The Clay Boss pottery wheel is Speedball's entry floor wheel and one of the most common full-size wheels in US home studios. Speedball lists a 0.5 HP motor, a 14 in head, a 100 lb centering capacity, a foot pedal, 0 to 240 rpm, a 68 lb weight and a 10-year warranty. Our verdict: for a beginner or improving hobby potter it is a strong value pick. Step up to the 1.0 HP Big Boss or Boss Elite only if you plan large forms.
This review is research-based. We have not thrown on these wheels. We compared Speedball's product pages and its Boss series owner's manual with listings from The Ceramic Shop, Clay-King, Blick and Utrecht.
Speedball Boss range compared
Speedball now sells three Boss wheels. Amazon tends to group them, so check which variant a listing is for.
| Model | Motor | Capacity | Head and speed | Extras | Warranty | Typical US price band |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Boss | 0.5 HP | 100 lb | 14 in, 0 to 240 rpm | Pedal, polyethylene tabletop, 68 lb | 10 years | $1,150 to $1,400 Check price |
| Big Boss | 1.0 peak HP | 175 lb | 14 in, 0 to 240 rpm | Pedal, adjustable glide feet | 10 years | Up to about $1,750 at list Check price |
| Boss Elite | 1.0 peak HP | 175 lb (Speedball) | 14 in, 0 to 240 rpm | Pedal, utility shelf, adjustable glide feet | 10 years | $1,550 to $2,000 Check price |
Price bands reflect Speedball's list prices and dealer listings in October 2026; check the live price before you buy.
Speedball Clay Boss pottery wheel at a glance
We cover the Clay Boss first because its specs line up closely with what most home potters need: a full 14 in head, a 100 lb rating that is well above typical hobby work, a pedal included, and the same 10-year warranty as wheels that cost far more. Speedball says its wheels are hand-assembled and tested in Statesville, North Carolina.
- Motor: 0.5 HP industrial motor, load-sensing speed control
- Wheelhead: 14 in
- Capacity: 100 lb centering
- Speed: 0 to 240 rpm, foot pedal
- Direction: Reversing plug
- Size: 29.75 x 24.5 x 17.25 in; 68 lb
- Included: Polyethylene tabletop, two-part splash pan, 7.5 in and 12 in plastic bats
- Power: 110V (220V versions exist per the manual); 15 amp circuit, 20 amp recommended near full capacity
- Warranty: 10 years, registration within 30 days
Pros
- Full-size 14 in head and 100 lb capacity at a mid price
- Pedal and two bats included
- 10-year warranty
- 68 lb is light for a floor wheel
Cons
- Reversing means unplugging and flipping a connector
- 0.5 HP is modest for very large pieces
- Low profile may need raising for tall potters
Who should skip it: Potters planning big jars or platters, who should look at the Big Boss or a Brent, and anyone with no room for a floor wheel, who should consider the tabletop Speedball Artista.
What the Clay Boss does well
Load-sensing speed control
Speedball says a "sophisticated load-sensing control" keeps the wheelhead speed steady as the load changes. In practice that is what stops a wheel slowing when you press into the clay while centering.
Capacity for the money
A 100 lb rating with a 14 in head is what you find on many wheels costing far more. Shimpo's VL-Whisper, for example, has the same 100 lb rating and a 5-year warranty. The Clay Boss gives 10 years.
Easy cleanup
The polyethylene tabletop and two-part splash pan lift away for cleaning. The manual says the motor and wheelhead bearings are permanently lubricated and sealed, so they should not need service.
Light for a floor wheel
At 68 lb, the Clay Boss weighs a little over half as much as the Shimpo VL-Whisper (120 lb per Shimpo). That helps if it has to share space or move between rooms.
Weak points
- Reversing is a plug, not a switch. It takes a few seconds with the power off. Fine if you reverse now and then, annoying if you switch often.
- Half horsepower. Plenty for functional ware, but the 1.0 HP Boss models and the Brent C or CXC have more reserve for big lumps of clay.
- Belt drive. The manual describes adjusting belt tension with nuts on the motor plate. It is simple, but it is a job direct-drive wheels do not need.
- Registration deadline. The warranty must be registered within 30 days, and full labor coverage applies when work is done at the Speedball factory.
Speedball Big Boss pottery wheel
The Big Boss is the middle model. Speedball lists a 1.0 peak HP motor, a 14 in head, 0 to 240 rpm, a 175 lb capacity, a reversing plug, adjustable glide feet and the same 10-year warranty. It sits between the Clay Boss and the Boss Elite on price and drops the Elite's utility shelf.
- Motor: 1.0 peak HP industrial motor
- Capacity: 175 lb
- Speed: 0 to 240 rpm, foot pedal
- Direction: Reversing plug
- Feet: Adjustable glide feet for height and leveling
- Warranty: 10 years
Pros
- Double the Clay Boss motor rating
- 175 lb capacity
- Costs less than the Boss Elite
Cons
- Weight not published on Speedball's page
- Same plug-style reversing
- No tool shelf
Who should skip it: Beginners throwing mugs and bowls, who will not use the extra power, and buyers who want a switch for reversing.
Speedball Boss Elite
The Boss Elite shares the Big Boss motor and capacity, and adds a built-in utility shelf for tools. Speedball lists a 1.0 peak HP motor that "runs quietly and smoothly under varying loads up to 175lbs", 0 to 240 rpm, universal 10 in bat pin spacing, adjustable glide feet and a 10-year warranty.
