docweathers Posted December 25, 2015 Report Share Posted December 25, 2015 When I am pugging. it is a tricky balance to add enough water to the hopper to soften the clay to the right consistency vs having the water act as a lubricant, which causes the clay to stick to the auger and spin in the barrel vs moving forward.. I was thinking about adding some small blades, between the auger blades, to act as a stator to oppose the spinning of the clay. It would something like stators found in the torque converter of an automatic transmission. Do any pugmills do such a thing? Is there any reason it would not work? Is there a better way of keeping the clay from spinning with the auger? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alabama Posted December 25, 2015 Report Share Posted December 25, 2015 Hey, I have a Bluebird 440 and it spins if too much water is added at one time. At one time I would take a slice of clay, dip in à cup of water then drop in the hopper. Now I think its faster to take 1/2 a bag and thin slice it one way while adding water in between each one, then flipping it on another side and repeating. THEN, running thru the mill. If you know ahead of time, add water to the bag and allow it to soak in. Either way will keep the clay moving thru your mill. See ya, Alabama Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted December 25, 2015 Report Share Posted December 25, 2015 Larry in a Peter plugger the spin direction is backwards to mix and forward to pug You add water at end away from the exit tube end on far side of clay entry hopper. This works well as you only add small amounts so it cannot spin wet Not sure on a bluebird but if I recall its pugging or not ( no mix ?) wet your clay before putting it in like Alabama suggests I do not think a stator will help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted December 25, 2015 Report Share Posted December 25, 2015 my bailey works well if i dip each of the harder pieces into water before dropping them into the hopper. i usually mix very soft, moderately soft and harder clay. and i usually run it through twice. this is because i only pug a few times a year. will be doing a few buckets once i get home in the spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted December 25, 2015 Report Share Posted December 25, 2015 Does bluebird have a mix function? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docweathers Posted December 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 25, 2015 This is a VERY old bluebird that has no mix function. It is one that has a continuous diameter steel barrel rather than like the new ones that have the cast aluminum tapered barrel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted December 25, 2015 Report Share Posted December 25, 2015 That puppy is just for pugging then so just wet clay 1st then pug and rewet and pug again until you are happy with moisture . You would not believe what peter lugger could do compared to that old bluebird-I know its 1/10th the price just saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docweathers Posted December 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2015 A Peter Pugger makes sense for a professional potter like you, But, as a hobbyist potter. I can't justify big bucks for a pugmill that I only use occasionally. Besides, I pride myself on being able to get things done cheap, It does the job, just a little tricky to operate. I can refine my technique with some of the suggestions that have been offered here. Thanks all for the many useful ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted December 26, 2015 Report Share Posted December 26, 2015 Larry any chance you can reverse the motor polarity and spin it backwards as a mixer then flip a switch and pug it? Some motors allow for this retire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docweathers Posted December 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2015 That is a good idea. I will look into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Longer Member Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Got pics of it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docweathers Posted January 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 I decided not to the stator and it has been too cold to mess with the wiring. .... so no pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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