Clay texture after pugging

[ZoeScan]

Hi Everyone, I am looking for some answers regarding pugging clay with a Peter pugger. Often when the clay comes out it has a bark like texture, does anyone know what this means? Too wet? Too dry?

[oldlady]

no, you have some  dry clay stuck on the walls inside the tube.   that creates a ragged lump that forces the damp clay to shape itself around the lump.   if you keep pugging,  and use a little water as you insert the clay, it will start to look like a normal straight pug.  normally,  twice is nice for making the clay exactly the way you want it but when you have this situation, you are gathering tiny hard bits of that dry clay in the middle of the pug. 

keep on and keep calm, it will eventually work its way out.  you might cut the chunks through and feel for small hard lumps now instead of finding them in your thrown walls.  there are no rules saying the first pug of the clay is enough.  it is your very strong  machine, make it do what you want.

Edited June 29, 2022 by oldlady