A Brent pottery wheel is a long-time US classroom and studio wheel: a steel-frame, belt-driven electric wheel with a 14 in cast aluminum wheelhead, a cast aluminum foot pedal and a 10-year warranty. AMACO, the Indianapolis clay and glaze company, has built them since it bought Brent in 1978. This guide compares every model AMACO lists in October 2026, explains the gap between AMACO's capacity figures and one large dealer's figures, and covers what happened to the EX and IE.
This is a research-based guide. We did not throw on these wheels. We compared AMACO's own product pages, AMACO's warranty page, and dealer listings from Bailey Pottery, The Ceramic Shop, Clay-King, Seattle Pottery Supply, New Mexico Clay and Blick.
Quick verdict: which Brent wheel should you buy?
- Best for most home studios: Brent Model C (3/4 HP, rated by AMACO for 225 lb, usually only a little more than the B)
- Best buy-once Brent: Brent Model CXC (1 HP, rated by AMACO for 300 lb, about $100 above the C at AMACO list)
- Lowest-cost Brent: Brent Model B (1/2 HP, rated by AMACO for 150 lb)
- Seated or wheelchair users: Brent Model 16 Adaptive (crank-adjusted head height from 21 in to 35 in)
The three standard wheels share the same 14 in head, 0 to 240 rpm speed range, pedal and warranty. What changes is the motor and the rated load. Because AMACO's list prices for the B, C and CXC sit within a few hundred dollars of each other, the extra torque of the C or CXC costs little.
Who makes Brent pottery wheels?
Brent wheels are made and sold by AMACO, short for American Art Clay Co., Inc. AMACO's own history page says the company was founded in 1919, introduced its first electric potter's wheel in 1947, and acquired Brent Potters Wheels and Equipment in 1978. That is why dealers list the wheels as "AMACO Brent" and why you will find them on AMACO's store next to its glazes.
AMACO is based in Indianapolis. New Mexico Clay's Brent page says the wheels are "Made in America" and have set the standard "since 1969". The AMACO product pages we checked did not state a country of manufacture, so treat the made-in-America claim as the dealer's wording.
If you are searching for "amaco potters wheels", the Brent range is what you will find. AMACO also sells kilns and a large glaze line; see our guide to AMACO glazes if you plan to buy both from the same maker.
Brent pottery wheel specs: every current model
The table below uses AMACO's own figures first. Bailey Pottery, a large US dealer, prints much lower centering figures for the same wheels, so we show both.
| Model | Motor | Capacity (AMACO) | Capacity (Bailey) | Speed and head | Status, Oct 2026 | Typical US price band |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model B | 1/2 HP, 5 amp DC | 150 lb continuous | 50 lb | 0 to 240 rpm, 14 in | Listed, in stock at AMACO | $2,025 to $2,750 Check price |
| Model C | 3/4 HP, 7 amp DC | 225 lb continuous | 75 lb | 0 to 240 rpm, 14 in | Black in stock; yellow out of stock at AMACO | $2,050 to $2,850 Check price |
| Model CXC | 1 HP, 10 amp DC | 300 lb continuous | 100 lb | 0 to 240 rpm, 14 in | Yellow in stock; black out of stock at AMACO | $2,175 to $2,975 Check price |
| Model 16 Adaptive | 1/2 HP, 5 amp DC | 150 lb continuous | Not listed | 0 to 240 rpm, 14 in, height 21 to 35 in | Listed, out of stock at AMACO | $3,730 to $4,975 Check price |
| Model EX | 1 1/2 HP, 15 amp DC | 450 lb continuous (dealer) | Not listed | 0 to 240 rpm, 14 in | Not on AMACO's store; out of stock at dealers | Not reliably available |
| Model IE | 1/4 HP, 6 amp | 75 lb (Blick) | Not listed | rpm not published, 12 in | Not on AMACO's store | Not reliably available |
Prices are the range we saw across AMACO and US dealers in October 2026; dealer prices move often, so check the live price. AMACO's 110V wheels can be ordered for 220V through AMACO customer service, per its product pages.
Capacity conflict: AMACO lists the Model B at 150 lb, the C at 225 lb and the CXC at 300 lb "continuously". Bailey Pottery's listings say the same wheels are "rated to center" 50 lb, 75 lb and 100 lb. The Ceramic Shop and Clay-King repeat AMACO's figures. Neither source explains its test method. For home pottery the difference rarely matters, because almost all hobby work is far below even Bailey's numbers.
Brent B vs C vs CXC: what the three share
All three standard Brent wheels are built on the same platform, according to AMACO's pages and dealer listings:
- A cast aluminum 14 in wheelhead with concentric circles and two bat pins.
