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slab rollers

updated sun 30 jan 11

 

Paula Rubin on mon 2 sep 96

Hi Everyone!

I'm looking to purchase a new slab roller. I'm wondering if anyone has
any experience with Brent or Bailey slab rollers. Can you give me any
advice on the differences between the two brands and which one would be
better? I would like the roller to be either 30" or 36".

TIA

Paula in Miami

Sally Prange on tue 3 sep 96

In a message dated 96-09-02 20:00:39 EDT, you write:

>
>

suggest you look into the northstar slab roller, with or without table. the
brent I have is the minimal one with one roller. slabs warp when rolled
only one way. i put slabs through twice (porcelain), revertsing the slab and
revolving it. try a slab roller with two rollers for more even squeeze.

vpitelka@Dekalb.Net on tue 3 sep 96

>I'm looking to purchase a new slab roller. I'm wondering if anyone has
>any experience with Brent or Bailey slab rollers.
>Paula in Miami

Paula -
I know that there are many out there who love their Baileys and North Stars,
but personally, I love the Brent - no nonsense, minimum of parts, little to
go wrong. It is true that you have to keep track of the shims (the
removeable sheets of masonite which determine the thickness of slab). I
have often wondered why Brent doesn't just make a very minor modification,
creating a "shelf" underneath to adequately accommodate the shims not being
used. Otherwise they end up leaned against the wall or taking up table
space. And if they are leaned up against the wall, and somebody
accidentally knocks one over, man, does it ever raise a cloud of dust!! I
STILL prefer the Brent slab roller over all the others.

- Vince

Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@Dekalb.Net
Phone - home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801
Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville TN 37166

Dan Taylor on tue 3 sep 96

Paula Rubin asked about slab rollers...

I've used a Brent for about 10 years now with no complaints. Seems to do
the job although I have not had experience with any other brand so can't
compare. I have hear some goos reports on the Northstar. Maybe others can
comment on this.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
Dan Taylor dataylor@mlc.awinc.com
Taylor Clayworks Ph: (403)527-1002
1340 - 10th Ave. NE Fax: (403)527-1032
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 6G3 "Live your dreams"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----

Marcia Selsor on tue 3 sep 96

Dear Paula,
I use a Brent SR36 (36") at MSU-B, have used a Northstar prior to that,
and have a Bailey and a custom made slab roller in my own studio.
Unknown to Vince, Brent has made the little modification of a shelf under
the table for storing the shims. My biggest complaint about the Brent
is the cable adjustments which get uneven and the roller goes off track.
This I suspect is due to student abuse.
The Northstar was ok for very light use. It had plastic gears which
broke more than once. They did replace them at no cost, but still. . .
My Bailey at home is old and uses shims as well. I built the table for it
and included a grooved ridge on the slide to store the shims. Never had
any problems with it.
The custom made one was designed and built by a German mechanic. His
first went to a friend, I bought the second. It is weird, but no
problems. The roller cranks up and down, "bicycle chain" driven
roller of solid steel.
Marcia Selsor
Montana State University-Billings,
mjbmls@imt.net
http://www.imt.net/~mjbmls

MarilynMFA@aol.com on tue 3 sep 96

Vince -
I was overjoyed to hear that you used a Brent slab roller and liked it!
Since you are familiar with it, perhaps you could let me (perhaps others)
know the absolute, correct way to repair the underlying cable. Our "Brent"
seems to be continually in need of a cable repair since many students,
although they are given the correct information on the usage of the roller,
seem to desire to insert unwedged clay or clay that is nearly leather hard
into the roller and let the roller do the correcting! Consequently, our
Brent roller is nearly always in need of repair! One day it works fine. Life
is beautiful and rolls along like a song! The next day it is no longer
usable. This makes the Brent, the roller I am currently stuck with, an
extremely frustrating machine. A number of us have put forth the theory that
perhaps we are repairing it incorrectly and THAT is the reason for the
continual breakage - not the design of the roller, itself, or the way it is
used. So, help, help! Might you know what we are doing wrong when we redo
the cable mechanism?
TIA,
Marilyn, in Utah

