Harriett Gordon on tue 23 sep 97
I do a lot of mixing of slip (and glazes). So for many years, I've been
buying Jiffy Mixers at Laguna Clay (mixers which fit into an electric
drill). They break relatively often, the gauge of the metal being rather
thin, and my mixtures (when I remix clay trimmings back into the slip)
being rather thick.
Laguna charges $15 for a 2 gal. size, or $39 for a 5 gal. size.
Just this week, (too lazy to drive out to Laguna) I stopped in at a large
hardware store, and in the paint section, found a "paint" mixer along the
same basic design, at $4.95 (the 5 gal. size), and for $2.95 there was a
smaller one designed for $2.95.
I wish I'd found this saving earlier on, but want to pass it along to all
you other Mixers out there.
Happy Potting. Harriett Gordon
Karen Gringhuis on wed 24 sep 97
Harriett - You get what you pay for in life most of the time. Be careful
that your new cheaper mixer #1. does NOT have a painted surface - if
it does, if you leave it wet for a long time, the paint can peel off
into your glazes, clay reclaim etc. (Just ask this woman who had
to seive it all out) #2. Do the blades have a protective surrounding
band so their edges don't chop tiny plastic bits out of the bucker
bucket sides when it hits?
Two warnings both from sad experience. Now I pay for stainless
steel every chance I get. I intend to be at this for a long
time. (How on earth do you break a mixer?) Karen Gringhuis
Malone & Dean McRaine on thu 25 sep 97
Aloha all:
Be careful of those paint mixers from the hardware store. The one I bought
was finished with some kind, probably epoxy, of tough blue substance. I use
it to mix slip and after 8-9 months that blue stuff started chipping off in
my slip. Several lost pieces later I finally took a torch and burned it all
off. It still works great after 3 yrs.
Dean
The surf is 15-18', awesome.
Harriett Gordon on thu 25 sep 97
MANY, MANY THANKS for your words of caution. It takes experience in
everything, so perhaps you've saved me from bad trouble. I think the big
mixer will be OK as to construction; it's chrome plated stainless steel,
and has a protective edge band. I assume the chrome plating will not come
off (?) The smaller one does lack a protective band, and could chop up
plastic, so I will be wary. (I too was surprised that the Jiffy mixers
wore out . It seemed to happen when I was mixing reclaimed chunky clay
into slip. But it was a proceedure I couldn't skip.)
Again, thanks.
Harriett Gordon in Alhambra
Vince Pitelka on thu 25 sep 97
>Two warnings both from sad experience. Now I pay for stainless
>steel every chance I get. I intend to be at this for a long
>time. (How on earth do you break a mixer?) Karen Gringhuis
You break them by using them until the abrasiveness of the glaze materials
wears right through the stainless steel. We have gone through many of them
at the Craft Center. And when you wear almost through that stainless steel
band, and it becomes sharp as a razor, you should see what it can do to a
plastic bucket. But Karen is right about the cheap ones. I have always
paid the price for stainless mixers. On thing more. I know that Jiffy
Mixer makes mixers much smaller than the ones available through ceramics
suppliers, and I'd love to get ahold of a very small one. Any ideas?.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
Home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Bill Walker on fri 26 sep 97
The reason I like Jiffy Mixers is that they tend to mix less air
into the slip or glaze than other types of mixers. This of course
depends on other things as well, like how the mixer is positioned
in the bucket, how much stuff is being mixed and the speed of the
mixer. Mixing air into a slip can cause bubbles in a cast piece.
This is a big problem for some slips. With other slips it doesn't
seem to matter as much.
And as someone pointed out, abrasive particles cause the mixer blade
to wear to a sharp edge. This can happen with any mixer, not just
Jiffy mixers. When they start to get sharp, get out a file and
round over the sharp edges.
Bill Walker
Alfred NY USA
walkerw@bigvax.alfred.edu
John Post on fri 26 sep 97
I know that Jiffy
>Mixer makes mixers much smaller than the ones available through ceramics
>suppliers, and I'd love to get ahold of a very small one. Any ideas?.
>- Vince
Hi Vince,
How small are we talking here? I have one that I use in pints of
commercial glaze and I did get it through a local ceramics supplier. Are
you looking for one even smaller than that?
John Post
johnpost@c3net.net
Cindy on fri 26 sep 97
I think maybe the reason the mixers wore out is the difference in pressure
caused by the chunky slurry. Mine came with instructions never to run the
drill/mixer unsubmerged. I assume that submersion stabilizes the l-o-n-g
mixer and supports the shaft, thus keeping it balanced. A chunky slurry
would counteract that, I'd imagine.
Just my theory--
Cindy in Custer, SD
(I too was surprised that the Jiffy mixers
> wore out . It seemed to happen when I was mixing reclaimed chunky clay
> into slip. But it was a proceedure I couldn't skip.)
