Jon Pettyjohn on mon 8 sep 97
Hi,
I'm another satisfied customer of the Venco 3 in. de-airing
pug mill. I've been using it a few months now after having
done everything by hand for quite a few years (age finally
caught up with me) and I find that one quick wedging after
pugging is usually enough. I have noticed though that the
pugged clay seems a little more difficult (stubborn maybe?)
to center than the hand wedged-kneaded. Hand prepared clay
seems better mixed somehow, more homogenous in consistency
maybe than the pugged and deaired clay, which is denser and
definitely has fewer or no air bubbles.
I went to the shop this morning to throw some large bowls
and found I couldn't do too much with the pugged and once
wedged clay.
The pugged clay seems ok up to about 10 lbs. or so but
with larger amounts up to 15-20 lbs. I have found it much
more difficult to center and form. I solved the problem by
giving the pugged clay some additional kneading (about 5
minutes worth) and this clay seems much better than either
the only pugged or only hand prepared clays. I was able to
throw some bowls that seemed to me both larger and better
formed than I'd ever made before with hand only perpared clay.
I'm no physics expert but I have a feeling that the repetitive
motion of spiral type kneading somehow enhances plasticity,
no question though that the pugmill removes air more thoroughly.
My personal opinion after a short time with my Venco is that
although the pug mill is an invaluable tool it can't always
take the place of kneading and that in some circumstances the
combination of pugging and kneading will give the best results.
some unsolicited opinions from
Jon Pettyjohn Manila jon@mozcom.com
Craig Martell on tue 9 sep 97
Hey John:
I've used a venco 4" mill for the past 18 yrs and I've always done a bit of
kneading before I throw, so I guess that I'm agreeing with you. I actually
knead everything, right down to teabowls and smaller stuff. I'll knead
large amounts of clay and then cut it to size for the little pots. I do
spiral kneading and orient the spiral and grain of the clay in the direction
of the rotating wheel. I've taken short cuts, as in not kneading, and the
throwing is not as pleasant. I like to throw, so I want the experience to
be as pleasant as possible. That's part of my payment for making pots. I'm
always a day late and a few mugs short, but I still take time to knead. I
might also mention that I use porcelain, if that has any bearing on the subject.
Regards, Craig Martell-kneading in The Beaver State
VICTOR JOHNSTON on wed 10 sep 97
Can someone give me information on these Venco mills? I,m looking for a
way to mix clay. I can get a variety of brick clays from a brickyard not
too far away. They come dry and I need a good way to mix them, etc.
>>> Craig Martell 09/09/97 03:46am >>>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Hey John:
I've used a venco 4" mill for the past 18 yrs and I've always done a bit of
kneading before I throw, so I guess that I'm agreeing with you. I actually
knead everything, right down to teabowls and smaller stuff. I'll knead
large amounts of clay and then cut it to size for the little pots. I do
spiral kneading and orient the spiral and grain of the clay in the direction
of the rotating wheel. I've taken short cuts, as in not kneading, and the
throwing is not as pleasant. I like to throw, so I want the experience to
be as pleasant as possible. That's part of my payment for making pots.
I'm
always a day late and a few mugs short, but I still take time to knead. I
might also mention that I use porcelain, if that has any bearing on the
subject.
Regards, Craig Martell-kneading in The Beaver State
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