- Motor: 1.0 peak HP industrial motor
- Capacity: 175 lb (Speedball, Blick, Clay-King); The Ceramic Shop's spec list says 150 lb
- Speed: 0 to 240 rpm, foot pedal
- Direction: Reversing plug
- Extras: Utility shelf, adjustable glide feet
- Shipping weight: 96 to 97 lb (The Ceramic Shop); not published by the maker
- Warranty: 10 years
Pros
- Most capable Boss wheel
- Tool shelf keeps ribs and sponges at hand
- Still well below Brent CXC pricing
Cons
- Highest Boss price for a shelf over the Big Boss
- Plug-style reversing
- Capacity figures vary by listing
Who should skip it: Anyone happy to keep tools on a side table, since the Big Boss has the same motor and rating for less.
Naming and capacity conflict: The Ceramic Shop sells this wheel as the "Big Boss Elite" and lists 175 lb in its description but 150 lb in its spec table. Speedball's own page calls it the Boss Elite and lists 175 lb. We use Speedball's figure. A dedicated Boss Elite review is planned.
Speedball Boss Base accessory
The Boss Base is a small throwing tool, not a stand or a wheel base, despite the name. Speedball says it was developed with professional potter Rich Brown and inspired by North Carolina production pottery. You use it to open a centered lump of clay, and Speedball says it gives a 3/8 in bottom every time while putting less wear on your hands and wrists.
That makes it most useful in three cases:
- Repeat ware. If you throw sets of mugs or bowls, an even 3/8 in floor on every piece helps them dry and fire more evenly.
- Sore hands or wrists. Speedball presents it as an aid for potters with hand or wrist injuries, since the tool does the opening instead of your fingers.
- Teaching. Instructors can use it to show students what a correct floor thickness looks like.
Speedball lists it at about $30, in six colors (red, blue, orange, green, pink and purple), and says it is made in the USA. Its page does not state dimensions, material or which wheels it is meant for, so it should work as a hand tool on any wheel, including the Clay Boss. Learning to open by hand is still worth the practice; our guide to throwing a cylinder covers the technique.
Clay Boss vs Big Boss vs Boss Elite: which one?
All three share the 14 in head, 0 to 240 rpm, foot pedal, reversing plug, two-part splash pan, two bats and 10-year warranty. The choice comes down to motor and extras:
- Choose the Clay Boss if you are learning or mostly throw functional ware. Its 100 lb rating covers that work with room to spare.
- Choose the Big Boss if you want 1.0 HP and a 175 lb rating for larger pieces, and the price gap fits your budget.
- Choose the Boss Elite only if you want the built-in tool shelf; the motor and rating match the Big Boss.
Speedball also lists studio rebates after warranty registration that rise with the model ($50, $75 and $100 respectively when we checked).
How to reverse a Speedball Clay Boss
All Boss wheels change direction with a reversing plug on the motor cord. Speedball's manual gives these steps:
- Turn the wheel off and unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
- Unplug the motor cord at its connector and rotate the plug 180 degrees.
- Plug the motor cord back in at the connector, then restore power.
Never flip the connector with the wheel plugged in. If you reverse often, a wheel with a direction switch, such as a Brent or Shimpo, is more convenient.
Power, height and setup
Speedball's Boss manual says the wheels run on 110V or 220V versions, are grounded, and need a three-hole outlet. It recommends a 15 amp circuit, and a 20 amp circuit for use near or at the stated capacity. Have a licensed electrician check that your circuit meets this, or install one, before you set up; do not use light-duty extension cords.
The manual describes threaded feet that you twist inward to lower and outward to raise, for small height changes and leveling. Our pottery wheel height guide explains how to find a comfortable setup.
Safety: Speedball warns never to spray water up under the wheel and to keep long hair, jewelry and loose clothing away from the moving head. Clean slip wet; do not dry sweep clay dust, because it contains silica. See clay dust safety.
Speedball pottery wheel warranty
The Boss manual gives a "10-YEAR WARRANTY (100% parts & labor when labor performed at Speedball Factory)". Registration is required within 30 days of purchase, through Speedball's web form or the card in the box. Exclusions in the manual include accident damage, unauthorized repairs and misuse. Register the day the wheel arrives.
Is the Clay Boss a good choice for you?
Buy it if
- You want a full-size wheel with a pedal for well under Brent prices.
- You throw mugs, bowls, plates and vases rather than large sculpture.
- You value a 10-year warranty from a US pottery brand.
Skip it if
- You reverse direction often and want a switch.
- You plan large forms regularly; look at the Big Boss or Brent CXC.
- You have no floor space; the Speedball Artista is the tabletop option.
Alternatives to the Clay Boss
Brent Model B
A 1/2 HP Brent with a reversing switch and a 150 lb AMACO rating (Bailey says 50 lb), at a much higher price. See the Brent Model B review; a direct Clay Boss vs Brent B comparison is planned.
Shimpo VL-Whisper
Direct drive with no belt, 1/2 HP (400 W), 14 in head, 100 lb and 0 to 250 rpm, but a 5-year warranty and a 120 lb weight. Read the VL-Whisper review.
Speedball Artista
Speedball's tabletop wheel: 1/3 HP, 11 in head, 25 lb capacity, fixed direction. Cheaper and smaller. Check the Artista on Amazon.
See all brands ranked in our best pottery wheels guide, which covers what makes a good pottery wheel brand: published specs, warranty length and parts support.
Sources: Speedball product pages for the Clay Boss, Big Boss and Boss Elite (speedballart.com); Speedball Boss Base page; Speedball Boss series owner's manual; Speedball Artista page and warranty registration page; The Ceramic Shop Big Boss Elite listing; Blick Boss Elite listing; Utrecht Big Boss listing; AMACO and Bailey Pottery Brent Model B listings; Shimpo VL-Whisper page. Specs checked October 2026.