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Shimpo Whisper vs Kiln Crafts Thistle

Looking at a Whisper?

Whisper or Thistle? Two quiet direct-drive wheels, compared.

If you're looking at a Shimpo Whisper, you want a quiet wheel that won't fight you. That's exactly what the Thistle is for too. Here's where each one comes out ahead, using UK prices and published specs.

UK prices checked 13 October 2026Every figure linked to its sourceKiln Crafts isn't connected to Shimpo

Pick the wheels you want to compare

Kiln Crafts wheels

Shimpo wheels

Side by side

On a phone? Swipe the table sideways to see every wheel.

How much clay can it centre?

The most clay the maker or UK retailer says the wheel can centre in one go.

What that means in real life: a mug takes roughly half a kilo of clay, and a big serving bowl 2–3kg. A whole 12.5kg bag in one go is a very large pot. Most people throwing at home never come close to the limit of any wheel here, so big numbers matter far less than they look.

Price, and what comes with it

The wheel price, and whether batts, tools and a stool are in the box.

If a wheel doesn't include batts, tools or a stool, you'll need to add them. Delivery isn't included for any wheel.

Will it fit?

Each wheel's floor space, drawn to scale next to a dining chair. Change the wheels above and this updates.

Footprints are the maker's or UK retailer's published dimensions. Leave room around the wheel to sit and move.

The honest bit

Where Shimpo comes out ahead

  • The RK-3D and RK-3E centre up to 45kg; the Thistle centres 25kg.
  • Shimpo quotes 30 decibels for the Whisper-T. We don't publish a decibel figure for the Thistle yet.
  • The RK-3E has a bigger wheelhead (35cm vs 32cm).

Where ours are different

  • An 800W motor, double the RK-3E's 400W.
  • £1,699, against £1,869 for the RK-3E at Potclays and Bath Potters.
  • A 3-year warranty: we fix it or replace it. UK retailers quote Whisper warranties of 2 years, or 5 years with parts only after year one.
  • Hall-effect pedal, USB-A and USB-C charging, and free UK delivery.

Not sure? Three questions.

Tell us what you want to make and we'll point you to a wheel. Sometimes that won't be one of ours.

What do you want to make?

Where will the wheel live?

Roughly what's your budget?

Questions people ask

Is the Thistle as quiet as a Whisper?

Both are direct drive, with no belt, and both go silent when you take your foot off. Shimpo publishes 30dB for the Whisper-T. We haven't published a decibel figure, so we'd rather not claim one. You've got 30 days at home to judge it yourself.

I throw big pieces. Which should I get?

If you regularly centre more than 25kg, the RK-3E or RK-3D is built for it and the Thistle isn't. For most people throwing at home, 25kg is a lot of clay.

What does the 30-day home trial mean?

Set the wheel up at home and throw on it. If it isn't right for you within 30 days of it arriving, send it back for a full refund. It applies to our own wheels: Poppy, Daisy and Thistle.

Ready to have a look?

Every Kiln Crafts wheel has a 3-year warranty and 30 days at home to decide. And if you'd rather talk it through, we pick up the phone.

See the PoppySee the DaisySee the ThistleGet in touch

Keep making.

Crafted with passion, delivered with care.

KILN CRAFTS

Shimpo and Whisper are trademarks of Nidec-Shimpo Corporation. Product names belong to their owners and are used here only to compare. Prices are those shown by the named UK retailer on 13 October 2026 and may have changed since. Specs come from the maker's website or the named retailer; where sources disagree, we say so. Kiln Crafts prices are live from this site. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll correct it.

Sources