Teresa Testa on fri 12 dec 03
I have decided the next step in upgrading my studio is to get a pug mill.
I have been checking on line and they are all very expensive. I use a
sculptural method to create my work and end up throwing out about 80% of the very
expensive porcelain I use. I use about 1000 lbs every 6 months. It is getting
very expensive. My work is selling very well and it and I think the cost is
justified by the savings.
I have never used a pug mill before and I really don't know much about them.
I would appreciate a little advice and direction.
Does it take a lot of time to reclaim the clay?
Would it be a good idea to buy a used one?
Teresa Testa
Windancer Studio, Las Vegas NV
David Beumee on fri 12 dec 03
> I have never used a pug mill before and I really don't know much about them.
> I would appreciate a little advice and direction.
Hi Teresa,
I use a Bluebird Model 440 deairing pugmill for conditioning the porcelain
I use on the wheel, and it has worked very well for me, mainly to lessen the
wedging chores, though I'm sure it would work well for reclaiming moist clay.
It works great for combining softer clay from the manufacturer with stiffer
clay that happens very fast in the dry climate of Colorado, not to mention
Nevada. The pugmill definately comes with the responsibility of keeping moist
clay running through the machine on a regular basis to keep it from drying
into chunks inside the machine. Also, the black rubber spider gear that comes
with the machine is replacable with a tougher orange one that lasts a lot
longer and is available from Bluebird. You have to grease a coulple of zirks
every six months or so to maintain the machine. It's a small pugmill,
producing only a 3" pug of clay, but it's plenty enough for one individual and
was the least expensive new pugmill I could find. If you are lucky enough to
find a used one, check it out carefully and run some clay through it before
buying. If the machine has been cared for, pugmills can last a long time and
give more than one ownner good use.
David Beumee
Earth Alchemy Pottery
Lafayette, CO
> I have decided the next step in upgrading my studio is to get a pug mill.
> I have been checking on line and they are all very expensive. I use a
> sculptural method to create my work and end up throwing out about 80% of the
> very
> expensive porcelain I use. I use about 1000 lbs every 6 months. It is getting
> very expensive. My work is selling very well and it and I think the cost is
> justified by the savings.
>
>
> Does it take a lot of time to reclaim the clay?
>
> Would it be a good idea to buy a used one?
>
> Teresa Testa
> Windancer Studio, Las Vegas NV
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> 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.
Gordon Ward on fri 12 dec 03
Teresa,
If you are recycling dry scrap (trimmings, etc.) , have a look at the Peter
Pugger. Otherwise there are quite a few to choose from. De-airing is
a must for porcelain. I bought a Venco around 20 years ago and it is
still pugging along quite nicely. I have run in excess of 100,000
pounds through it. If you can find one with shreading screens that
remove easily (ie: you don't have to take the whole machine apart) it
would be a good feature. You would be surprised how much ends up
in there.
A used machine can be a good way to go, but it may be hard to find a
good used one.
Good luck,
Gordon
Sherrill Eatherly on sun 14 dec 03
Teresa,
I just bought a pugmill a couple months ago. I wanted to start reclaiming,
don't like wedging, and wanted to be able to mix. I was like you and had
never used one before and did a lot of research on the various ones,
including feedback from here. I bought the Peter Pugger VPM20. I am really
happy with it. The "instruction" booklet that comes with it is a little
bare. I called the company and they were incredibly helpful. They taught me
a lot. It's very easy to use, and as they told me, it takes getting used to
using it; how long it takes to mix and pug, getting the moisture the way you
want it, how much clay it holds, etc. It is a short learning curve and
people with lots of helpful information to get you going. They said that
because I had never used one before it would be easier for me learn how to
use theirs because I wouldn't have to unlearn from using pugmills that only
pug. It de-airs great, I love that. I like mixing my clay the night before
so I have one batch to pug when I start out in the morning. It's going to
take me a while to use up all this clay I have accumulated for years. I kept
saving mine and had it everywhere, and then buying new clay. I won't have to
buy any for a while.
I live in Tennessee and found there is a huge difference in shipping
charges from one vendor to the next. The price of the pugmill doesn't vary
that much, but shipping charges were quoted from $189-625, pugmill and
stand. In addition, they don't advertise it until you get the pugmill
delivered, but for $20 more on the one I got, you can put wheels on the
stand which will enable you to move it around if you want to. They come on
the VPM30. It's one of the more expensive ones, but I felt like in the long
run in would suit my needs best because I wouldn't have to buy a mixer, and
I knew from others that it would last for years with very little
maintenance.