Don Sanami on tue 3 sep 96

Paula, We have a 30" NORTHSTAR and find it excellent. It has both a top
and a bottom roller. Both rollers are "Checked".(Similar to checking on
gun grips.) Each check is Delta shaped and,we believe this aids greatly
in relieving stress on the slab and preventing warping...especdially on
thin tile material. We have used only our own clay body. As any bodyneeds
to be,our body is nearly 2 years old and pit soaked before using,either
for throing or slab construction. Hope this note will be useful to you.
Isao & Don Morrill.On Mon, 2 Sep 1996, Paula Rubin wrote:

> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi Everyone!
>
> I'm looking to purchase a new slab roller. I'm wondering if anyone has
> any experience with Brent or Bailey slab rollers. Can you give me any
> advice on the differences between the two brands and which one would be
> better? I would like the roller to be either 30" or 36".
>
> TIA
>
> Paula in Miami
>

vpitelka@Dekalb.Net on wed 4 sep 96

Marcia and others -
I am glad to hear that the new Brent slab rollers have that shelf to store
the shims. And Marcia, I have been using a number of different Brents for
the last ten years, with very heavy student use, and they have never needed
ANY cable adjustment. But it would take just one occurence of severe abuse
to need an adjustment. I guess I have been lucky. I have also used the
newer Baileys in university studios, and have had nothing but trouble with them.

- Vince

Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@Dekalb.Net
Phone - home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801
Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville TN 37166

vpitelka@Dekalb.Net on wed 4 sep 96

At 10:07 PM 9/3/96 -0400, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Vince -
>I was overjoyed to hear that you used a Brent slab roller and liked it!
> Since you are familiar with it, perhaps you could let me (perhaps others)
>know the absolute, correct way to repair the underlying cable.
>Marilyn, in Utah

Marilyn -
Perhaps you should be asking Marcia Selsor at MSU-B this question, as she
has apparently had more experience adjusting the Brent slab rollers than I
have. As I said in an earlier post, apparently I have been lucky with them.
We drill into our students (kindly and gently) proper slab-roller usage, and
they NEVER try to roll clay which is too stiff. They apparently do follow
the guidelines we give them, because we never have to adjust the cables. As
I understand it, the primary fault in adjusting the cables is if they are
adjusted unevenly, so that one side pulls harder than the other, and the
roller gets off track. It is imperative that they are adjusted absolutely
evenly. Beyond that I can't tell you much. Call Brent.

- Vince

Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@Dekalb.Net
Phone - home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801
Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville TN 37166

Levine Meg Jessica on wed 4 sep 96

I have a Northstar 30" slabroller. I have been quite happy with it as well
as with their customer service. I got the longer table, I think this is
called the "Super Slab Roller." For the work I make, I really appreciate
the 30" roller and the longer table. I got it from Bennetts and they gave
me a very low price ( including shipping if I remember correctly...) and
delivered it within a few days. This machine has two
wide rollers.

With a new e-mail address,
mlevine@dimensional.com

Meg Levine in Boulder, Colorado

Don Sanami on wed 4 sep 96

I forgot to mention,(Since it seened to have no bearing on the subect)
Northstar slab roller has no cables to wear break or bind...only the two
heavy rollers...no problems.ddon& ISao sanami/morrill

Levine Meg Jessica on thu 5 sep 96

When I was in graduate school there was a Brent
slabroller there that kept breaking. Specifically, the cables kept
getting messed up when some student would want to roll a thick piece of
clay through to a thin, thin, slab. Eventually the people who kept fixing
the cables got so sick of
fixing them constantly, that they were just going to get rid of it. I
volunteered (happily) to have it in my studio. It never broke for the
next two years when I was using it. With that Brent, and also with my
Northstar,that I use now, I don't put a very thick amount of clay into
the machine and try to roll a thin slab. Vince was right when he wrote
that this needs to be emphasized to the students. I must admit I don't
miss adding and subtracting boards when I want to change the thickness of
the slabs now that I use the Northstar. Meg
with a new e-mail address
mlevine@dimensional.com

SLPBM@cc.usu.edu on thu 5 sep 96


Alright-
I have heard a lot of praise for these Brents... and nothing but complaints
about the Bailey. When I worked for Mike Cohen in Amherst, he was still
using the Bailey prototype, 2 rollers, portable, homemade table etc. This
slab roller could blow the doors off the Brent we had at school, and
had little warpage to boot. Down side was that it had a tendency to break
this tiny little pin/awl in the mechanism that raised and lowered the roller
head. Then again I guess you have to give the slab roller some credit
considering it is getting mighty old.

