DC motor control

[Barrywan]

I may be in the wrong place as any other questions on this are way over my head. But, here goes"

I want to use a 90 volt permanent magnet DC motor and control it with either a pedal or a dial. This is for a potter's wheel. This wheel originally had a big reostat (5A) built into a pedal. I got it with neither the motor of the pedal. The maker of the wheel said that this analog system made more consistent power, easily to adjust speed and made it quieter than an electronic controller. The replacement reostat is now $800,,,so, any thoughts?
Thanks,
Barry
This is wheel in question:

http://bluebird-mfg.com/SplashTrim.jpg

This is a link to a solid state wheel system.

Wheel Parts : Brent - The Ceramic Shop

www.theceramicshop.com

 

[betwixt]

Those prices are extortionate!
The optimum control system depends on the motor specification. See if there is an identification plate on the motor body or a part number and let us know it or better still attach a photograph with the ID visible in it. My first through is to build a PWM controller, it isn't difficult and is far more efficient and certainly far cheaper than a rheostat but no all motors work well when driven with PWM signals.

Brian.