Ken & Mely Yancey on fri 5 may 06
In my opinion, deciding on a pugmill to purchase has been=20
one of the more difficult decisions to make regarding=20
pottery equipment. I have ruled out the Peterpugger simply=20
because it is just too darned expensive for my budget. I use=20
less than a ton of clay a year so I don=92t need a big machine=20
and slaking scrap or mixing dry material is not difficult=20
for me. It seems easy enough to have clay prepared for=20
pugging in a standard pugmill. But here are my questions:
I have my eye on a Shimpo NRA-04 because of its twin augers,=20
compact design, 115v requirement, and of course its price.=20
But what about the vacuum pump? How necessary would it be=20
for a twin auger pugmill?
I am also looking at the Bailey A-400. This has a vacuum=20
pump but looks like it could take up a lot of space. The=20
clay extrudes through a smaller hole (2.5 inch) which tells=20
me the extruded clay might need further wedging just to=20
combine the smaller extrusions. Would I be correct in that=20
assumption? Also the handle looks a little awkward, too=20
long. However, the price is excellent and it looks very well=20
built. Does anyone on this list have one?
Are pugmills like potters wheels when it comes to function?=20
In other words, you can=92t really go wrong in buying a name=20
brand wheel. Brent, Shimpo, Bailey, Pacifica I=92ve tried them=20
all. All hard working, reliable wheels. Problem is, I=92ve=20
never even seen a pugmill let alone had the opportunity to=20
use one. I have read about 80% of the archives on=20
potters.org. The consensus is that a pugmill is a godsend=20
when it comes to wedging and the stresses it places on the=20
wrists, so ultimately, that is what I would prefer. A=20
pugmill that produces clay requiring the least wedging.
Please, any thoughts?
Ken
Norman Aufrichtig on fri 5 may 06
the peter pugger is a little costly, but not when one considers
how good a job it does.
if you use less than a ton of clay a year then i would think that
there are extended times when the pug mill isn't in use....in an unused
pug mill the clay dries out and it is a real pain to get working again,
something to think about.
another thought, if you use clay slowly it tends to dry out while in the
box, so it would be good to get a machine that can easily get the clay to
a consistency that one likes throwing with.
i throw a few tons a year, there are times i take off for a few weeks
or am away doing shows, the peter pugger keeps the clay as i left it.
simple to use, it is the best clay management tool i have ever had. have
been
making my living selling my pottery for over 35 years. another reason it'=
s
good,
as i am getting older,(late 60's) and don't have to spend valuable
time and energy preparing the clay.
just my thoughts, i have no connection with the peter pugger company.
norman
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken & Mely Yancey"
To:
Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 5:40 AM
Subject: [CLAYART] Deciding on a Pugmill
> In my opinion, deciding on a pugmill to purchase has been
> one of the more difficult decisions to make regarding
> pottery equipment. I have ruled out the Peterpugger simply
> because it is just too darned expensive for my budget. I use
> less than a ton of clay a year so I don=92t need a big machine
> and slaking scrap or mixing dry material is not difficult
> for me. It seems easy enough to have clay prepared for
> pugging in a standard pugmill. But here are my questions:
>
> I have my eye on a Shimpo NRA-04 because of its twin augers,
> compact design, 115v requirement, and of course its price.
> But what about the vacuum pump? How necessary would it be
> for a twin auger pugmill?
>
> I am also looking at the Bailey A-400. This has a vacuum
> pump but looks like it could take up a lot of space. The
> clay extrudes through a smaller hole (2.5 inch) which tells
> me the extruded clay might need further wedging just to
> combine the smaller extrusions. Would I be correct in that
> assumption? Also the handle looks a little awkward, too
> long. However, the price is excellent and it looks very well
> built. Does anyone on this list have one?
>
> Are pugmills like potters wheels when it comes to function?
> In other words, you can=92t really go wrong in buying a name
> brand wheel. Brent, Shimpo, Bailey, Pacifica I=92ve tried them
> all. All hard working, reliable wheels. Problem is, I=92ve
> never even seen a pugmill let alone had the opportunity to
> use one. I have read about 80% of the archives on
> potters.org. The consensus is that a pugmill is a godsend
> when it comes to wedging and the stresses it places on the
> wrists, so ultimately, that is what I would prefer. A
> pugmill that produces clay requiring the least wedging.
>
> Please, any thoughts?
>
> Ken
>
>
_________________________________________________________________________=
___
__
> 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.
>
>
>
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Maurice Weitman on fri 5 may 06
Hello, Ken,
You don't say what you'll be doing with the clay once it's been
pugged, but I think if you'll be throwing, you'd be happier if it
were de-aired.
The following might not answer your questions directly, but I hope it
will be helpful.
I'm using a Bluebird 440, a small, low-tech, yet reliable de-airing
jobbie with a 1/3 hp motor. Its output is 3" and I never have to
re-wedge it. I usually don't use more than a 15" length, about 8#,
at a time. If I need more for a pot, I'll center additional pugs
after centering the first.