Just figured I would send out a voice in support of the old Bailey slab roller.

Alex in Utah.

Charles Gareri on thu 5 sep 96

We have a Brent Sr-20 at school and have had nothing but trouble with it since d
adjust the cables according to the directions over and over again. We replaced
several times ( which is a messy lengthy job) but it would soon get out of align
become an expensive wedging table.

Charlie Gareri E-mail cgareri@netride.com
Pike High School/Art Dept./Indianapolis Indiana USA
(. .)
---------------------------ooO-(_)-Ooo-----

vpitelka@Dekalb.Net on sun 8 sep 96

A little more about the Brent slabrollers. I already gave my testimonial.
I love them. But after thinking about it I came up with several other
concerns in using the Brent. One is to NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER return the
roller by spinning the wheel very fast and allowing it to come up against
the stops with the wheel spinning. ONE TIME doing this can break the
cables, or at least stretch them so that the machine does not function for
#$%&. Another thing - if a Brent which is otherwise properly adjusted
produces slabs of uneven thickness (usually thick in the center) it is
because of the breakdown of the wooden planks beneath the shims. Between
the side members of the heavy frame there is a network of cross pieces
supporting several thicknesses of particle board beneath the shims. In our
Brent at U-Mass we replaced the cross pieces with a solid array of 2x4s from
one end to the other under the particle board planks. This helped a great deal.

It is interesting how our equipment likes and dislikes are often so extreme.
Either we absolutely LOVE a certain piece of equipment, or we have no use
for it whatsoever. Such is the nature of deep studio involvement, when the
payback from a high quality and well-cared-for piece of equipment is almost
immeasureable. My good friend and former student Alex Solla loved the
Bailey at Michael Cohen's studio in Amherst, and found the Brent at U-Mass
lacking. Knowing how Michael cares for his studio and equipment, anything
in his studio would be kept in perfect working order, and all studio helpers
would learn proper use of that equipment. I expect that under those
circumstances the Bailey performed very well. But from my point of view,
having seen slab rollers in the most trying university studio conditions,
the Brent is a superior machine.
- Vince

Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@Dekalb.Net
Phone - home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801
Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville TN 37166

Susan stern on fri 6 dec 96

Hello All,

I need to purchase a slab roller in the very near future and would like to
know if anyone and everyone with any comments on either the Bailey DRD II or
the Northstar Polaris (both 24") could tell me the pros and cons on each.
The Bailey is a lot more expensive (not even offering a Christmas discount)
but it seems like it might be sturdier than the Polaris. Bennet has the
Polaris for a good price and it's the perfect size but I know nothing about
their nylon gears nor how difficult it could be to actually get an even slab
with a dual knob system to set the thickness. And I can't find anyone in my
area who has used either one. They have a huge Brent roller at school
(always with broken cables) so I was looking into these two because they use
the double rollers and no cables.

Any thoughts? Please!?

Susan stern on sat 7 dec 96

Thanks Michelle,

I appreciate your two cents! But to be clear, the Northstar is also a two
roller system, not one, and there is a difference in the price of over $200.
I'm willing to pay more if it's a significantly better machine, I would just
like to know if it really is before I plunk down the cash for it. If, in
fact, they are pretty comparable, I'd rather not spend that much more for it.
It's taken me a while to save up for it as it is. Just trying to be frugal,
not cheap! :-)

Susan

Susan stern on sat 7 dec 96

Hello All,

I need to purchase a slab roller in the very near future and would like to
know if anyone and everyone with any comments on either the Bailey DRD II or
the Northstar Polaris (both 24") could tell me the pros and cons on each.
The Bailey is a lot more expensive (not even offering a Christmas discount)
but it seems like it might be sturdier than the Polaris. Bennet has the
Polaris for a good price and it's the perfect size but I know nothing about
their nylon gears nor how difficult it could be to actually get an even slab
with a dual knob system to set the thickness. And I can't find anyone in my
area who has used either one. They have a huge Brent roller at school
(always with broken cables) so I was looking into these two because they use
the double rollers and no cables.

