vacuum recycled clay to remove air pockets

[philmid]

I have been recycling my clay and general have about 20 lbs each time I do it.  I heave wedged it until the cows come home but it seams like there is almost always a air bubble that ruins my project. Has anyone tried using a vacuum bowl after wedging to remove the air bubbles.  I know some pug mulls use a vacuum system.

Thanks

[neilestrick]

I don't think you can just put a block of clay into a container and suck the air out of it. The clay is likely much too dense for that. When clay goes through a pugmill vacuum chamber it's being moved around and cut up via the auger, or in the case of larger industrial 2 stage puggers, it's cut into small bits as it enters the vacuum chamber, then moved out via an auger.

[Denice]

Slam wedging before you hand wedge and sometimes if your hand is twisting the wrong way you wedge bubbles back into it.   I use my recycled clay for handbuilding or mold making,  I don't  hand wedge any more.   I slam wedge clay from a fresh bag,  I go a step further and put the bag of clay in a 5 gal bucket of water a day or two before.   The clay comes out smooth and even consistency  and soft enough for old tired wrist, fingers and hand to throw.  If is is to soft I will pull the plastic down and let it air dry for awhile.   Denice  

[Mark C.]

All good pug mills use vacuum systems but it works as the clay is being beat up with a screw during that process exposing the air under vacuum. The bowl I do not think will have any effect. Wedging will remove them if done right

Edited May 7 by Mark C.