Brent B vs Kiln Crafts Thistle: Which Potter's Wheel Is Right for Your Studio?
The Brent Model B (£1,929.96 inc VAT) is an American-made studio wheel with a long reputation in schools and production studios. The Kiln Crafts Thistle (£1,699) is a UK-designed direct-drive wheel with a Hall-effect pedal, built-in USB charging, and a 30-day home trial. They're separated by £231 — and by a very different set of technical choices. Here's how they compare across every spec that matters.
At a Glance
| Specification | Brent Model B | Kiln Crafts Thistle |
|---|---|---|
| Price (inc VAT) | £1,929.96 | £1,699 |
| Drive system | Belt drive (poly-v) | Direct drive (no belt) |
| Motor power | 1/2 hp (5A DC) | 800W direct drive |
| Centering capacity | 68kg | 25kg |
| Wheelhead diameter | 305mm / 12" | 320mm / 12.6" |
| Speed range | 0–240 RPM | 0–300 RPM |
| Foot pedal | Cast aluminium (mechanical) | Hall-effect (contactless) |
| Direction | Bidirectional | Bidirectional |
| USB charging | None | USB-A & USB-C built-in |
| Warranty | 2 years (Potclays) | 3 years |
| Home trial | No | 30-day home trial |
| Free UK delivery | Check retailer | Yes — ships in 2 working days |
| Accessories included | Splash pan, 12" bat, DVD | None (sold separately) |
| Made in | USA | UK designed |
Price & What You Actually Get
At £1,929.96 inc VAT, the Brent B is £231 more expensive than the Kiln Crafts Thistle. The Brent does include a splash pan, a 12" Plast-i-Bat, and a throwing DVD in the box — the Thistle is sold as a wheel only, with accessories available separately. Factor in a splash pan and a bat and the gap narrows slightly, but the Brent B still comes in well above the Thistle on price.
Motor & Drive System
The Brent B runs a 1/2 hp DC permanent magnet motor through a 6-groove poly-v belt drive. The belt tensioning is automatic, which helps maintain consistent performance over time — but a belt is still a belt. It will wear, it will eventually need replacing, and it introduces one more maintenance variable over the life of the wheel. Brent wheels have a strong reliability record, and this is manageable, but it's worth knowing.
The Kiln Crafts Thistle uses an 800W direct-drive motor — roughly twice the motor power, with no belt in the system at all. Torque goes straight from motor to wheelhead. There's nothing to slip, nothing to tension, and nothing to replace. The feel stays consistent from the first session to the last.
Centering Capacity: The Brent's Big Number
The Brent B's headline spec is its 68kg continuous centering capacity. That's a genuine advantage if you work at scale — schools, production studios, and potters who regularly throw large sculptural or architectural forms benefit from that headroom.
For the majority of potters working at home or in a studio, though, 25kg is more than enough. The Thistle's 25kg rating covers large decorative vessels, ambitious production batches, and everything most serious potters will ever attempt. The Brent's extra capacity is real, but for most buyers it's unused headroom they're paying for.
Wheelhead Size & Speed
One comparison that runs counter to the Brent's premium price: the Brent B has a 305mm (12") wheelhead, while the Thistle's is 320mm (12.6"). The Thistle's wheelhead is slightly larger — at a lower price.
The same pattern holds for speed: the Brent B tops out at 240 RPM, while the Thistle reaches 300 RPM. For most throwing this difference is minor, but trimming and finishing work at higher speeds is more versatile on the Thistle.
Foot Pedal
The Brent B comes with a cast aluminium mechanical foot pedal with 1-metre cable. Brent's Classic Controller maintains constant speed under varying load, so the pedal response is consistent and controllable.
The Thistle's Hall-effect foot pedal reads position magnetically — there are no physical contacts, no wear, and no change in feel over time. It's a meaningful technical step forward from a mechanical pedal, and it's noticeable in practice on long throwing sessions where precise fine speed control matters.
Warranty & Buying Experience
The Brent B comes with a 2-year limited warranty from Potclays. The Kiln Crafts Thistle carries a 3-year warranty — one year longer — plus a 30-day home trial. You can use the Thistle in your own studio for a month and return it if it isn't right for you. No equivalent trial exists when buying a Brent through a UK retailer.
The Thistle also ships free throughout mainland UK in 2 working days. Brent B delivery costs and lead times depend on which retailer you use.
Verdict
The Brent B is a well-built, reliable wheel with a proven track record in schools and studios. If centering capacity above 25kg is a genuine requirement for your work, it earns consideration.
For most studio and home potters, the Kiln Crafts Thistle is the stronger choice — and it's £231 cheaper. It has a direct-drive motor, a larger wheelhead, a higher maximum speed, a Hall-effect pedal, a longer warranty, and a 30-day home trial. You pay a significant premium for the Brent B and get fewer modern features in return.
View the Kiln Crafts Thistle →
Also considering the Brent C? Read our Brent C vs Kiln Crafts Thistle comparison. Or browse the full pottery wheels collection.