Talbott on sun 26 jan 97
I would appreciate any comments on the quality of those Bluebird
pugmills... I would be getting a 4" deairing pugmill or similar size. I am
seriously considering a Venco but want to get advice on the dollar for
dollar value comparison of the two. Also if you are aware of other good
quality pugmills then please let me know. I need a good quality machine
that will give me few headaches.... Marshall
1ST ANNUAL CLAYARTERS' GALLERY - NAPLES, MAINE (Summmer 1997)
{contact me directly for more information}
Celia & Marshall Talbott
Pottery By Celia
Route 114
P.O. Box 4116
Naples, Maine 04055-4116
(207)693-6100 voice and fax
clupus@ime.net
sam wainford on mon 27 jan 97
Talbott wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I would appreciate any comments on the quality of those Bluebird
> pugmills... I would be getting a 4" deairing pugmill or similar size. I am
> seriously considering a Venco but want to get advice on the dollar for
> dollar value comparison of the two. Also if you are aware of other good
> quality pugmills then please let me know. I need a good quality machine
> that will give me few headaches.... Marshall
>
> 1ST ANNUAL CLAYARTERS' GALLERY - NAPLES, MAINE (Summmer 1997)
> {contact me directly for more information}
> Celia & Marshall Talbott
> Pottery By Celia
> Route 114
> P.O. Box 4116
> Naples, Maine 04055-4116
> (207)693-6100 voice and fax
> clupus@ime.net
Marshall,
I bought the Bluebird Model 440 de-airing pug a couple of years ago for
around $1600. I'm very happy with its performance. Cleaning is a bit
of a pain, but then any pug would be. Also, I wish it were a stainless
steel barrel instead of aluminum, as there is some pitting and "sponge"
in the casting of the barrel, but it's not enough to be a serios
problem. All in all, it has been a very satisfactory machine, and
perfect for me since I make clay by the slip method, then dry it in
plaster tubs. Into the pug, then a quick wedge if I feel like getting
in tune with the clay, so to speak. Often I use clay directly from the
pug. The pug diameter is only 3" though and is a bit small for a
throwing lump. The larger machine should be better. I also have the
extrusion attachment and sometimes just pug with it. I think it is 6"
diameter. It has really taken the drudgery out of wedging and
reclaiming. Technical support at Bluebird is very good as well.
I keep the machine covered with plastic with wet sponge on the hopper
and its ready to use without cleaning in between. It takes about 6
weeks of no use to require a full cleaning. Although I don't own a
bluebird mixer, I have used them. Their products are workhorses.
Don't know anything about Venco.
Sam, in balmy Georgia
Richard Ramirez on mon 27 jan 97
Just read your post on pugmills. Here is my 2cents. I just purchased a 3"
de-airing Venco for my classroom here in ca. I would have purchase a 4" if a
had the extra money but schools don't necessarily get all their needs met,so
what cash I had I went ahead an ordered this one.
After setting it up and pugging out some clay , this is my report on this
particular machine.1. not having a on/off switch on the vacuum pump machine
was a pain ,cause you had to pull the plug to shut it off,2. small opening
and constantly cleaning goowy clay from where clay is fedin to the machine 3.
noise level is low, thats good 4. does a good job of mixing and de-airing
clay 5. too bad can't use hard or dry clay 6. making sure oil levels are ok
are tough if you don't carry a flashlight to look down the oil tube; besides
what I mention , I think I'm happy with the overall performance of this
pugmill.
sincer, RGRamirez
Dave and Mary Kuilema on tue 28 jan 97
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I would appreciate any comments on the quality of those Bluebird
>pugmills... I would be getting a 4" deairing pugmill or similar size. I am
>seriously considering a Venco but want to get advice on the dollar for
>dollar value comparison of the two. . Marshall
I have used a bluebird for 8 years, and have had to replace the spider-- a
soft rubber washer that helps transfer the motor to auger motion-- twice,
and the spring- this opens and shuts a door into the vacuum chamber-- once.
These repairs were easy to make, even for me. The machine is not too easy
to clean, but I solve this problem by never cleaning it. At $1400 it was a
bargain in '88, I don't know about current prices. For my one person
studio, the venco would have been overkill.
Mary
behrends on tue 28 jan 97
I got a bluebird pugmill about a year ago, to replace a shimpo that whore
out and I couldn't get replacement parts for. I love the bluebird, its fast
easy and strait forward. The people at blue bird are good to work
with.>----------------------------
Kirby Benson on wed 29 jan 97
Dear Mary,
I have also had the same Bluebird since about 1988 or 87 and have never
replaced anything. How do you know if those parts you mentioned need to be
replaced?
Yours,
Kirby Benson
Las Cruces, NM
kbenson@zianet.com
Dave and Mary Kuilema on fri 31 jan 97
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>. How do you know if those parts you mentioned need to be
>replaced?
>Kirby Benson
1) The spring broke. This was because ( I think ) I cleaned it and poked
at it too much. As previously stated, I now try not to clean anything too
much.
2) This spider just crumbled apart. I could hear the drive shaft clunking
against the gear during operation. I have replaced this twice. You can
perhaps see the bits of black rubber beneath the motor housing if it is in
the process of disintegration.
3) Forgot to mention that I have also replaced the gasket on the vacuum
chamber. It just dried out and I couldn't get any vacuum pressure without
leaning on it.
All told though, it was the best investment I have made in ceramic
equipment, time-saving, wrist-saving, I even recycle clay regularly instead
of waiting until its a crisis of mammoth proportions.
I avoid cleaning by keeping the whole machine covered tightly w/ plastic,
with a couple of wet sponges stuffed on top of the hopper and adding a
splash of water occasionally, when I won't be pugging for a while. I do
change clay bodies; just start feeding the other clay into the hopper, and
plan on about 14 lbs. of a hybrid body. I use it for those one-of-a-kind
pots that you can charge extra for.
Mary Kuilema
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