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small ball mill source?

updated sun 27 jan 08

 

John Sankey on wed 23 jan 08


Can anyone recommend a small ball mill for grinding glaze
materials finer? I've only found one on the net, at
http://www.unitednuclear.com/mills.htm
and they don't seem to answer emails. They recommend ceramic
balls for lowest contamination of material; any comments?

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Richard Aerni on wed 23 jan 08


John,
Yes, porcelain balls seem to be the standard. I had a ball mill made with a
converted dryer motor, some gearing, pulleys and a couple of steel rollers
and bearings. Cheap and easy. I've thrown a five gallon jar, but usually
use glazed porcelain two gallon jars that I picked up over the years.
Find someone who is good with his/her hands and has some tools and access to
parts, and they should be able to knock one up for you pretty easily.
Best,
Richard Aerni
Rochester, NY

John Sankey on thu 24 jan 08


Many thanks for the replies (most were off-list), one of
which pointed out that United Nuclear refuses to ship
outside the 48 states, but that their mills work very
well. Several people gave up trying to buy one and made
their own.

Would any Clayarter living in the US 48 be willing to order
one of their 3 lb mills with ceramic media $65+$14 shipping
and forward it to me by USPS? If so, contact me offline
to arrange method of payment etc.
http://www.unitednuclear.com/mills.htm

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Ivor and Olive Lewis on thu 24 jan 08


Dear John Sankey,=20

I made jars and balls from Porcelain fired to cone 8 down.

There are small ball mills which are designed for Gemstone polishing. =
These are not suitable for milling glaze materials. They work by =
abrasion of the larger fragments by the smaller fragments. So you are =
effectively wearing down the balls which will cause dilution of the =
ceramic raw material you intend grinding. Ideally the balls should =
cascade so that they fragment the CRM by impact. Wear on the balls is =
minimised.

The best sources of information I know are Michael Cardew, "Pioneer =
Pottery" ; Harry Davis, "The Potter's Alternative", or from Stephen =
Harrison who published a pamphlet and drawings for a ball mill. The =
title was "Thoroughly Modern Milling". Cost me a couple of dollars back =
in the 1970's

Best regards,

Ivor.

Hank Murrow on thu 24 jan 08


On Jan 23, 2008, at 10:26 PM, Ivor and Olive Lewis wrote:

>
> The best sources of information I know are Michael Cardew, "Pioneer
> Pottery" ; Harry Davis, "The Potter's Alternative", or from Stephen
> Harrison who published a pamphlet and drawings for a ball mill. The
> title was "Thoroughly Modern Milling". Cost me a couple of dollars
> back in the 1970's

And now, Harrison's books(I have three) are available at Ian Currie's
site.... http://ian.currie.to/ ........next to last link on his
page.

Cheers, Hank
www.murrow.biz/hank

Ivor and Olive Lewis on fri 25 jan 08


Dear Hank Murrow,=20

Stephen Harrison was one of the contributing authors of Handbook for =
Australian Potters.

What are the titles of his other texts?

All the best,

Ivor

John Sankey on fri 25 jan 08


Clayart is such a great place for meeting people who help each
other! I had two offers to buy and reship a ball mill before my
digest even arrived, and have gratefully accepted one.

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Hank Murrow on sat 26 jan 08


On Jan 24, 2008, at 10:04 PM, Ivor and Olive Lewis wrote:

> Dear Hank Murrow,
>
> Stephen Harrison was one of the contributing authors of Handbook
> for Australian Potters.
>
> What are the titles of his other texts?

Dear Ivor;

You may see his books at http://www.ian.currie.to/sh/
Steve_Harrisons_books.html

And order from there as well.

Cheers, Hank