Have fun,
Sherrill
----- Original Message -----
From: "Teresa Testa"
To:
Sent: Friday, December 12, 2003 8:22 AM
Subject: What kind of pug mill should I buy?
> I have decided the next step in upgrading my studio is to get a pug
mill.
> I have been checking on line and they are all very expensive. I use a
> sculptural method to create my work and end up throwing out about 80% of
the very
> expensive porcelain I use. I use about 1000 lbs every 6 months. It is
getting
> very expensive. My work is selling very well and it and I think the cost
is
> justified by the savings.
>
> I have never used a pug mill before and I really don't know much about
them.
> I would appreciate a little advice and direction.
>
> Does it take a lot of time to reclaim the clay?
>
> Would it be a good idea to buy a used one?
>
> Teresa Testa
> Windancer Studio, Las Vegas NV
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> 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.
>
Leland G. Hall on sun 14 dec 03
Hello Teresa, all,
I am following all posts regarding pubmills/mixers with close scrutiny, as
I have begun saving my pennys for equipment that will get me out of the
boxed clay/wedging game. I'm leaning heavily toward the Peter myself. It
has become clear that they relaim and deair well.
Me question is, does the large Peter pugger dry batch well?
Best Regards
Leland Hall
Before The Wheel Enterprises
Raku Pottery and Sculpture
La Pine, OR,
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Original Message as follows:
On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 01:46:04 -0600, Sherrill Eatherly
wrote:
>Teresa,
>
>I just bought a pugmill a couple months ago. I wanted to start reclaiming,
>don't like wedging, and wanted to be able to mix. I was like you and had
>never used one before and did a lot of research on the various ones,
>including feedback from here. I bought the Peter Pugger VPM20. I am really
>happy with it. The "instruction" booklet that comes with it is a little
>bare. I called the company and they were incredibly helpful. They taught me
>a lot. It's very easy to use, and as they told me, it takes getting used to
>using it; how long it takes to mix and pug, getting the moisture the way
you
>want it, how much clay it holds, etc. It is a short learning curve and
>people with lots of helpful information to get you going. They said that
>because I had never used one before it would be easier for me learn how to
>use theirs because I wouldn't have to unlearn from using pugmills that only
>pug. It de-airs great, I love that. I like mixing my clay the night before
>so I have one batch to pug when I start out in the morning. It's going to
>take me a while to use up all this clay I have accumulated for years. I
kept
>saving mine and had it everywhere, and then buying new clay. I won't have
to
>buy any for a while.
>
>I live in Tennessee and found there is a huge difference in shipping
>charges from one vendor to the next. The price of the pugmill doesn't vary
>that much, but shipping charges were quoted from $189-625, pugmill and
>stand. In addition, they don't advertise it until you get the pugmill
>delivered, but for $20 more on the one I got, you can put wheels on the
>stand which will enable you to move it around if you want to. They come on
>the VPM30. It's one of the more expensive ones, but I felt like in the long
>run in would suit my needs best because I wouldn't have to buy a mixer, and
>I knew from others that it would last for years with very little
>maintenance.
>
>Have fun,
>Sherrill
>
Paul Herman on sun 14 dec 03
Hello Leland,
I use a Peter Pugger VPM-30 to mix new clay, by blending slaked clay
with dry. The entire body is dry blended first. The PP handles it fine,
and makes 30-35 lb batches. It's a great little machine, and I have no
complaints after two years.
I think they are working on a bigger model, 50 or 60 pound.
This is my first de-airing machine, and it makes a huge difference. Most
shapes can be made from fresh clay, and aging is less important, but
still helps of course.
good mixing,
Paul Herman
Great Basin Pottery
423-725 Scott Road
Doyle, California 96109 US
potter@psln.com
----------
>From: "Leland G. Hall"
> Hello Teresa, all,
> I am following all posts regarding pubmills/mixers with close scrutiny, as
> I have begun saving my pennys for equipment that will get me out of the
> boxed clay/wedging game. I'm leaning heavily toward the Peter myself. It
> has become clear that they relaim and deair well.
>
> Me question is, does the large Peter pugger dry batch well?
>
> Best Regards
>
> Leland Hall
> Before The Wheel Enterprises
> Raku Pottery and Sculpture
> La Pine, OR,
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