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pugmil problem (and keeping the pump outside?)

updated mon 31 mar 97

 

Hertz Pottery on thu 27 mar 97

Steve if your getting the vaccum in the chamber the buildup ddoesent really
matter. the air valve should remain closed all the time except when you want
to clear the clay out of the slot by quickly opening and closeing it. is
your guage showing about 95-100 if so your getting effecient deairing.
some time ago I neglected to open the mill and clean out the screen,I just
did this yesterday, and the clip that holds the screen inplace had poped out
and scraped allong the barrel chipping pices of aluminum along the way. so
now I clean it out about 4 times a year, especially now that I use "standerd
306" it has a lot of stuff in it like chuncks of lime.
the screen was quite full and im sure itll work better when I get it back
together. its not together now because i didnt have the right electrical
tape to re make the gaskets for the barrel. the manuel says to use 2 layers
of elec. tape but that doesent work very well, so im going out to get
sometape thats ment for under ground applications (ive also seen it used for
making juggleing sticks)
its thick about 1/16" or less and sticky on both sides. it works great. i
tried to use regular elec. tape but i couldnt tighten the bolts enough to
get the leaks of air to stop. but this stuff will solve the problem.
back to your problem if your getting 95-100 on the guage then your getting
deairing. if your not getting 95-100 check all your connections of the
vaccume hose.
by the way after 6 years of using my pugmill and dealing with the noise from
the pump I drilled a hole in the cinderblock wall and put the vaccum pump
outside covered but able to get air. its never been so quiet in my studio...
I wonder though if anyone keeps theirs outside in sub freezing weather and
if it is harmful to the pump... good luck

Erik

>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I am having a problem with a nearly new Venco 31/2 " Mill. The slot from
>the de-airing chamber to the mill rapidly fills with clay thereby
>stopping the de-airing action. The clay is not real soft and per
>instructions from my machine supplier I have tried opening the air valve
>but I am still getting air in the clay. Any advice out there before I
>tear into this thing and call Australia?
>I am able to get 24 to 30 inch pug before the slot is full and that just
>doesn't seem right. Thanks for any insight.
>
>Steve Andrews
>Sturgeon River Pottery
>Petoskey Michigan
>616-347-0590
>
>
erik hertz