Extruder - Worth The Money?

[nancylee]

Morning,

I was just at my local clay store, and was talking about handles. Another potter told me how he makes his with his extruder. He also makes butter dishes and the sides of mugs.

 

Is an extruder worth the $400 or so? It would be a big purchase for me right now. What can you make with it besides handles? Can you really make butter dishes? I'm not wrapping my brain around how you make a mug!

Thanks,

Nancy

[Marcia Selsor]

Look at some Michael Sherrill pieces with the layered colored slip. He does amazing things with an extruder.

http://kiefferceramics.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/michael_sherrill.jpg

 

The extruder is only worth it if you use it. I use mine when doing architectural pieces. It is a tool to use as your ideas dictate.

I make my handles using the Byron Temple method. Pull a long handle, cut into equal size strips , attach each to a mug and pull again.

 

Marcia

[Marcia Selsor]

There are some people doing very cool things with extruder

David Hendley

http://ceramicartsdaily.org/ceramic-studio-equipment/clay-extruders/twisted-how-to-make-funky-ceramic-lotion-dispensers-with-a-clay-extruder/

 

Have you looked at the topic, Extruders, in Ceramic Arts Daily?

http://ceramicartsdaily.org/category/ceramic-studio-equipment/clay-extruders/

 

Marcia

[bciskepottery]

I use my extruder for one of my mainstay items . . . small pillow-shaped ikebana vases.  These vases alone have paid for the extruder.

 

 

[mregecko]

There is a machinist who sells extruders on eBay for considerably less than most commercial extruders.

 

That's where I bought mine. I have been very happy with it so far, although I don't use it super often or for very complex jobs. It does the jobs I need it to and at the perfect price.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291032392466

[nancylee]

Wow!!! Thank you!! I will check out the shipping,

Nancy

[Guest JBaymore]

To help with cleaning...... put a plastic bag inside the barrel of the extruider, and fold the edges down at the top over the outside. Cut the bottom of the bag open and wrap that under the die holder to secure it. Wetting the inside of the extruder body tube helps this adhere until there is clay packed in there. Put on the bottom die. Put in the clay. Extrude away. When you are ready to change clays or stop, pop off the die, fold the top plastic back inside the tube, and you should be able to get the clay out the bottom with a very clean extruder main body tube.

 

Once you know the size of the extruder, you can cut "blanks" that fit nicely into the extruder tube by making a wire cutting die. They should be slightly smaller than the size of the ID of the extruder tube. Then pack the precut slugs into the plastic bags before inserting the whole thing into the extruder. Sort of like a K-Cup for making coffee.

 

best,

 

.......................john

[Mart]

There is a machinist who sells extruders on eBay for considerably less than most commercial extruders.

 

That's where I bought mine. I have been very happy with it so far, although I don't use it super often or for very complex jobs. It does the jobs I need it to and at the perfect price.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291032392466

 

Awesome link.  I have to talk to this guy and get us one, unless overseas shipping, VAT (20%) and other fines imposed by government kill this deal. 

This is really good price.

 

I like to make 90 mm tubes but extruder's I have see, are usually limited to 80 mm. I guess this one has the same "problem".

80mm is a bit narrow for tea/coffee mugs. Or what do you think?

[Denice]

NancyLee There are instructions somewhere in the Ceramics Monthly archives for building a bumper jack extruder, I built one and have been using is every since.  It was suppose to temporary, just to try it and see if I would really use it enough to justify the cost of a new one.  I  liked it so much I modified some of the components to make it more sturdy that was 15 years ago.  I was having problems with it a couple of weeks ago, my husband who can fix anything looked at it and fixed it but told me I was wearing out the bumper jack and needed to start looking for a new one.  It was easy to build I did it by myself in a afternoon, my husband brags to his friends about it.  Denice

[bciskepottery]

Mart,

 

I've found the thickness of the extruder cylinder to be a bit too thick, so I slip them over a roller pin and roll them to a thinner wall . . . that might help you get from 80mm to closer to 90mm and it makes the form look less stiff and mechanical.

 

The extruder maker in the ebay link also makes custom size dies.  He is from Canada, so the VAT and other costs for you might not be as much.

[PeterH]

A few hits from the net, quality unknown. Regards, Peter

 

Make your own gas pipe extruder

http://www.studiopotter.org/articles/?art=art0013

 

Murry Gans’ Do-It-Yourself PVC Extruder

http://ceramicartsdaily.org/ceramic-studio-equipment/clay-extruders/diy-clay-tools-video-contest-finalist-2/

Details

 

Hand-held clay extruder

http://ceramicartsdaily.org/ceramic-studio-equipment/clay-extruders/video-tip-of-the-week-make-your-own-hand-held-clay-extruder/

 

Ceramic arts clay extruder entries

http://ceramicartsdaily.org/category/ceramic-studio-equipment/clay-extruders/

... I found the one on woven ceramic baskets a pleasant surprise

http://ceramicartsdaily.org/ceramic-studio-equipment/clay-extruders/using-a-clay-extruder-to-create-woven-ceramic-baskets/

 

[Kohaku]

There is a machinist who sells extruders on eBay for considerably less than most commercial extruders.

 

That's where I bought mine. I have been very happy with it so far, although I don't use it super often or for very complex jobs. It does the jobs I need it to and at the perfect price.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291032392466

 

Oh Canada!!

 

<Updates Christmas list>

[clay lover]

I use my struder often, but I'm in business. I don't think I would have gotten the bigger one for hobby work. I have the Scott Creek 5" square, aluminum. It is simple to clean, let it dry and knock the sides of it with a wooden block, everything falls out the bottom. Their 4" round is a good buy, also.

I also use their hand held gun for short runs , and handles. GOOD item to own.

[docweathers]

Don't forget craigslist. I got an almost new four-inch NorthStar extruder for $100 off of craigslist

[Mark C.]

(The extruder is only worth it if you use it.) For hobby use I think its not a tool for most folks unless you are going to use your extrusions.I really use my two extruders.

I have two of them and they both get used almost daily as they each have different handle dies in them. I have worn one out from extreme use as well.My steel scott creek needs a new 4 inch plunger as this second one is now worn to small and there is to much blow by. 

Mark

[nancylee]

Hi,

Thanks for the links and advice. I think I might start with one of the hand-held ones, just to give it a try. I do sell on etsy, but am making a living from pottery. I do love to keep learning, and your knowledge is priceless!

Thanks,

Nancy

[neilestrick]

I hate to be negative, but personally I can't stand the look of extruded mug handles. Learn to to do a nice pulled handle. Extruders do have other uses, of course, but if you're just looking to make handles, I'd save your money.

[Mart]

Mart,

 

I've found the thickness of the extruder cylinder to be a bit too thick, so I slip them over a roller pin and roll them to a thinner wall . . . that might help you get from 80mm to closer to 90mm and it makes the form look less stiff and mechanical.

 

The extruder maker in the ebay link also makes custom size dies.  He is from Canada, so the VAT and other costs for you might not be as much.

Even with an eye watering C$143 for S&H and additional C$64C grabbed for nothing by the greediest of them all, Tax Man, it still looks like a good deal. I bet there is another absurd tax on top of all that, I am just not aware of at the moment.

I better check with the customs or it ain't going to be pretty...

Most importantly, it's NOT made in China (I hope) and that counts for something