> Again, thanks.
> Harriett Gordon in Alhambra
Darrol Shillingburg on sat 27 sep 97
Hi Vince,
I bought, used and eventually broke a small orange plastic jiffy mixer. No
band around it, just smooth rounded plastic blades. Great for mixing small
batches of slip in plastic containers with a variable speed electric drill.
Got it at Home Base or Home Depot. Came in two sizes as I recall.
Good luck.
Darrol in Elephant Butte, NM
Vince Pitelka on sat 27 sep 97
>Hi Vince,
>
>How small are we talking here? I have one that I use in pints of
>commercial glaze and I did get it through a local ceramics supplier. Are
>you looking for one even smaller than that?
>
>
>John Post
>johnpost@c3net.net
John -
If you have one you can use in pint containers, that is indeed smaller than
any I have found in the catalogs I have on hand. Who is your supplier??
Dannon Rhudy's suggestion of using a steel rod with holes drilled in the end
and a few links of chain crimped in the holes is indeed a good idea, and I
plan to try it. I am still interested in "micro" jiffy-mixers. I have also
received many private posts raving about the small hand-blenders, including
a tip to periodically oil the seal/bearing where the shaft protrudes from
the housing. Lots of good ideas, eh?
- Vince
Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
Home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Roeder on sat 27 sep 97
Hello clayarters,
I have a Jiffy Mixer...behind the large table, where I never use
it...Because, I bought a Turbo Mixer (from Axner..avail elsewhere
probably).
I LOVE the Turbo Mixer...does a much better job of mixing up a glaze
than the Jiffy. The Turbo Mixer comes in a very small size, too...8"
shaft length, 1.75" mixer head, 1 qt. container size. They have 7 sizes
in all, ranging to a whopping 42" shaft length, 12" mixer head 250
gallon container size.
I use this on glazes, slips, and dry ingredients, all with good results.
Candice Roeder
CRoeder@worldnet.att.net
June Perry on mon 29 sep 97
I agree Vince, there have been some very good ideas on these mixers. I hope
this one hasn't been listed yet.
I don't remember where I saw this, probably Ceramics Monthly. But some took a
toilet plunger and drilled holes in it and said it made a great glaze mixer.
I think he just used it in an up and down motion. I guess it's a good
alternative if the electricity goes out for 12 hours as it does here
periodically!
Has anyone ever tried this?
Regards,
June
S.Oregon
John Post on mon 29 sep 97
Hi Vince,
>If you have one you can use in pint containers, that is indeed smaller than
>any I have found in the catalogs I have on hand. Who is your supplier??
My supplier is Rovin Ceramics. Their phone # is (313)374-0010 Fax is
(313)374-0973.
They are located at 15333 Racho Road Taylor, Michigan 48180
The pint size mixer is model # LM-10.5 Shaft length is 10.5" Head Dia. is
1.25" Head depth is 1.25". It's designed for pint size bottles. I got
mine a couple of years ago for $15.00.
>Dannon Rhudy's suggestion of using a steel rod with holes drilled in the end
>and a few links of chain crimped in the holes is indeed a good idea, and I
>plan to try it. I am still interested in "micro" jiffy-mixers. I have also
>received many private posts raving about the small hand-blenders, including
>a tip to periodically oil the seal/bearing where the shaft protrudes from
>the housing.
>Lots of good ideas, eh?
As usual with clayart, ask a simple question and get a lot great ideas you
never thought of before.
John Post
johnpost@c3net.net
K. Urban on mon 29 sep 97
Vince,
Great Lakes Clay carries the Jiffy Mixer in the pint size. I just saw it
in my catalog.
Just in case you need their address it is
www.GREATCLAY.com
Grins,
Kaye in Colorful MI
One never knows when one tiny piece will pull the puzzle together.
John H. Rodgers on mon 29 sep 97
-- [ From: John H. Rodgers * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --
Vince, and all,
You might try Polytek Development Corporation. The last address I had for
them was P.O. Box 384, Lebanon, NJ 08833. Phone # (908) 534-5990.
These people put out a very interesting catalog on Moldmaking, Casting
Methods, and Materials. A lot of their stuff deals with polymer compounds
like urethane rubber, plastics, injection molding, etc. But there are some
things they carry that can be used by potters or other clay artists.
And they carry the stainless steel Jiffy Mixer with the cage on the
business end. They have two sizes. A one gallon size - about 18" long ( I
have about three or four of these) and a five gallon size.
Give them a call. They are always most helpful.
