tb001 Posted October 26, 2015 Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 I've come across a used bluebird 800 at a decent price, but wanted to get a few opinions. Is a stainless barrel in a pugmill a requirement for using porcelain? I don't even see a stainless option on their website? Also, it's far more pugmill than I need right now--I had been looking at/drooling over the new small PP model, but it's a long way off before I could afford a new one. I really, really don't need something that processes this much clay, but I figure I can always resell at a later date... Are there downsides (other than sheer size) to buying a larger pugmill? Am I going to have a ton of clay stuck in the chamber? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 if you do not want it, why not share the info so someone else can get it? we have a member in washington state who can use a pugmill. give her a chance at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tb001 Posted October 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 if you do not want it, why not share the info so someone else can get it? we have a member in washington state who can use a pugmill. give her a chance at it. Happy to do that! It's in CA. But am still trying to decide if I *might* want it. Have never used a pugmill before and don't see them come up for sale used very often. Not sure if buying more pugmill than you need isn't a big deal or if it's the sort of thing you really want to size correctly... My guess is it's the latter, but figured this would be a good place to get more educated answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 https://www.baileypottery.com/pugmills-mixers/pugmills.htm Bailey has some good info on the Bluebirds. The 800 is suggested for those using 4 to 6 tons of clay per year. Sounds like a beast. But, if you are not using that volume, it will be underused. If you have to wait and wait to get enough clay to run through the pugger (and buy fresh clay until you accumulate enough scrap for recycling), then it doesn't make sense to buy bigger than you actually need. They seem to last forever, which may be why you don't see them coming up for sale very often. And, it will depreciate in value as it gets older -- especially if underused; so buying to sell in the future seems iffy. Stainless is nice for porcelain, but not required. There are issues with porcelain pitting the insides of puggers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marko Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 I don't know about Bluebird, but the Peter Pugger do have Stainless. And I wish I would have had the extra money. I didn't know much. But I do love my Peter Pugger. Best wishes in getting what you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 Porcelain will pit the aluminum barrel over time on a pug mill. Stainless will not be effected by porcelain. I have a VPM 30 aluminum barrel peter pugger-this holds 85#s of clay meaning I can pug about 60#s at a time-the differance is always in the machine -about 25 #s. Peter Pugger makes stainless up to the VPM 20 size which is a bit smaller.I like to run at least 50#s (two boxes) at a time as this is not much clay for me. I do not care about pitting as i bought mine used and when its toast I'm most likely be toast myself or I could buy another barrel whichever comes 1st. Peter pugger can also sand blast it smooth again as I live about 3 hours from plant. That bluebird sounds like its way to big for most small users. I tend to use up 8-10 tons a year at this point in time.(I have 10 tons coming in this week) I have a full time pottter friend who bought the smallest peter pugger and since it only runs 25# it way to small for him. I would say the size needs to fit your use. If having 25-40 #s of clay always in machine that you cannot use spins you out its to big for you. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clay lover Posted October 31, 2015 Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 I have the small PP, LOVE it. It needs to be full to work, otherwise it just spins, doesn't mix. I would not want any bigger. What you get needs to fit your usage. I never empty or clean it, I got the stainless. $$$$ but worth every penny.r Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.