Was our pugmill a good idea?

So we got a pugmill.

For over eight months, we were on the hunt for a used pugmill for our studio. With our students going through 500 to 1,000 pounds of clay each month, the pile of recycled clay was turning into a real headache. Over time, the clay was losing its plasticity, and wedging it all by hand just wasn’t cutting it anymore. A pugmill seemed like the perfect solution—a machine to reclaim clay, make it workable again, and save us from wearing out our arms.

Finding a good used one however, was not easy.

Why We Needed a Pugmill

If you’ve never used one, pugmills are basically magic for potters. They take scraps of clay—too dry, too wet, whatever—and mix it into smooth, consistent clay. A de-airing pugmill is even better because it removes air bubbles, so the clay’s ready to go straight to the wheel or slab roller. With the amount of clay we go through, having a pugmill wasn’t just about convenience; it was about keeping our process sustainable and saving time.

The downside? New pugmills are expensive—like, really expensive. So, buying used felt like the way to go. Turns out, that’s easier said than done.

The Search: A Test of Patience

We dove into the search with high hopes, checking pottery forums, classified ads, and auction sites every day. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist became part of our daily routine. Occasionally, we’d find a listing that looked promising, but either it was already sold or it was hundreds of miles away.

We also leaned on our network of potter friends, studio owners, and suppliers. We told everyone we knew that we were looking for a pugmill. A few leads popped up here and there, but most didn’t pan out. We quickly realized why used pugmills are so hard to find—once a studio gets one, they rarely let it go.

Challenges Along the Way

It wasn’t just about finding one; it was also about finding the right one. Some pugmills we saw were in rough shape—motors that didn’t work, missing parts, or just years of wear and tear from heavy use. Repairing one could end up costing as much as buying new, so we had to be picky.

Timing was another challenge. The good deals were snapped up almost immediately. We had to stay on top of listings and be ready to move fast.

Don’t forget about the scams.. We found this to be true for buying used pottery wheels as well. We find that asking questions that the seller would need to have personal knowledge of helps. We also ask for additional photos of parts not shown. For example the plug. In our case this was perfect for us as it was a 240v machine and we needed to verify the plug type. If the seller asks for a deposit move on.

The Big Find

Finally, after months of searching, we hit the jackpot. A lightly used pugmill showed up on a regional pottery group’s classifieds page. It belonged to a small studio that was downsizing, and best of all, it was close enough to drive to—no expensive shipping required.

When we went to check it out, it was in great shape. The motor ran smoothly, the barrel was clean, and the auger had barely any wear. After a quick negotiation, we loaded it up and brought it home. It felt like we’d struck gold.

Life with the Pugmill

Since adding the pugmill to our studio, everything’s changed for the better. Recycling clay is quick and easy now, and we’ve cut down on waste. The clay it produces is smooth, consistent, and ready to use. (we age ours for weeks before use)

But was it worth it? Short answer, yes*.

* We like our pugmill, we do… even used it was really expensive. It takes up quite a bit of space. It is pretty loud. There is still prep work to be done to prepare the clay. (drying, slaking, rehydrating to consistency) But we can process a few hundred pounds of clay in about an hour. We run it through the machine until we are happy with the consistency (firmness/wetness). We bag the processed clay and let it marinate in its own juices until we need it.