John Rodgers
The Alaska Guy
-------- REPLY, Original message follows --------
Date: Thursday, 25-Sep-97 06:59 AM
From: Vince Pitelka \ Internet: (vpitelka@dekalb.net)
To: CLAYART LIST \ Internet: (clayart@lsv.uky.edu)
Subject: Re: Jiffy Mixers & the competition
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Two warnings both from sad experience. Now I pay for stainless
>steel every chance I get. I intend to be at this for a long
>time. (How on earth do you break a mixer?) Karen Gringhuis
You break them by using them until the abrasiveness of the glaze materials
wears right through the stainless steel. We have gone through many of them
at the Craft Center. And when you wear almost through that stainless steel
band, and it becomes sharp as a razor, you should see what it can do to a
plastic bucket. But Karen is right about the cheap ones. I have always
paid the price for stainless mixers. On thing more. I know that Jiffy
Mixer makes mixers much smaller than the ones available through ceramics
suppliers, and I'd love to get ahold of a very small one. Any ideas?. -
Vince
Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
Home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
-------- REPLY, End of original message --------
Richard Gralnik on tue 30 sep 97
June,
I made one of these babies and made the mistake of trying it for the
first time on a half-full bucket of glaze. The fountain that erupted
through those holes as I enthusiastically began pumping away was a sight
to behold. Too bad my shoes weren't made of clay because they had a
beautiful coat of glaze on them!
Seriously, it works beautifully, and if you attach a long pole you
don't have to lift the bucket or bend over to mix it. Also, be sure
to use the flat bottom type of plunger head, not the one with the tube
that extends down for a better seal in the toilet bowl. You want the
plunger to sit flat on the bottom of the glaze bucket.
Great for the biceps and triceps too.
Richard
At 12:08 AM 9/29/97 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I agree Vince, there have been some very good ideas on these mixers. I hope
>this one hasn't been listed yet.
>
>I don't remember where I saw this, probably Ceramics Monthly. But some took a
>toilet plunger and drilled holes in it and said it made a great glaze mixer.
>I think he just used it in an up and down motion. I guess it's a good
>alternative if the electricity goes out for 12 hours as it does here
>periodically!
>
>Has anyone ever tried this?
>
>Regards,
>June
>S.Oregon
>
>
Corinne P. Null on tue 30 sep 97
Yes, indeed. Works great, and doesn't waste alot of glaze like the toilet
brushes do. I made 4 50cent sized holes in the bell (I used the flatter
of the plungers, not the one with the high dome).
>I don't remember where I saw this, probably Ceramics Monthly. But some took a
>toilet plunger and drilled holes in it and said it made a great glaze mixer.
>I think he just used it in an up and down motion.
>
>Has anyone ever tried this?
Corinne Null
Bedford, NH
cnull@MCIONE.com (New e-mail address)
Wilkinson on tue 30 sep 97
Hi June,
Yes, I have used the toilet plungers with the holes in them. They work
great and again the sizes of the bucket sort of dictates the size of the
plunger bulb and just how hard you plunge it. If you have a glaze that is
settled pretty tight to the bottom it needs to be loosened up first. I
like them because they can stay right in the bucket while glazing without
taking up too much room and are right there for a quick mix (or plunge)
between dips. The idea about the lid on the bucket (thank you) would help
eliminate a glaze face wash if you really get to plunging ;-)
Lori Wilkinson
Roswell NM enjoying the beautiful fall weather with the comfortably warm
days and cool nights. Wish it could stay this way all year
LorWilk@dfn.com
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/1165
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I agree Vince, there have been some very good ideas on these mixers. I
hope
> this one hasn't been listed yet.
>
> I don't remember where I saw this, probably Ceramics Monthly. But some
took a
> toilet plunger and drilled holes in it and said it made a great glaze
mixer.
> I think he just used it in an up and down motion. I guess it's a good
> alternative if the electricity goes out for 12 hours as it does here
> periodically!
>
> Has anyone ever tried this?
>
> Regards,
> June
> S.Oregon
stevemills on wed 1 oct 97
This one sounds identical to a tool used by mould makers in the UK to
mix plaster, and that is used in an up and down motion as suggested.
I make mixers here out of washing mashine pump impellers (small size)
and vacuum cleaner impellers (large size), both are plastic and require
little modification to mount them on a shaft, both are resistant to hard
use, though the larger version does last longer being made of heavier
grade plastic.
Steve
In message , June Perry writes
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I agree Vince, there have been some very good ideas on these mixers. I hope
>this one hasn't been listed yet.
>
>I don't remember where I saw this, probably Ceramics Monthly. But some took a
>toilet plunger and drilled holes in it and said it made a great glaze mixer.
>I think he just used it in an up and down motion. I guess it's a good
>alternative if the electricity goes out for 12 hours as it does here
>periodically!
>
>Has anyone ever tried this?
>
>Regards,
>June
>S.Oregon
>
--
Steve Mills
@Bath Potters Supplies
Dorset Close
Bath
BA2 3RF
UK
Tel:(44) (0)1225 337046
Fax:(44) (0)1225 462712
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