranked list across brands, see best pottery wheels.
Sources: AMACO product pages for the Brent Model CXC, Model C, Model C Black and Model B (shop.amaco.com); AMACO leg extension booties page; AMACO warranty page; AMACO Brent potter's wheel manual (08911E, rev. 09/18); AMACO drive belt replacement tutorial (amaco.com); Bailey Pottery Brent B, C and CXC listings; The Ceramic Shop Brent listings (specs and shipping weights); Clay-King Brent CXC listing; New Mexico Clay Brent page; Seattle Pottery Supply Brent collection; Speedball Big Boss and Boss Elite pages; Shimpo VL-Whisper page; Skutt Classic page. Specs checked October 2026.