A splash pan is the plastic or metal basin around the wheelhead that catches water, slurry and trimmings. Most wheels ship with one, but pans crack, go missing on used wheels, or turn out too small once you start trimming every week. This guide covers buying and fitting a replacement pottery wheel splash pan: which pan fits which wheel, one-piece versus two-piece, and when a universal pan is worth trying. Every fit and size comes from the wheel maker's own page or a named dealer listing, checked in October 2026. We did not test the pans. For cleaning and routine upkeep of the whole wheel, see our pottery wheel maintenance guide.
Quick picks
- Best for Brent wheels: Brent Splash Pan (two-piece, fits all current Brent wheels, no bolts)
- Best value for Shimpo: Shimpo 2-Piece Splashpan 19 in (fits all Shimpo wheels except RK-2s, Bantam and Aspire)
- Best capacity upgrade: Shimpo SW-RKP-027L Large One-Piece (23 in across, drain plugs)
- Best for Speedball: Speedball Boss Series Splash Pan (horseshoe shape for Boss wheels)
- Best for Pacifica: Laguna Pacifica Splash Pan Complete (GT400 and GT800)
- Best for small Skutt wheels: Skutt Larger Splash Pan for the Prodigy
- Best for a tabletop Shimpo: Shimpo Aspire One-Piece Splashpan
Splash pan comparison
| Pan | Fits (maker) | Pieces | Size (maker) | Price band, Oct 2026 | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brent Splash Pan | All Brent wheels | Two, snap together | 17.5 in across, 4.5 in high | About $90 to $125 | Check price |
| Shimpo 2-Piece 19 in (AC-001-2VL-A) | All Shimpo except RK-2s, Bantam, Aspire | Two, snap with flaps | 19 in | About $65 to $75 | Check price |
| Shimpo SW-RKP-027L | VL-Whisper, RK-Whisper, Master (not M-1) | One | 23 in across, 4 in high | About $85 to $95 | Check price |
| Speedball Boss Series pan | All Speedball Boss series wheels | Not published | Not published | Not published; ask a dealer | Check price |
| Pacifica Splash Pan Complete (PWSPA) | Pacifica GT400 and GT800 | Not published | Not published | About $95 to $110 | Check price |
| Skutt Larger Splash Pan (SW-4048) | Skutt Prodigy | Not published | Not published | No US price found | Check price |
| Shimpo Aspire pan (AC-001-1AS) | Shimpo Aspire only | One | Not published | About $30 to $40 | Check price |
Shimpo and Laguna bands are built around each maker's own list or suggested retail price; Brent's band comes from school-supply listings. Prices change often; check the live price.
Which splash pan fits my wheel?
Start here. Find your wheel's brand and model on its label, then match it to the pan below. Wheelhead sizes are from the wheel makers' pages.
| Wheel | Wheelhead | Stock pan | Replacement to look for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brent B, C, CXC and other current Brent models | 14 in | Two-piece, snaps under the top bearing housing | Brent Splash Pan, gold or black |
| Shimpo VL-Whisper | 14 in | Optional extra on Shimpo's page | 2-Piece 19 in, or SW-RKP-027 or 027L one-piece |
| Shimpo VL-Lite | 12 in | Two-piece | 2-Piece 19 in |
| Shimpo RK-Whisper, RK-10 (after 1981), Master Series with 12 in head | 12 in (Master) | Two-piece | Two-Piece Splashpan with Clips, or a one-piece |
| Shimpo Aspire | Tabletop | One-piece | Aspire pan AC-001-1AS only |
| Speedball Clay Boss, Boss Elite, Big Boss | 14 in (Clay Boss) | Two-part | Boss Series splash pan |
| Speedball Artista | 11 in | Two-part | Artista splash pan (Speedball part) |
| Laguna Pacifica GT400, GT800 | 13 in | Two-piece | Pacifica Splash Pan Complete PWSPA, clip PWPCLIPSP |
| Skutt Prodigy, Legend, Revolution, Premier | Not published by Skutt | Removable (Legend: one-piece) | Skutt part through a Skutt dealer; larger pan for Prodigy |
| Skutt Classic, Elite, Professional, Steven Hill | Not published by Skutt | Built-in cast aluminum | None needed; the wheelhead lifts off to clean |
| Bailey ST and ST-XL | 14 in (one Bailey page says 13 in) | 2 Pc Splash-Trim Pan | Call Bailey; no separate part number published |
| Bailey Pro and Pro XL | 14 in | One-piece Counter Pan with drain | Call Bailey |
For more on each wheel, see our Brent pottery wheels and Shimpo pottery wheels reviews, and Bailey's own pages.
