Pugging the clay using the pug mill rather than kneading or wedging before throwing

Just a quick demo of the pugmill in action.
I usually pug around 100 lbs at a time which will last about 1-3 days depending on what size of pots I'm throwing,but when I'm on the terracotta I do about 200-300 lbs every other day.
I cant imagine wedging or kneading by hand this much clay as it'd wear you out and If you have hard clay out of the bag then you're stuck with hard clay.
The thing with a pug mill is that you can throw all your old scrap clay,slops from the wheel and add water to make the clay as soft as you like which you can't do by hand wedging or kneading.
You never waste a scrap of clay.As you can see we have 2 pugmills ,1 for terracotta ond 1 for the stoneware clay.Basically it takes all the air bubbles out and makes all the clay the same consistency and as the clay comes out of the bottom in a sausage you just cut the clay to length in homemade ball cutting devices you never have to weigh the clay balls either.
You can get smaller horizontal pugmills, and I would urge anyone to get one if they can for a reasonable price as you'll never be reliant upon what the hardness of the clay is in the bag as you can make it as soft as you like.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• pugmill
• pugging
• pug
• mill
• kneading
• wedging
• clay
• preparing
• pottery
• pots
• throwing
• making

[diann51earthtoart]

I have a pug mill/mixer de-airing machine that I use to recycle, Doesn't de-air well, and doesn't mix all that well. What am I doing incorrectly?

[youdanxxx]

I don't know really.

I put my clay through about 4 times so it gets a really good mix.

Try doing that,it may help.

Cheers,Dan.

[SuperTajou]

Danny hello good work I want to ask about this little machine where the address is made​possible and how much the price

[MrPompidu]

by any chance, could you put up some videos of your glazing techniques?

[pensandcalls]

Wow, I envy you but using that much clay sure justifies the investment! Just respect that 'arm eating machine'!!!!!!! We don't want to watch a one armed potter at work!

[clearvision5]

I was JUST looking up pug mills this morning :) !!!! Not that I was going to get one mind you ( I don't do enough pottery to warrant getting one), but it sure would be nice to not have to wedge!

[shelsel0115]

What a neat pug mill. We have one at the art league where I throw but it is a small table top model. Little bit more labor intensive than yours. Sweet.

[autacy]

you are a complete potter ... its equipment are very good, and sad in Brazil did not here this pug mil.

very good your videos,

Roberto

[quickhalfpint]

Nice to see this side of your process Dan. Wish I had a pug mill- ahh some day maybe. Talked your mom into the demo of the pigs yet?

[judyyama]

I think its less complicated than the ones we have here . .Thank you for your posts to encourage us.