The Bluebird is an old design, has a single auger and is not the
easiest to clean (as in changing over to another body), but since I
rarely do that, it's not a problem. Another advantage of its design
is that most of its drive parts (motor, gear box, couplings, vacuum
pump) are stock parts readily available from places like Grainger.
It produces around 300# an hour, comparable to most in this size and
price range, and if you're using a ton a year, wouldn't break a sweat
for your volume. The way I use mine, though, it's not unusual for me
to pass the same clay through the mill more than once; either adding
recycled clay to fresh, or just freshening up a log that I didn't use
since it was pugged yesterday.
I bought mine used, and it was in quite rough shape, but aside from
an extensive cleaning and lubricating, I only had to replace the
vacuum pump.
I, too, researched quite a bit, and, like you, I was nervous about
buying one without having used it. So I phoned around and found
potters who used various ones, spoke with them, and tried them out.
Maybe I spent too much time and effort, and maybe money is tighter
for me than for you, but I would strongly suggest you do something
like that.
I saw the Shimpo at NCECA, and it looked like a fine machine. It
appears that you live near Tampa, right? If so, take a ride down to
Axner, check out their pug mill and others they sell. When you look
at the Axner, ask them for names of local potters who use them and
contact them. Their machine seems to be a good value, and being near
the manufacturer can be beneficial.
And I would also look at used machines. I paid around $1,000 for my
Bluebird, and have seen Venco 3" de-airing models, also I think very
fine, small (studio-sized) units, for low $1,000s. In many ways, I
think the Venco is better made than the Bluebird, but as I said, I'm
very happy with my little pugger.
I hope that helps.
Regards,
Maurice
Ken Yancey wrote:
>In my opinion, deciding on a pugmill to purchase has been one of the
>more difficult decisions to make regarding pottery equipment. [...]
Pfeiffer, Dan (Dan R) on fri 5 may 06
=20
We has one of axner's small vacuum pugmill and like it a lot. It makes
3" pugs which is the reason we went with axner's and not baileys, that
and axner's has a bit larger motor. Cheap as pugmills go and easy to
use. We do not wedge after pugging but for long pugs I tamp both ends of
the clay to shorten it before putting it on the wheel. Getting a pugmill
was one of the better things we have bought. In using it we have learned
a few tricks that help a lot. One of the easiest is to add water to box
clay, let sit on its side, and a week latter you cut it up and feed the
pugmill. After a few tries you find just how much to add and you end up
with great soft clay ready to throw. We make long pugs, 4' and wrap them
in plastic, do about 6 in 2 hours or less and then cut to size as needed
when ready to use them. You also do not need to weigh clay, which I find
very time consuming, just weigh one inch of pug and from then one just
measure along a pug. Way faster!
Dan & Laurel in Elkmont Al=20
Pfeiffer Fire Arts=20
www.pfeifferfirearts.com
Potters Council Members=20
je motzkin on sat 6 may 06
I haven't heard anybody vote for venco. I love mine.
judy
/motzkin/studio/7 TUFTS Street/Cambridge, MA 02139/
617-547-5513/jmotzkin@yahoo.com/
http://www.motzkin.com/
http://spiritkeeper-urns.com
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.
Doric T. Jemison-Ball II on tue 9 may 06
I'm currently looking at purchasing a PUGMILL and have pretty much settled
on the Shimpo NRA-04S twin stainless steel augurs. I am primarily a hand
builder and am not particularly concerned with DE-AIRING but rather with
reclaiming clay. Has anyone had experience with this pugmill.
In looking around, Clay King [ http://www.clay-king.com] seemed to have the
best deal-discount from list, free shipping and no sales tax if yoiu don't
live in their home state of South Carolina. While I'd like to support my
local supplier, on an item like this, the savings get tough to pass up. Then
again, has anyone had any experience with Clay King? Good guys?
Doric T.Jemison-Ball II
BBS-LA
707-884-5067 Voice
707-884-4449 FAX
818-606-6678 CELL
buffalo@bbs-la.com
http://www.bbs-la.com
"You can always cure the sausage that is too long." Susan Gatherers
----- Original Message -----
From: "Betty Burroughs"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 2:25 PM
Subject: Re: Deciding on a Pugmill
>I recently purchased the smallest of the Peterpugger pugmills.....the
> VPM-20.....and consider it one of the best investments I have made. I,
> too,
> use less than a ton of clay a year but with the pugmill's stainless steel
> augers and cast aluminum chambers, I throw in all my trimmings, wet or
> dry,
> slops, dried clay, etc. and it will stay there with no contamination for
> months, if necessary, until I am ready to mix and pug.
> I did look at some other models by other makers but chose the Peterpugger
> because it seemed the most care-free for its size.