1. Brent Splash Pan: best for Brent wheels
AMACO's Brent pan is the easiest replacement on this list, because one part fits the whole current Brent range. Dick Blick lists it as molded high-density polypropylene, 17 1/2 in across and 4 1/2 in high, in gold or black, and says it snaps under the top bearing housing with no bolts, pins or screws, so there are no small parts to lose. School Specialty describes it as two pieces that snap together. It lifts off for cleaning.
Older Brent wheels are the exception. On the Ceramic Arts Daily forum, owners explain that some early 1970s Brents (flat Formica deck, rounder pedal) have no flange under the bearing housing, so a modern pan sits loose. If your wheel has that flange with space beneath it, the larger half slides in at a slight angle and the smaller half snaps on behind it.
- Fits: all Brent pottery wheels (Blick, School Specialty)
- Pieces: two, snap together
- Size: 17 1/2 in diameter x 4 1/2 in high
- Material: high-density polypropylene
- Mounting: under the top bearing housing, no hardware
School Specialty's title calls the pan polyethylene while its feature list says polypropylene; Blick says polypropylene. Either way it is a molded plastic pan.
Pros
- One part for every current Brent
- No bolts to lose
- Two colors
Cons
- May not lock onto early Brents without a flange
- School-supply listings warn of long ship times
Who should skip it: owners of early 1970s Brents with no bearing flange, who should confirm fit with AMACO first.
2. Shimpo 2-Piece Splashpan 19 in: best value for Shimpo
Shimpo's standard pan is the 2-Piece Splashpan 19 in, part AC-001-2VL-A. Shimpo's accessories page says it fits all Shimpo wheels except the RK-2s, Bantam and Aspire, and describes it as a snap-together pan with flaps. On the VL-Whisper page it appears as an optional accessory rather than an included part, so check whether a new or used Whisper comes with one.
Two halves mean you can lift one side out without taking the wheelhead off, which helps when you want to reach the shaft or scoop out trimmings mid-session. The downside, reported by owners of several two-piece pans, is that halves can shift or leak at the seam if they are not fully seated.
For older RK and Master wheels: Two-Piece Splashpan with Clips
Shimpo lists a second two-piece pan, KRKC0205011, for RK-Whisper and RK-10 wheels made after 1981 and all Master Series wheels with a 12 in wheelhead. It measures 23 x 18 x 5 in and weighs 4.5 lb, with clips holding the halves; Shimpo's suggested retail sits in the $100 to $115 band.
- Part: AC-001-2VL-A
- Fits: all Shimpo wheels except RK-2s, Bantam and Aspire (Shimpo)
- Pieces: two, snap with flaps
- Size: 19 in; height not published by the maker
Pros
- Lowest-cost Shimpo pan
- Fits most current Shimpo wheels
- Halves lift out separately
Cons
- Smaller capacity than the one-piece pans
- Seam can leak if not seated
Who should skip it: production throwers who trim heavily and empty the pan several times a session.
3. Shimpo SW-RKP-027L Large One-Piece: best capacity upgrade
If your two-piece pan fills too fast, Shimpo's one-piece pans are the upgrade. The large SW-RKP-027L is 23 in across and 4 in high and weighs 4 lb; Shimpo says it fits all VL-Whisper, RK-Whisper and Master Series wheels except the M-1. Clay-King describes it as durable flex plastic that resists cracking, attached under the wheelhead, with drain plugs so you do not have to take it off to clean it.
Owners on the Ceramic Arts Daily forum like that it holds a lot of slop and needs emptying less often. They also note the trade-offs: fitting it means removing the wheelhead, the bigger rim sits closer to your body (one owner says about 2.5 in), which some seated throwers notice when centering small pieces, and a very large pan is hard to wash in a small sink. Opinions on drain plugs are mixed; some say they leak with age.
The small one-piece, SW-RKP-027 (19 in across, 5 in high), fits VL-Whisper, RK-Whisper, Master Series wheels with a 12 in head, RK-10 and some older RK-2 models.
Shimpo's accessories page still lists the small SW-RKP-027 at a suggested retail in the $75 to $80 band. Clay-King lists it out of stock and says the manufacturer has discontinued it. Ask a Shimpo dealer before you plan around the small pan.
- Part: SW-RKP-027L
- Fits: VL-Whisper, RK-Whisper, Master Series except M-1 (Shimpo)
- Pieces: one, with drain plugs (Clay-King)
- Size: 23 in diameter x 4 in high, 4 lb
Pros
- Largest capacity here
- One piece cannot leak at a seam
- Drain plugs
Cons
- Wheelhead must come off to fit it
- Sits closer to a seated potter
- Hard to wash in a small sink
Who should skip it: VL-Lite owners and anyone with a small sink and no room for a 23 in basin.
