Nancy on sat 22 sep 07
Nancy
go to bailey's website and click on the demo for the slab roller, it
shows you how to take slices and join them while rolling throught he
slab roller. maybe that will help you.
Nancy
Nancy Udell wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> After developing tendonitis, carpal and cubital tunnel (!) I am
> embarking on learning how to use pugged clay rather than clay out of
> the bag in my work. I just had way too many leftovers and the clay
> was too hard. Am having a hard time finding the answers i need in
> the archives, so put out these questions to the generous group.
>
> I use large slabs in my work, sometimes 2 feet square. When I was
> using clay out of the bag, I would drop the 25lb block of clay onto a
> canvas covered board on the floor repeadedlly until it was thin
> enough to get through the slab roller.
>
> What do I do with the pugs? Can I just "mush" them together when
> they are soft? Do I have to score them? When I make 25 lbs into a
> block and then drop it, I can see the "fault lines." I use press
> molds in my work and mush the clay into them using a "poochie" sock
> filled with grog before rolling. Will this solve any "fault line"
> problems or am I courting disaster? I saw a reference in the
> archives to "welding the pug" but I don't know what this means.
>
> Also, do I have to let the clay sit after it comes out of the
> machine? Or can I use it right away to make slabs? I saw a
> reference in the archives to letting the clay sit or "cure.".
>
> Can I just cut the pug into round slices and press (or throw) them
> onto the molds and then poochie? Skip the slab step all together?
>
> By the way, throwing with the pugged clay is like being in potter
> heaven. I can center and throw 15 lbs no problem -- what a joy.
> It's like "buttah." I bought the VPM-9 from Peter Pugger. Am
> already wishing I got the next bigger size, but do love that little
> machine.
>
> I have a lot more questions but am working through this new process.
> Any references to books with good info on this would be great. Have
> not seen what I am looking for in my available references.
>
> Thanks as always for generous input.
>
> Nancy Udell
> Santa Fe, New Mexico
> 505.984.9907
> www.clayandcolor.net
>
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Nancy Udell on sat 22 sep 07
Hi All,
After developing tendonitis, carpal and cubital tunnel (!) I am
embarking on learning how to use pugged clay rather than clay out of
the bag in my work. I just had way too many leftovers and the clay
was too hard. Am having a hard time finding the answers i need in
the archives, so put out these questions to the generous group.
I use large slabs in my work, sometimes 2 feet square. When I was
using clay out of the bag, I would drop the 25lb block of clay onto a
canvas covered board on the floor repeadedlly until it was thin
enough to get through the slab roller.
What do I do with the pugs? Can I just "mush" them together when
they are soft? Do I have to score them? When I make 25 lbs into a
block and then drop it, I can see the "fault lines." I use press
molds in my work and mush the clay into them using a "poochie" sock
filled with grog before rolling. Will this solve any "fault line"
problems or am I courting disaster? I saw a reference in the
archives to "welding the pug" but I don't know what this means.
Also, do I have to let the clay sit after it comes out of the
machine? Or can I use it right away to make slabs? I saw a
reference in the archives to letting the clay sit or "cure.".
Can I just cut the pug into round slices and press (or throw) them
onto the molds and then poochie? Skip the slab step all together?
By the way, throwing with the pugged clay is like being in potter
heaven. I can center and throw 15 lbs no problem -- what a joy.
It's like "buttah." I bought the VPM-9 from Peter Pugger. Am
already wishing I got the next bigger size, but do love that little
machine.
I have a lot more questions but am working through this new process.
Any references to books with good info on this would be great. Have
not seen what I am looking for in my available references.
Thanks as always for generous input.
Nancy Udell
Santa Fe, New Mexico
505.984.9907
www.clayandcolor.net
Ingeborg Foco on sat 22 sep 07
Nancy,
I work with a lot of large slabs and run my clay thru a pug mill. I
frequently "weld" two pugs together in order to make the piece long enough.
