BVCuma on tue 22 oct 02
Check out these machines...
http://www.geocities.com/bvcuma/index13.html?1035295171980
http://www.geocities.com/bvcuma/index14.html?1035296704730
Used in Indian food processing...
"Wet Grinders" for masala's containing coconut
or purees of palak (spinach)
Making rice batter for "idlees" etc.
So I took a chance they might work for me..
The come in two varieties..
Mortar pedestal and pan mill roller type.
I got a seven liter capacity for clay mixing..
Does nicely 5 kgs dry plus 4 kg water
Total 9 kgs..after dewatering 1kg
It yields 8 kgs working consistency clay...
Perfect for test batches..
It was messy at first till I tuned into the working method..
too wet and Chunky is not good
as centrifugal forces throw the lumps outside
and "whack" the slip collecting at the stationary "paddle"
Mud in yur eye.
I use dry powdered materials
on top or into the water..
on/off the switch two three times
to get things moving..
then let her go.
Half an hour later "scoop" out the material
while moving (relatively safe)
shut her down and load up
the next batch of preweighed materials.
No mess no fuss.
Not a single splash.
It really shines when doing cotton fibre
or 35 mesh grog in the claybody..
Reduces the size and integrates
meshes into a mixed blend..
pulp is separated into single fibers.
I like to add .25 to .5% in my stoneware bodies.
(they will stand up to more demanding inputs..
think polypropylene strands in slabs)
Wicking doesn't seem a problem when throwing.
The smaller version is Pan mill roller type
and is more efficient (but not as fun)
No dialing into the "zone" required : (
where all the variables create the perfect wave that dives
into the "sweet spot" for a good grinding ; )
So it is nice for glazes..
this model is a home duty type
and does nicely..scaled up test glaze batches
I used 1 kg dry glaze material
Though it could handle more..
Grind it as a paste
and scoop it out..
use more water to liquefy the remaining material
2-3 times and combine... gives you a nice brushing consistency..
Meanwhile the new weighed "batch" is ready to go..
Usually twenty minutes grind is good...
The units come in
1.5, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 and 40 litre capacity
I have 1.5 and 7... will get a 20 litre..
maybe a forty
when I feel the need.
Mostly testing still...
and recycling
and extensive carving
so production is not really my thing.
Four most important pieces of equipment..
Kiln, wheel, scale and... mixer/grinders
I wouldn't build a studio without one.
Bruce
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