Materials

• You will be building a 30-inch cube for the frame and will need four 4-by-4s and 10 2-by-4s, cut in 30-inch lengths. In addition to the wood for the frame, you will also need 24 6-inch bolts, 24 7.5-inch bolts, nuts and washers to hold it together; 4-inch nails; two pieces of 1-inch plywood cut to 12 inches by 30 inches; cement; a pillow-block bearing; and a flywheel. Have power tools such as a drill and saw close at hand during the project.
  
  

Frame

• This is the base for the wheel, so you want it to be sturdy. Fit the pieces together to make a square frame using the 4-by-4s for legs and the 2-by-4s for bracing. Drill holes for the 6-inch bolts and secure them. Build a solid platform for the flywheel out of 4-by-4s and nail it into place at the top of the frame. This will hold the wheel and let it move freely.
  
  The seat and work table are built out of the plywood and secured with 2-by-4 supports. You can customize this to fit your height and work needs. Finally, connect the shaft that houses the mechanism that turns the wheel. Use a plumb bob to make sure it is straight.
  
  

Connecting the Pulley

• Either weld or or use epoxy glue to attach the pulley wheel to the shaft of the flywheel. It should be about 2 inches from the bottom of the shaft and perpendicular. Cut a 23-inch circle from the plywood and secure it to the shaft with 2-inch V-bolts. Using cement, make a cast of the flywheel by shaping tar paper around the disc and placing wooden dowels in the pre-drilled holes. Pour the concrete in the mold and as it hardens, replace the dowels with 5-inch bolts. Let the concrete cure for 24 hours. Attach the circular plywood to the tar paper mold with screws and a drill.
  
  

Flywheel

• Place the flywheel in the frame. You can use a greased 3/8-inch steel ball placed in the flange for more stability if you like. Slide the pillow-block bearing down the shaft and secure it with the provided screw. It's best to use a commercially manufactured wheel head for the sake of accuracy when making pottery. Connect the wheel head to the shaft according to the manufacturer's instructions.