Take real care in that aspect because it's real easy to get air bubbles in
the slab. I always pound the edge thinner so the slab roller is able to
handle it. Get a rubber mallet, it saves the wrists and hands from the
pounding.
If you can slam the second pug down that's a good way. It's pretty hard
though when you are working with something that is 20" long to hit the
target. I will "moosh" it with my fingers (technical term), and then take a
rubber mallet to pound it into the other pug. Most of the time that works
but not always. If you see bubbles, open them up, fill them with excess
clay and use a rib to smooth the clay.
You can also run the slab thru the slab roller again with the fixed parts
but I find it really difficult to manage a huge piece of heavy clay
especially since I don't have a long feeding table. As for letting the clay
sit, I personally use it right away if I need it. In my opinion that's the
purpose of a pug mill; pug and use the clay.
Sincerely,
Ingeborg
www.thepottersworkshop.com
the Potter's Workshop & Gallery
P.O. Box 510
3058 Stringfellow Road
Saint James City, FL 33956
On 9/22/07, Nancy Udell wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
>
> What do I do with the pugs? Can I just "mush" them together when
> they are soft? Do I have to score them? When I make 25 lbs into a
> block and then drop it, I can see the "fault lines." I use press
> molds in my work and mush the clay into them using a "poochie" sock
> filled with grog before rolling. Will this solve any "fault line"
> problems or am I courting disaster? I saw a reference in the
> archives to "welding the pug" but I don't know what this means.
>
>
Nancy Udell on sun 23 sep 07
Thanks to those who responded off list with very helpful info. For
the archives (of which I am a dedicated user) here are the answers I
got.
If the clay is soft enough, you don't have to worry about "welding
the pug." Slamming or rolling them together should have the desired
effect. One person suggested slicing the pugs long ways and
"poochie-ing" them directly into the press molds -- skipping the slab
step altogether. Also it was recommended to alternate direction when
putting pugs togehther -- first the head (part that came out of the
pub mill first) then the foot (part that came out of the pug mill
last) etc.
I think the main thing for me is getting the clay soft enough and
it's just going to take some time to get a feel (pun intended) for
how soft the pug will be when it comes out. RIght now I am getting
rid of a TON of old clay I had laying around, but when I get down to
using powedered clay and water, I assume it will be easier to gage.
Thanks again for clayart -- Lili it is my online university. I have
learned 85% of what I know about how to do things in the studio by
reading this list (and, always, the archives).
Nancy Udell
Santa Fe, New Mexico
505.984.9907
www.clayandcolor.net
Lauren Bellero on sun 23 sep 07
from nancy udell:
>What do I do with the pugs? Can I just "mush" them together
>when they are soft? Do I have to score them?
i'm sure there are many ways to do this (actually my technical
term is "smush"). but here are 2 ways that i've used. the first,
before i got my pugmill and slab roller, was to lay (hand made)
coils side by side and use my fingers to push the clay over/into
the seams between coils. then, using my thumb, spread the clay in
the opposite direction over the seams. it is better explained by
looking at a picture . you can then put this through your slab
roller (i initially used a good large rolling pin and wooden
strips for height). you can see a couple of pictures here
http://mudslingers.home.att.net/coil-slab.jpg
now, using the pugs and the slab roller, i start by either folding
the pugs in half (depending on what length pug you start with and
what length slab you want to wind up with), and and whacking them
with a mallet my husband made me which is piece of a 4x4 with an
ax handle. i whack the slab on a slight angle to force the seam
together (both sides). i do this right on the slab roller and then
just run it through.
>Also, do I have to let the clay sit after it comes out of the machine?
i have not found it necessary to wait, but i pug a bunch and store
the pugs in a couple of large plastic (leaf) bags in bins with lids.
i use them right from the bin.
best of luck,
lauren
--
Lauren Bellero, Mudslingers Pottery
http://mudslingerspottery.net
Red Bank, NJ
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