- A 0 to 240 rpm reversible electronic speed control with a forward, neutral and reverse toggle and an indicator light.
- A cast aluminum foot pedal on a 4 ft cord.
- A 6-groove poly-V drive belt with automatic belt tensioning (named on the CXC and Model 16 pages; dealers describe the same on the B).
- All-steel construction, a removable two-piece splash pan, and a free 14 in Plast-i-Bat with current AMACO orders.
- A 10-year warranty and, at the time of checking, a $100 AMACO glaze rebate after warranty registration (North America only).
So the B vs C vs CXC choice is really about motor size and price. The B has a 1/2 HP motor, the C has 3/4 HP and the CXC has 1 HP. More motor means the wheel slows down less when you lean hard into a large lump of clay while centering.
Brent Model B
The Model B is the entry point to the Brent range and a long-time classroom wheel. AMACO rates it at 150 lb continuous with a 1/2 HP, 5 amp permanent magnet DC motor. That is plenty for mugs, bowls, vases and plates. Its weakness is price: dealers often sell it for only slightly less than the Model C.
- Motor: 1/2 HP permanent magnet DC, 5 amp
- Capacity: 150 lb continuous (AMACO); 50 lb (Bailey)
- Speed: 0 to 240 rpm, reversible
- Wheelhead: 14 in cast aluminum, two bat pins
- Power: 110V (220V by request to AMACO)
- Warranty: 10 years
Pros
- Same frame, pedal and warranty as the dearer Brents
- Simple, well-known controls
- Plenty of capacity for typical home work
Cons
- Small price gap to the Model C
- Lowest torque in the range
- Capacity figures conflict between AMACO and Bailey
Who should skip it: Anyone who can stretch to the Model C, since the extra 1/4 HP usually costs little. Read the full Brent Model B review for the details.
Brent Model C
The Model C sits in the middle with a 3/4 HP, 7 amp DC motor and an AMACO rating of 225 lb continuous. It is the Brent we would point most hobby potters toward on paper: more reserve torque than the B for centering larger amounts of clay, without paying the top CXC price. The Ceramic Shop lists its size as 21 x 26 3/4 x 19 3/4 in.
- Motor: 3/4 HP permanent magnet DC, 7 amp
- Capacity: 225 lb continuous (AMACO); 75 lb (Bailey)
- Speed: 0 to 240 rpm, reversible with neutral safety position
- Wheelhead: 14 in cast aluminum, two bat pins
- Colors: Yellow or black
- Warranty: 10 years
Pros
- Good balance of motor size and price
- Same controls and pedal as the whole range
- Black version available
Cons
- Yellow version showed out of stock at AMACO when checked
- Belt drive needs occasional inspection
Who should skip it: Potters planning large pieces or long production sessions, who should compare the CXC, and beginners on a tight budget, who should look at the Speedball Clay Boss.
Brent Model CXC
The CXC is the most powerful wheel AMACO currently lists: a 1 HP, 10 amp DC motor rated by AMACO at 300 lb continuous. AMACO's page says it uses the "brent Classic Controller", automatic belt tensioning and a 6-groove poly-V belt. Its list price sits only about $100 above the Model C, which makes it the obvious choice if you want headroom.
- Motor: 1 HP permanent magnet DC, 10 amp
- Capacity: 300 lb continuous (AMACO); 100 lb (Bailey)
- Speed: 0 to 240 rpm, reversible with neutral safety position
- Drive: 6-groove poly-V belt, automatic tensioning
- Power: 110V (220V by request)
- Warranty: 10 years
Pros
- Most torque in the current Brent lineup
- Small price step over the C
- Automatic belt tensioning
Cons
- Highest price of the standard Brents
- Draws more current than the B or C
- Far more power than many hobbyists use
Who should skip it: Beginners who mostly throw mugs and bowls and want to spend less. Our Brent CXC review covers whether the extra power pays off.
Brent Model 16 Adaptive
The Model 16 Adaptive is a specialist wheel for potters who throw from a wheelchair or need a different working height. AMACO says a crank adjusts the height of the 14 in head from 21 in to 35 in, and the speed control works from a hand lever or a foot pedal mounted on the floor or a tray. Inside, it uses the same 1/2 HP, 5 amp motor and 150 lb rating as the Model B.
- Motor: 1/2 HP permanent magnet DC, 5 amp
- Capacity: 150 lb continuous (AMACO)
- Height: 21 in to 35 in head height by crank
- Controls: Hand lever or foot pedal; toggle switches for power and direction
- Power: 110V (a 220V version is sold)
- Warranty: 10 years
Pros
- Wheelchair-accessible height range
- Hand or foot control
- Same warranty as the standard range
Cons
- Costs far more than a Model B with the same motor
- Showed out of stock at AMACO when checked
Who should skip it: Anyone who can sit at a standard wheel. For other options, see our guide to a pottery wheel for seniors.
