Dave Finkelnburg on mon 8 jan 01
Sherry,
Don't overlook the 3" Venco. It's probably more expensive than the
Bluebird, is for sure new. However, I looked at both at NCECA last year and
I think the Venco is better built.
Good luck!
Dave Finkelnburg
Idaho Fire Pottery
-----Original Message-----
From: Sherry Spickes
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Date: Monday, January 08, 2001 10:05 PM
Subject: Pugmill need
>I am looking for a pugmill - preferable deairing - small to medium
>size. Right now I'm considering the Bluebird 440V or the Shimpo PM -
>071V. Does anyone have advice for me, or better yet, know of a good
>pugmill for sale. I live in the Chesapeake Beach, Maryland area, and
>would be willing to drive a good distance to get a fair deal.
>
>I would appreciate your suggestions, and the benefit of your
>experiences, both good and bad.
>
>Thanks - Sherry
>
>___________________________________________________________________________
___
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Cindy Strnad on mon 8 jan 01
Hi, Sherry.
There's a ton of discussion in the archives on all the pugmill brands and
variations, and even some on home made pug mills. Check it out--I think
you'll be swamped, and very well-informed.
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
earthenv@gwtc.net
http://www.earthenvesselssd.com
Sherry Spickes on mon 8 jan 01
I am looking for a pugmill - preferable deairing - small to medium
size. Right now I'm considering the Bluebird 440V or the Shimpo PM -
071V. Does anyone have advice for me, or better yet, know of a good
pugmill for sale. I live in the Chesapeake Beach, Maryland area, and
would be willing to drive a good distance to get a fair deal.
I would appreciate your suggestions, and the benefit of your
experiences, both good and bad.
Thanks - Sherry
Martin Howard on tue 9 jan 01
Sherry, have a good look at the Venco de-airing 3" model, or larger if you
want.
They really do work well, without trouble, are easy to clean out and
maintain,
and make kneading and aching thumb joints just a memory.
Martin Howard
Webb's Cottage Pottery
Woolpits Road, Great Saling
BRAINTREE, Essex CM7 5DZ
England
martin@webbscottage.co.uk
Marj Beynon on tue 9 jan 01
I highly recommend the Shimpo de-airing pug mill. I have had mine for
nearly 3 years and I am very pleased with the clay that it processes, ease
of use and cleaning. One suggestion: have a split receptable : ie 15 amps
to each plug or be able to plug into receps. that are on separate lines and
are drawing small amount of power, such as lights . MarjB
Michael Rutkowsky on tue 9 jan 01
I have used the bluebird since'85 no problems at all. I would highly
recommend it.
-----Original Message-----
From: Marj Beynon
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Date: Tuesday, January 09, 2001 9:08 AM
Subject: Re: Pugmill need
>I highly recommend the Shimpo de-airing pug mill. I have had mine for
>nearly 3 years and I am very pleased with the clay that it processes, ease
>of use and cleaning. One suggestion: have a split receptable : ie 15 amps
>to each plug or be able to plug into receps. that are on separate lines and
>are drawing small amount of power, such as lights . MarjB
>
>___________________________________________________________________________
___
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
vince pitelka on tue 9 jan 01
> Don't overlook the 3" Venco. It's probably more expensive than the
> Bluebird, is for sure new. However, I looked at both at NCECA last year
and
> I think the Venco is better built.
Dave -
The Venco has the "look," with that cast aluminum barrel. The Bluebird is
not nearly as pretty. But I can say from experience that the Bluebird is
extremely well built. We have a Venco 4" deairing, and a 4" Bluebird
non-deairing. We use the Bluebird as the workhorse because the non-dearing
mill is so much faster, and it does and excellent job. I can't really
comment on which one is more trouble-free, because in the seven years I have
been at the Craft Center, during which both mills have been used very
heavily, we have not had a damn thing go wrong with either one.
I know people who have deairing Bluebirds, and are delighted with them. I
know that Jonathan Kaplan loves his. The Bluebird barrel on the larger
mills is formed from sheet steel, but it is sturdy construction, and all the
other components (motor, bearings, etc.) are equal in quality to the Venco.
It makes for a hard choice.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Home - vpitelka@dekalb.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
CMN on wed 10 jan 01
on 1/9/01 7:12 PM, vince pitelka at vpitelka@DEKALB.NET wrote:
>> Don't overlook the 3" Venco. It's probably more expensive than the
>> Bluebird, is for sure new. However, I looked at both at NCECA last year
> and
>> I think the Venco is better built.
>
> I know people who have deairing Bluebirds, and are delighted with them. I
> know that Jonathan Kaplan loves his. The Bluebird barrel on the larger
> mills is formed from sheet steel, but it is sturdy construction, and all the
> other components (motor, bearings, etc.) are equal in quality to the Venco.
> It makes for a hard choice.
Thanks Vince for the kind words!
Yes we have 2 Bluebirds. My original is a 440 Stainless Vacuum pugmill that
I purchased in the late 1970's. This puppy has gone through numerous
rebuilds and now sports a brand new gearbox, an brand new motor, and a Gast
vacuum pump. I rewired it for 240 volts. New sprockets and chain. Still
pugging after all these years.
Our second Bluebird is a the big Powerstar. Rewired it for 240 also. This
machine is a workhorse and puts out press consistency clay day after day. It
is a breeze to disassemble and clean.
I do like the availability of OEM parts through Graingers or from Bluebird.
Call Trina at Bluebird. They are a very customer oriented company and at
least with ups, their machines have a proven track record.
Call me if I can help with your decision.
Best
Jonathan
--
KLeSueur@AOL.COM on wed 10 jan 01
In a message dated 1/10/01 1:00:13 AM, vpitelka@DEKALB.NET writes:
<< The Venco has the "look," with that cast aluminum barrel. The Bluebird is
not nearly as pretty. But I can say from experience that the Bluebird is
extremely well built. We have a Venco 4" deairing, and a 4" Bluebird
non-deairing. We use the Bluebird as the workhorse because the non-dearing
mill is so much faster, and it does and excellent job. >>
The Bluebird is also an excellent power extruder. Once you've extruded with
it you'll never go back to hand extruders. The quality of the the extrusion
is just so much better.
Kathi LeSueur
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