4. Speedball Boss Series Splash Pan: best for Speedball
Speedball's page for the Clay Boss describes a two-part splash pan, and The Ceramic Shop sells the replacement as the Clay Boss splash pan, compatible with all Speedball Boss series wheels. Its horseshoe shape is meant to reduce drips and leaks and holds more trimmings and water than the older pan. The listing adds a useful fit test for older wheels: it fits a Clay Boss of almost any era as long as there are two flanges under the wheelhead and the tabletop is flat with no retaining wall.
It does not fit Creative Industries MP, HP or Junior wheels, which some sellers confuse with early Speedball wheels. Speedball does not publish the pan's size, material or price, and its Clay Boss page does not list it as a separate part, so contact Speedball customer service or a dealer with your wheel's model. Artista owners need the separate Artista pan for its 11 in head.
- Fits: all Speedball Boss series wheels (The Ceramic Shop)
- Older wheels: two flanges under the head and a flat tabletop with no retaining wall
- Not for: Creative Industries MP, HP and Junior
- Size, material, price: not published by the maker
Pros
- Covers the whole Boss line
- Horseshoe shape aimed at fewer drips
- Clear fit test for old wheels
Cons
- No published size or material
- Hard to find priced online
Who should skip it: Artista owners and anyone with a Creative Industries wheel.
5. Laguna Pacifica Splash Pan Complete: best for Pacifica
Laguna sells the Pacifica Splash Pan Complete, SKU PWSPA, as a replacement for the Pacifica GT400 and GT800. Laguna's own listing gives no piece count, size or material, but the Pacifica wheels themselves ship with a two-piece pan on a 13 in head, per Laguna's wheel listings. Laguna also sells the splash pan clip on its own (PWPCLIPSP), which is worth knowing if only a clip has broken.
Both the complete pan and the clip showed sold out on Laguna's store when we checked on 16 October 2026. Ask a Laguna dealer, or contact Laguna with your wheel's serial number. The Pacifica manual warns that standing water in the pan can drain into the bearing housing, so a cracked pan is worth replacing promptly. Our Pacifica pottery wheel review covers the wheels.
- Part: PWSPA (clip PWPCLIPSP)
- Fits: Pacifica GT400 and GT800 (Laguna)
- Pieces, size, material: not published on the pan listing
- Stock: sold out at Laguna, 16 October 2026
Pros
- Maker part for both Pacifica models
- Clip sold separately
Cons
- Sold out when checked
- No specs on the listing
Who should skip it: owners of the older Pacifica Glyde and other models, who should confirm the part number with Laguna.
6. Skutt Larger Splash Pan for the Prodigy: best for small Skutt wheels
Skutt builds wheels with either a removable or a built-in pan. Its installation page lists the Legend, Revolution, Premier and Prodigy as removable-pan models and calls the Prodigy's pan the smaller one. The Legend page describes a one-piece pan that "won't leak" and can be carried straight to the clay reclaimer. For the Prodigy, a UK Skutt dealer lists a Larger Splash Pan, stock code SW-4048, that gives extra room around the wheelhead.
The size, material and US price of the larger pan are not published, and the UK listing was out of stock, so ask a US Skutt dealer for the current part. Built-in Skutt wheels (Classic, Elite, Professional, Steven Hill) use a heavy cast aluminum pan; you lift the wheelhead off to clean it, so you will not buy a replacement. Our Skutt pottery wheels review compares the two types.
- Part: SW-4048 (UK dealer stock code)
- Fits: Skutt Prodigy
- Size, material: not published
Pros
- More room on Skutt's smallest pan
- Maker part
Cons
- No published size
- No US listing found in October 2026
Who should skip it: Legend owners and anyone with a built-in Skutt pan.
7. Shimpo Aspire One-Piece Splashpan: best for a tabletop Shimpo
The Aspire is Shimpo's tabletop wheel, and it is one of the three Shimpo models the standard 19 in pan does not fit. Its own one-piece pan, part AC-001-1AS, fits the Aspire only. Shimpo lists it at a suggested retail in the $30 to $40 band and says to order it through a local dealer. Shimpo does not publish its size. Because it is one piece, there is no seam to leak on a kitchen table, which matters on a wheel that often lives indoors.
If a used Aspire comes without its pan, this is the part to order: Shimpo's 19 in two-piece pan and its one-piece RK pans are not listed for the Aspire. A tabletop pan is small, so it fills quickly during trimming. Empty it before you lift the wheel, and work over a washable mat or tray so the slurry that does escape stays off carpet and wood floors.
