Dorothy Weber on mon 25 jan 99
My wife and I are both potters who now are seeing the results of poor body
mechanics, etc., and so we are considering purchasing our first pug mill --
hopefully our only pug mill. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best make
or "must have" features. We only use maybe 1000lbs of clay a month, so this
isn't high production. We also need one to ten pound balls of clay to throw
with. Thanks.
Alex Wilson on mon 25 jan 99
Hello, I'd suggest that you get any de-airing mill with the largest exit
nozzle you can find. For ten pound balls; extrude one inch from the mill,and
weigh it, then work out how many inches for ten pounds. You can make a jig for
pound weights from an old pram wheel (US=Stroller) and some nails banged into
the rubber in appropriate spots.
Good Luck to you, on Robert Burns' Birthday,
Alex
Beth Ward on tue 26 jan 99
I just bought a Peter Pugger Power Wedger which is a mixer and deairing pug
mill. This is the first time in my life I have ever had clay exactly the way
I want it....
I had a Blue Bird Mixer before and hate it. All it does is push the clay into
a ball on top of the mixer blades..
The Power Wedger is glorios. If I don't like that I throw, I throw it back
into the mixer!!!
OH GAWD I LOVE THAT THING!!!
Beth
Muddfolks Pottery
Nick Zappa on tue 26 jan 99
Webers: My wife and I also needed a pugmill several years ago(7yrs) and
bought a Venco 4" deairing pugmill. We loved it the first time we turned it
on and eliminated much clay prep. I often throw 20+ lbs. of clay and just
pound it down. When throwing tall pieces and pieces with 4 to 8 inch
bottoms I do shape into round balls as this has eliminated s cracks. We use
it daily and do minimal maintenance. It's easy to clean etc. Great machine.
If you have any questions contact off list at njzappa@rmi.net Nick Zappa
-----Original Message-----
From: Dorothy Weber
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Monday, January 25, 1999 12:07 PM
Subject: My first Pugmill
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>My wife and I are both potters who now are seeing the results of poor body
>mechanics, etc., and so we are considering purchasing our first pug mill --
>hopefully our only pug mill. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best
make
>or "must have" features. We only use maybe 1000lbs of clay a month, so this
>isn't high production. We also need one to ten pound balls of clay to throw
>with. Thanks.
>
Lili Krakowski on wed 27 jan 99
I bought my Bluebird about 15 years ago; it is their smallest model, and
not de-airing, and the barrel is regular not stainless steel. Furthermore
the Bluebird brand was made by--was it Judson?-- and now is made by some
other company. HAVING SAID ALL THIS; I LOVE THE LITTLE DARLING. IT HAS A
DRAYTON MOTOR replaceable if it came to that, becuae that is a national
brand any electrical supply house understands) and a rubber spider (also a
national brand, I think it's its called Lovejoy, is that possible, or am I
in romantic mood?) but ALSO available anywhere. The machine once needed a
bearing replaced (also a part available anywhere, though I did have a
machinist put it in.) Beyond the need to repalce bearing and spider the
pugmill has never
given me a moment's trouble, it is small enough for me to lift and move,
and it supplies more than enough clay. |T also was the least expensive
smallest pugmill around. Totally satisfactory.
Good luck
Lili Krakowski
Kathi LeSueur on thu 28 jan 99
In a message dated 1/27/99 9:38:11 AM, you wrote:
>I bought my Bluebird about 15 years ago; it is their smallest model, and
>not de-airing, and the barrel is regular not stainless steel. Furthermore
>the Bluebird brand was made by--was it Judson?--
I had this same model pugmill. I sold it several years ago and it's still
being used daily. I believe that Judsons are still own or are involved with
the company but that Bluebird was spun off from Judson pottery. Even that
model was powerful enough to extrude from. The same philosophy used in
designing and building that machine is followed today. I can't recommend the
company strong enough.
Kathi
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