CodyNorris Posted July 7, 2023 Report Share Posted July 7, 2023 I know many of you use pug mills, and I recently bought one for myself to assist relieve the pain on my wrists and forearms caused by wedging clay. I'm already reaping the benefits of chucking my hand-built trash and slop into it right away, rather than worrying about big heaps of clay that need to be retrieved. Now I'm trying to find out how to form a 4-5 pound or larger pug mill log into the wheel throwing mound. If at all possible, I don't want to wedge it. I'm attempting to round the bottom and coning down from the top, but there appears to be an easier approach. Suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted July 7, 2023 Report Share Posted July 7, 2023 When working with pugged clay, I used to wedge before hand. . . way I was taught. However, with deairing pugmills much of that is not needed. I think that wedging on the wheel with the coning up and down would help, and to start I would use a slap method with one hand or the other putting the pug down perpendicular to the wheel head, with the rounded sides to slap into a cone shape. Hope that makes sense. . . .then do your coning up and down a few times. best, Pres Kelly in AK 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly in AK Posted July 7, 2023 Report Share Posted July 7, 2023 It does depend on whether it’s a deairing pug mill or not. If it is, then you shouldn’t have to wedge it if the clay is properly mixed. If it’s a pugger-mixer that shouldn’t be a problem, but if only a pug mill you might have to run it through a couple times. Now, if it’s not a deairing machine, then you might consider stack and slam wire wedging. Attaching a wire to my work table was such a good move, saves a lot of effort. https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/daily/article/Stack-and-Slam-Wire-Wedging-An-Efficient-and-Easy-on-the-Wrists-Way-to-Wedge-Pottery-Clay Pres 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted July 7, 2023 Report Share Posted July 7, 2023 As @Kelly in AKsays, I used and older Walker pug mill, and it did not deair. It was a beast and took up space, but it is still running today in the same studio. . . . out lasted me! best, Pres Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atanzey2 Posted July 9, 2023 Report Share Posted July 9, 2023 I have a de-airing pug mill, and like Pres, I recommend putting the clay in the wheel 'perpendicular' to the direction it comes out of the mill. For large pieces, I slam (for lack of a better description , kind of gently, though!) the ends on the wedging table until they get fat, and then slap or slam them into shape. I've done 8 lbs or more that way. My wrists can't take wedging either, so I've never gotten any good at it. Kelly in AK 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.