- Part: AC-001-1AS
- Fits: Shimpo Aspire tabletop wheel only
- Pieces: one
- Size: not published by the maker
Pros
- Low cost
- One piece
- Correct fit for the Aspire
Cons
- Dealer order only
- No published size
Who should skip it: owners of any other Shimpo wheel.
How to choose a pottery wheel splash pan
Start with the exact model, not the diameter
Pans attach in different ways: Brent's snaps under the bearing housing, Bailey's ST halves slide under the wheelhead and lock, Shimpo's one-piece pans fit under the head, and older Speedballs need two flanges under the head. Two pans with the same outside diameter can still fail to lock onto your wheel. Read the model and serial number off the wheel's label and photograph the area under the wheelhead before you order. If you are buying a used wheel without a pan, budget for one in your offer; our pottery wheel for sale guide lists other checks.
Measure what matters
Note the wheelhead diameter, the old pan's outside diameter and height if you have it, and the shape of the deck: a raised edge or retaining wall can block some pans. Then check clearance with your largest bat on the head and the wheel switched off and unplugged. A 14 in bat needs a pan that leaves room for your hands outside it; Bailey, for example, says its pans hold a 9 in water bucket inside while a 14 in bat is in use. If you use a bat system or a trimming chuck that overhangs the head, a removable pan or side clearance matters.
One-piece or two-piece splash pans
Two-piece pans let you lift one half away to reach the shaft, add a bat or clear trimmings without removing the wheelhead, and they pack smaller. Their weak spot is the seam: if the halves are not fully seated they can shift or drip. One-piece pans hold more and cannot leak at a seam, but many need the wheelhead off to fit and can be awkward to carry to the sink full. Choose two-piece for flexibility, one-piece for capacity.
Removable or built-in
Built-in pans (Skutt's cast aluminum, Bailey's Pro Counter Pan) are sturdy and hold a lot, and you clean them by lifting off the wheelhead. Removable pans are easier to take to a sink or clay reclaimer and cheap to replace if they crack. If you are still choosing a wheel, this is a real difference; our best pottery wheels guide notes the pan type for each wheel.
Material and drains
Most replacement pans are molded plastic (Brent's polypropylene, Shimpo's flex plastic), light and crack-resistant. Drain plugs let you empty slurry without lifting the pan, but forum owners report that some plugs stop sealing with age. Never empty slurry into a household drain; a clay trap or a settling bucket keeps clay out of your plumbing.
Universal and aftermarket splash pans
Universal pans are sold online to fit a range of wheelhead sizes, usually in ABS or other plastic. They have no fitting made for your wheel, so they tend to sit loose rather than lock on, and they can let water reach the bearing area. They can work as a stopgap on a mini or tabletop wheel, or on an orphaned old wheel whose maker no longer exists. For a wheel you use every week, a maker part is worth the extra cost. Before buying a universal pan, check that its center opening clears your wheelhead and shaft housing and that its rim height clears your deck.
Price and where to buy
Maker pans in this guide run from the $30 to $40 band (Aspire) to about $85 to $125 for full-size pans. Pottery suppliers that sell the wheel usually stock or order its pan, and calling with your model and serial number avoids returns. Many pans ship oversized, so ask about freight before you order.
Quick care, and safety
Empty the pan at the end of every session so slurry does not dry in it, and wipe it while still wet. Full cleaning and upkeep is in our pottery wheel maintenance guide.
Unplug the wheel before removing or fitting a pan, and keep water away from the motor housing, cord and pedal. Dried slurry is silica dust: wet-wipe the pan and floor instead of sweeping, and wear a NIOSH-approved respirator when you handle dry clay or glaze materials.
Sources: Shimpo pottery wheel accessories page and VL-Whisper page; Dick Blick Brent Splash Pans listing; School Specialty Brent splash pan listing; Speedball Clay Boss and Artista product pages; The Ceramic Shop Clay Boss splash pan listing; Laguna Clay Pacifica Splash Pan Complete and splash pan clip listings and 2020 Pacifica owner's manual; Giffin Grip home page; Skutt Legend, Classic, pottery wheel models and potter's wheel installation pages; UK Skutt dealer listing for the SW-4048 Larger Splash Pan; Bailey Pottery ST and Pro wheel pages; Clay-King Shimpo SW-RKP-027 and SW-RKP-027L listings and splash pan category page; Ceramic Arts Daily forum threads on old Brent pans, Shimpo's large one-piece pan and built-in vs removable pans. Research-based guide, no hands-on testing. Specs checked October 2026.