> > Betty Burroughs
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ken & Mely Yancey"
> To:
> Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 5:40 AM
> Subject: [CLAYART] Deciding on a Pugmill
>
>
>> ....In my opinion, deciding on a pugmill to purchase has been
>> one of the more difficult decisions to make regarding
>> pottery equipment. I have ruled out the Peterpugger simply
>> because it is just too darned expensive for my budget. I use
>> less than a ton of clay a year so I don=92t need a big machine
>> and slaking scrap or mixing dry material is not difficult
>> for me. It seems easy enough to have clay prepared for
>> pugging in a standard pugmill........
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> 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.
>
Betty Burroughs on tue 9 may 06
I recently purchased the smallest of the Peterpugger pugmills.....the
VPM-20.....and consider it one of the best investments I have made. I, too,
use less than a ton of clay a year but with the pugmill's stainless steel
augers and cast aluminum chambers, I throw in all my trimmings, wet or dry,
slops, dried clay, etc. and it will stay there with no contamination for
months, if necessary, until I am ready to mix and pug. The chamber is
completely sealed so it doesn't dry out. I also put new clay into it and mix
and de-air it before throwing and find there is no need at all for wedging
by hand. (It actually wedges better and eliminates air bubbles better than I
could ever do by hand!) Now all my energy can be spent on making pots!
The size of this model is only 42" long by 20" high and 13" wide so it is
not too large for my smaller studio. And it eliminates all those buckets of
slops and boxes of dried scraps I used to have hanging about. Another good
feature is that there are no extrusion screens to wear out or be replaced
and it is easy to clean out when I want to change clays. It's also very
quiet when mixing.
I did look at some other models by other makers but chose the Peterpugger
because it seemed the most care-free for its size.
(I have no connection to the Peterpugger company other than being a very
satisfied customer!)
Betty Burroughs
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken & Mely Yancey"
To:
Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 5:40 AM
Subject: [CLAYART] Deciding on a Pugmill
> ....In my opinion, deciding on a pugmill to purchase has been
> one of the more difficult decisions to make regarding
> pottery equipment. I have ruled out the Peterpugger simply
> because it is just too darned expensive for my budget. I use
> less than a ton of clay a year so I don=92t need a big machine
> and slaking scrap or mixing dry material is not difficult
> for me. It seems easy enough to have clay prepared for
> pugging in a standard pugmill........
m.mshelomi on wed 10 may 06
Hey...
Think that there were a couple of messages about the Shimpo.
Have you checked the archives? Seems to me those folks who had one
were pleased.
Have ordered materials from Clay-king. Nothing big, however. The
stuff I ordered came in a timely manner. Had ordered over the internet
(because their prices were so good) so never delt with a person/people.
pottermim
----- Original Message -----
From: "Doric T. Jemison-Ball II"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 11:15 PM
Subject: Re: Deciding on a Pugmill
> I'm currently looking at purchasing a PUGMILL and have pretty much settled
> on the Shimpo NRA-04S twin stainless steel augurs. I am primarily a hand
> builder and am not particularly concerned with DE-AIRING but rather with
> reclaiming clay. Has anyone had experience with this pugmill.
>
> In looking around, Clay King [ http://www.clay-king.com] seemed to have
> the
> best deal-discount from list, free shipping and no sales tax if yoiu don't
> live in their home state of South Carolina. While I'd like to support my
> local supplier, on an item like this, the savings get tough to pass up.
> Then
> again, has anyone had any experience with Clay King? Good guys?
>
>
>
> Doric T.Jemison-Ball II
> BBS-LA
> 707-884-5067 Voice
> 707-884-4449 FAX
> 818-606-6678 CELL
>
> buffalo@bbs-la.com
> http://www.bbs-la.com
Gina Dewar on thu 11 may 06
I have a 3" deairing Venco and love it. I bought it to save my wrists, even
though I do not go through a lot of clay. I used to make sure I would pug at
least once every 7-10 days so that the clay did not dry out, but have found
that living in Florida now, the clay takes a LONG time to dry out! I cover
the end with heavy plastic, put heavy plastic in the hopper and fill the air
opening with clay. I also put my clay scraps through it. I collect trimmings
in large covered containers and I either leave them open to let water
evaporate or add water and cover until clay is soft enough to go through the
pugmill. I always have a container or two to add with fresh clay when
pugging. It works perfectly for me. I've had to take it apart and clean it
twice when I have moved and on ocassion of putting it together with a
question Venco has been great.
Gina
Sally Guger on thu 11 may 06
I'm going to spend some time getting used to the New Wave pugmill from Axner in the next day or two. I've never used a typical pugmill, but I've put a lot of clay through an old Walker pug/clay mixer and also my Peter Pugger. I'm learning that the other pugmills out there are not the same animal at all. I have plenty of good things to say about "Peter" but cost is an issue for the small pottery business. The article from Gina makes sense in terms of pugging with the Vencos, Bluebirds, and the New Wave. I'll report back after giving some time and effort to the Axner machine.
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