John on tue 21 mar 06
I have searched the archives and read most of the information, but much of it is old. Has anyone
been using the new Bailey (de-airing) mixer-pugmills? I have had great success with the Bluebird
440 (de-airing) pug mill that I use for my high school ceramics classes, but I am looking for
something with a larger hopper that does not have to be constantly fed. Any suggestions for
something that would work well for reclaiming in a large studio/classroom? Thanks.
-John
Michael Wendt on wed 22 mar 06
John,
All pug mills have the need to be fed
in common. We run a 2200 lb/hour
pug mill and hand feed it with chunks
about the size of your fist.
If we put any thing larger in, it forms
a bridge over the auger and just sits
there.
Ribbon mixers can do large batches
at a time and make the entire batch
the same uniformity. The large hopper
mouth is a good choice for an industrial
setting but a liability in a class room.
The Peter Pugger is the all in one
choice I recommend. I have no stock
in the company and am not a paid
endorser.
These units mix like a ribbon mixer
only under a vacuum so that the clay is
uniform and deaired before it comes
out of the pug end.
Regards,
Michael Wendt
Wendt Pottery
2729 Clearwater Ave
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
USA
wendtpot@lewiston.com
www.wendtpottery.com
John wrote:
I have searched the archives and read most of the
information, but much of it is old. Has anyone
been using the new Bailey (de-airing) mixer-pugmills?
I have had great success with the Bluebird
440 (de-airing) pug mill that I use for my high school
ceramics classes, but I am looking for
something with a larger hopper that does not have to be
constantly fed. Any suggestions for
something that would work well for reclaiming in a
large studio/classroom? Thanks.
-John
Belinda Willis on thu 23 mar 06
I live about two hours away from the Peter Pugger factory in Ukiah,
California so when I was looking into pug mills, I gave them a call. They
have a deal where if you pick up the machine yourself, they=92ll knock the
price of shipping off the cost and if you pay cash, that=92s worth another
discount. They damn near build a small house around their machines before
shipping them and I had cash so I saved close to $1000 off the price of a
VPM-30.
While at the facility, we met the whole crew and they gave us a fantastic
tour of their new manufacturing plant. We got to see how they pack up
their machines for shipping =96 absolutely incredible! The one they were
sending off that morning was going to Germany.
One of the most interesting things we saw was a Peter Pugger that had been
returned for repairs. Seems someone dropped an 8-inch screwdriver into the
hopper, which they sent to the factory along with the damaged machine =96 my=
contractor husband recalls it was =93a big ass screw driver.=94 When the fo=
lks
tied to mix their clay, instead of the screwdriver stalling the motor, the
pugger poked the screwdriver thru the cast aluminum body of the hopper.
Right straight thru the metal. THICK metal. Big hole. The guys at the
factory had cut out the mangled metal and were getting ready to weld up a 3
inch hole. The repair fell under the warranty.
With a Peter Pugger, you throw all your scraps into the hopper and hit the
mix button. Leather hard, bone dry, trimmings, fist size chunks, it doesn=92=
t
matter. Add water as needed, mix for a few minutes then turn on the vacuum
pump and hit the pug button to reverse the auger. Life is good. Its an
expensive machine but cheaper than carpel tunnel treatment and it=92ll make
you feel like royalty.
If you live within driving distance of Ukiah, you might give the Peter
Pugger People a call. I have no associations with the company except as a
happy customer.
I apologize if I sound smug but I AM one lucky chick and I know it.
| |
|