What happened to the Brent EX and IE?
The Model EX was the heavy production Brent: Archie Bray's listing gives a 1 1/2 HP, 15 amp DC motor and 450 lb continuous, and Blick's page says 1 1/2 HP and 450 lb. In October 2026 the EX does not appear on AMACO's store, its old AMACO product address no longer loads, and the dealer listings we found showed it out of stock. We could not find an official discontinuation notice, so the honest summary is: not currently sold new by AMACO. A future Brent EX review will cover used buying.
The Model IE was a smaller, lighter Brent. Blick's listing gives a 1/4 HP, 6 amp motor, a 12 in head, 75 lb capacity and a weight of 78 lb, with the option to use it on a table (13 in tall) or on legs. AMACO's leg extension booties are still listed as fitting "IE and IE-X models manufactured after January 2009", but the IE itself is not on AMACO's store in October 2026.
Both models turn up used. For what to check on an older wheel, see our pottery wheel for sale guide.
Brent classic pottery wheel: what the name means
"Brent classic pottery wheel" is a common search, but AMACO does not sell a model called Classic. The word appears on AMACO's CXC page as the "brent Classic Controller", the control box that holds the on/off and forward/reverse toggles and the indicator light. Searchers also use it for older yellow Brent wheels in general.
If you are looking at an older wheel described as a "classic Brent", ask the seller for the model letter on the plate. That tells you the motor size and which parts AMACO still lists.
How long is the Brent warranty and what does it cover?
Every current Brent product page says "TEN YEAR WARRANTY". AMACO's warranty page sets out the conditions that matter for buyers:
- It covers defects in materials and workmanship from manufacturing.
- You register the wheel with AMACO within 6 months of purchase.
- The warranty is non-transferable, so a used Brent does not carry it to a new owner.
- Warranty work must be done by an authorized AMACO/Brent dealer or by AMACO.
- Keep the original receipt, model number and serial number.
The Ceramic Shop's copy of AMACO's warranty terms also says components AMACO buys in for its equipment are covered only by those component makers' warranties. AMACO's own page did not spell out motor and controller coverage, so ask your dealer before you buy if that matters to you.
Setting up a Brent wheel at home
Brent wheels ship as 110V units. AMACO's motor ratings are 5 amp (B and Model 16), 7 amp (C) and 10 amp (CXC). AMACO does not publish a breaker size or plug type on these pages. Use a grounded three-prong outlet, and if the circuit is shared with other loads or you want a 220V wheel, have a licensed electrician check or install the circuit.
For height, AMACO sells reversible leg extension booties that raise the wheel 2 in or 4 in for tall potters who throw seated; they fit the B, C, CXC and EX. Clay-King also lists leg extensions for standing use. Our pottery wheel height guide explains how to set it.
Safety: Keep water away from the control box and cords, and unplug the wheel before cleaning. Dried clay slip contains silica. Clean the splash pan and floor wet with a sponge or mop; never dry sweep. See clay dust safety.
Brent vs other wheel brands
Brent's closest rivals for a home studio are Speedball, Shimpo and Skutt. Each makes different trade-offs:
- Speedball Boss series: the Clay Boss pairs a 0.5 HP motor with a 100 lb rating, a 10-year warranty and a much lower price than a Brent B. The 1.0 HP Big Boss and Boss Elite are rated at 175 lb. Speedball reverses by flipping a plug, not a switch.
- Shimpo VL-Whisper: a 1/2 HP, 400 W direct-drive wheel rated at 100 lb, with no belt at all. Shimpo gives it a 5-year warranty. See the VL-Whisper review and our Shimpo wheels guide.
- Skutt Classic (Thomas Stuart): a 1/3 HP, 4.2 amp wheel with a built-in cast aluminum splash pan and a 10-year parts and labor warranty, per Skutt. See Skutt pottery wheels.
For a ranked view across all brands, read our best pottery wheels guide or start at the pottery wheels hub.
Sources: AMACO product pages for the Brent Model B, Model C, Model C Black, Model CXC and Model 16 Adaptive (shop.amaco.com); AMACO leg extension booties page; AMACO about page (history) and warranty page (amaco.com/warranty); The Ceramic Shop AMACO warranty terms and Brent listings; Bailey Pottery Brent B, C and CXC listings; Clay-King Brent B and CXC listings; Seattle Pottery Supply Brent collection; New Mexico Clay Brent page; Archie Bray Clay Brent EX listing; Blick Brent EX and IE listings; Speedball Clay Boss, Big Boss and Boss Elite pages; Shimpo VL-Whisper page; Skutt Classic page. Specs checked October 2026.