Skip to content

That light thud from your new Daisy

Daisy pottery wheel · Help

Hearing a light thud from your new Daisy?

First, nothing's broken. It's the drive belt settling in after its journey to you, and it fades as you use the wheel.

Below is what's going on inside, what's normal, and when we'd like you to give us a ring.

  • It's normalA kink in the belt from 2–3 months boxed up
  • It fades as you use itThe more the wheel runs, the more the belt relaxes
  • Still there after two weeks, or getting louder?Get in touch and we'll take a look at your wheel
Inside a Daisy pottery wheel, looking up from underneath: a large six-spoke aluminium pulley, a black rubber drive belt and the motor below it
Taken with a cover off so you can see inside. You'll never need to do this.
What's inside

Your Daisy is turned by a belt.

Underneath the wheelhead, a rubber belt links the motor to a large pulley. When you press the pedal, the motor turns the belt and the belt turns your wheel. It's a smooth, simple way to drive a wheel.

  1. Wheel pulleyThe big wheel under the wheelhead. It turns with your clay.
  2. Drive beltThe black rubber loop. This is where the thud comes from.
  3. MotorDrives the belt from below.

You don't need to open the wheel, adjust anything or take a cover off. Everything on this page happens with the wheel closed up.

Why it happens

Two to three months without turning once.

Between being made and arriving at yours, a Daisy spends a long time boxed up and still. All that time, the belt sits in the same position, bent round its pulleys.

  1. MadeThe belt is fitted
  2. BoxedPacked up for the journey
  3. ShippedWeeks on the move
  4. StoredWaiting for you to order
  5. With youThe belt moves for the first time in months
2–3 months, and the belt doesn't move once.So the bit that was bent round a pulley takes on a slight set: a kink.
A belt that has been moving runs flat; a belt that has sat bent round a pulley for months keeps a small kink A belt that's been running After 2–3 months sitting still the kink

Think of a garden hose that's been coiled up all winter.

When you first unroll it, it wants to stay curled. Use it for a while and it lies flat again. Your Daisy's belt is the same: rubber that's been held in one shape for months keeps a little of that shape until it's been running for a while.

How the Daisy's belt drive makes the thud Looking up from underneath the wheelhead: a rubber belt loops round a large wheel pulley and the motor's small pulley. A kinked section of belt travels round the loop and gives a soft thud each time it reaches a pulley. thud thud Motor small pulley Wheel pulley turns the wheelhead Drive belt
Looking up from underneath the wheelhead
What you'll hear

A light, regular thud.

As the belt goes round, the kinked section rides over the pulleys. Each time it does, it gives a small bump, and that's the soft thudding you can hear.

Because it happens every time the belt comes round, it's a steady rhythm rather than a random knock. Speed the wheel up and the thud speeds up with it.

The more the belt runs, the more that kink relaxes, so the thud gets quieter as the days go on.

What to expect

Your first two weeks.

What to expect over the first two weeks An illustration, not a measurement. The normal pattern is a thud that's most noticeable on day one and fades over the following days. If it's still there at day 14, or it gets louder at any point, get in touch. Loud Quiet Day 1 Day 7 Day 14 Fading: normal Louder: call us
  • Normal: it fades with use
  • Getting louder: call us

An illustration, not a measurement. Every belt settles at its own pace.

Most noticeable on the first few days, then quieter as the belt loosens up. You don't need to do anything special. Just use your wheel, because that's what settles it.

The two things we'd like to hear about:

  • It's still there after two weeksBy now it should have faded, so we'd like to take a look.
  • It's getting louder, at any pointThat's not what we'd expect from a belt settling in. Don't wait for the two weeks to pass.
Quick check

Normal, or time to call us?

That's normal
  • A light, soft thud
  • It's regular, and keeps time with the wheel
  • Your wheel is less than two weeks old
  • It's quieter than when you first switched on

Keep making. It'll settle.

Get in touch
  • It's still there after two weeks
  • It's getting louder
  • It doesn't sound like what's described here
  • Something just doesn't feel right to you

Call us. We'll take a look at your wheel.

Getting in touch

Not sure? Ask us. That's what we're here for.

You don't need to be certain something's wrong to call. If it's worrying you, that's reason enough.

  1. Record a short video10–20 seconds with the sound on and the wheel spinning. It helps us hear exactly what you're hearing.
  2. Have your order number handyIt's in your order confirmation email.
  3. Call or email usRing 01202 144142 or email support@kilncrafts.co.uk.
Call 01202 144142Send us a message

Your Daisy comes with a 3-year warranty, fixed or replaced.

Questions we get asked

Is my wheel faulty?

No. A light, regular thud in the first couple of weeks is the belt settling after months boxed up. It's normal, and it fades with use. If it's still there after two weeks, or it gets louder, get in touch and we'll look at it.

Can I use my wheel while it's settling?

Yes. Using it is what settles the belt, so carry on throwing.

Do I need to adjust or tighten anything?

No. There's nothing to adjust, and you don't need to take any covers off. Just use the wheel.

Why don't you sort it before it's sent?

The kink forms on the journey to you, while the wheel sits boxed and still. It can only start to settle once the belt is moving again, and that's at yours, the first time you press the pedal.

It's been two weeks and I can still hear it. What now?

Ring us on 01202 144142 or email support@kilncrafts.co.uk with a short video and your order number. We'll take a look at your wheel, and it's covered by your 3-year warranty.

Keep making.

Crafted with passion, delivered with care.

KILN CRAFTS