David Hendley on tue 28 sep 04
----- Original Message -----
> How do you keep your clay for a whole year without drying out? Double and
> triple bag it? Pug it wet?
> Cindi
I double bag the first half of the batch, which becomes the last to be used
when stacked. And, I am careful not to mix it too dry.
Others might also be interested in knowing about my clay bags. I recently
had to buy some more, after more than 10 years of use from the last batch.
I use bags with the opening on the "wide" side of the bag - for an 18" X
26" bag, the opening is on the 26" side.
The pug of clay is on the table, and I put my hands inside the bag, and
place it, bottom seam down over the clay. Then the clay is flipped over -
this turns the bag inside out. The open end is then folded in all for
directions (like covering a box with gift wrapping), and flipped over
again, so the clay holds the bag closed. Each bag holds 30-35 pounds
of clay.
It may sound complicated, but this is much faster than putting a bag
with a small opening around a pug of clay and using a twist tie to tie
it off.
I got this idea from my local clay supplier, Blackjack Clay Co., which
uses this system, except they seal the bag with a 4" square label.
I have not been able to find a source for bags like this - all "stock"
bags have the opening on the small side (Blackjack has them custom
made in large quantities). So, I buy 26" X 26" 3 mil thick bags and cut
them down to 26" X 18" with a paper cutter. It takes an hour to cut
250 bags - I can put up with the inconvenience once every 10 years
for the time saved every time they are used.
David Hendley
david@farmpots.com
http://www.farmpots.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> > My solution is to have 2 pug mills - a 5 HP, 900 pound home
> > made job that I use only about once a year to make my clay
> > for the whole year...
Mike Gordon on wed 29 sep 04
Brilliant Angela!! I hope your keeping dry! If thats possible. Mike
Gordon in Walnut Creek, Ca. I'm missing the 90 degree weather already.
On Sep 29, 2004, at 7:55 PM, Angela Davis wrote:
> We have a neat method of bagging clay from the pugger
> at school. A stool with a dozen or so plastic bags pulled down over
> it (on top of each other) is placed at the business end of the
> pug mill . As the pugs are delivered they are stacked on the stool,
> usually 3 in a pyramid and then the top bag is pulled up and over the
> stack.
> Viola! Instantly bagged clay.
> We do fold the excess bag legnth over the bundle and turn it over so
> the
> weight of the clay holds it shut. This method is a real time saver.
>
> Angela Davis
Angela Davis on wed 29 sep 04
We have a neat method of bagging clay from the pugger
at school. A stool with a dozen or so plastic bags pulled down over
it (on top of each other) is placed at the business end of the
pug mill . As the pugs are delivered they are stacked on the stool,
usually 3 in a pyramid and then the top bag is pulled up and over the
stack.
Viola! Instantly bagged clay.
We do fold the excess bag legnth over the bundle and turn it over so the
weight of the clay holds it shut. This method is a real time saver.
Angela Davis
Hope I have described this clearly, 4 Hurricanes has left my head spinning.
If you have a question I'll be happy to explain.
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Hendley"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2004 5:46 PM
Subject: Re: mixing your own clay bodies - CLAY BAGS
> ----- Original Message -----
>> How do you keep your clay for a whole year without drying out? Double
>> and
>> triple bag it? Pug it wet?
>> Cindi
>
> I double bag the first half of the batch, which becomes the last to be
> used
> when stacked. And, I am careful not to mix it too dry.
>
> Others might also be interested in knowing about my clay bags. I recently
> had to buy some more, after more than 10 years of use from the last batch.
> I use bags with the opening on the "wide" side of the bag - for an 18" X
> 26" bag, the opening is on the 26" side.
> The pug of clay is on the table, and I put my hands inside the bag, and
> place it, bottom seam down over the clay. Then the clay is flipped over -
> this turns the bag inside out. The open end is then folded in all for
> directions (like covering a box with gift wrapping), and flipped over
> again, so the clay holds the bag closed. Each bag holds 30-35 pounds
> of clay.
> It may sound complicated, but this is much faster than putting a bag
> with a small opening around a pug of clay and using a twist tie to tie
> it off.
>
> I got this idea from my local clay supplier, Blackjack Clay Co., which
> uses this system, except they seal the bag with a 4" square label.
> I have not been able to find a source for bags like this - all "stock"
> bags have the opening on the small side (Blackjack has them custom
> made in large quantities). So, I buy 26" X 26" 3 mil thick bags and cut
> them down to 26" X 18" with a paper cutter. It takes an hour to cut
> 250 bags - I can put up with the inconvenience once every 10 years
> for the time saved every time they are used.
>
> David Hendley
> david@farmpots.com
> http://www.farmpots.com
>
>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> > My solution is to have 2 pug mills - a 5 HP, 900 pound home
>> > made job that I use only about once a year to make my clay
>> > for the whole year...
>
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