Any thoughts? Please!?

Susan

Joyce Lee, Jim Lee on sat 7 dec 96

Hi Susie,

I am a novice potter with two years experience in class and home
studios.
I researched slab rollers on clayart this past year before buying one.
The Bailey was definitely #1 in my very informal and limited survey and
is the roller I purchased. I love it. Only had to roll one slab to get
onto any intricacies it might have. The North Star was next in the
survey with its followers very enamored of it. I probably would have
loved it, too. Jack Phillips in Oregon (on Clayart) uses mostly slabs
and presented me with an excellent critique plus followup advice
concerning the Bailey.

Good Luck.

Joyce
Cold and windy Mojave. Furnace is fixed.

Bob Howell on sat 7 dec 96

Susan,
I have a polaris at home in my studio and a Bailey DRD at the school where I
teach. Although I've had the Polaris for many years, and have rolled good
slabs with it, if I were buying one now I would go with the Bailey. It's
much more heavy duty, and setting the thickness for an even slab with the
single crank is a snap. Good luck.

Bob

At 04:57 AM 12/6/96 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Hello All,
>
>I need to purchase a slab roller in the very near future and would like to
>know if anyone and everyone with any comments on either the Bailey DRD II or
>the Northstar Polaris (both 24") could tell me the pros and cons on each.
> The Bailey is a lot more expensive (not even offering a Christmas discount)
>but it seems like it might be sturdier than the Polaris. Bennet has the
>Polaris for a good price and it's the perfect size but I know nothing about
>their nylon gears nor how difficult it could be to actually get an even slab
>with a dual knob system to set the thickness. And I can't find anyone in my
>area who has used either one. They have a huge Brent roller at school
>(always with broken cables) so I was looking into these two because they use
>the double rollers and no cables.
>
>Any thoughts? Please!?
>
Bob Howell
723 Terra Ave.
Alexandria, LA 71303
bobhowell@linknet.net

Scott Harrison on wed 17 sep 97

We are contemplating purchase of a small slab roller and would like any
input on Bailey versus Northstar versus whoever. Also, are there any
plans for building your own? Any help would be appreciated. Scott
Harrison sharrison@humboldt.k12.ca.us

Kris Baum on thu 18 sep 97

Hi Scott -

I have a Northstar slab roller and I am pleased with the way it works
- it adjusts easily and seems to make even slabs. However, I
recently thought of the (Bailey?) ad that cites "slab roller or slab
smoother" when I was having a studio "challenge" ...
The clay has to be pretty flat before it will go through the
Northstar - otherwise the excess clay builds up into a big lump that
distorts the canvas and messes the whole thing up. Maybe it should
be no more than twice as thick as you want the finished slab to be?
The Bailey proponents could address this issue for the Bailey slab
rollers ...
===============================================
Kris Baum, Shubunkin Pottery
mailto:shubunki@erols.com
===============================================

Unruly JuliE on thu 18 sep 97

Scott,

I have a Bailey Mini-might. I love it. I only wish I had ROOM for a
larger one, the ONLY thing I do not like about it! I have a friend who
bought a large northstar and wishes she bought a bailey. I have used it
and agree with her. A bailey would have been better. It has been
awhile since I used it, can't remember exactly what it was, but remember
it was more work nor as easy to adjust the thickness of the slab. The
Mini-might (-mite?) uses the shims that go through the rollers with the
clay (inside canvas) on top of it. I think the Northstar had no shims,
but the rollers were in the air enough that they were off the table a
good 1/4". A little inconvient if I remember correctly. Although the
larger Baileys do not use the shims, the adjustments are easily made by
turning a couple of screws (with handles and a ruler attached). I think
the newer ones are even eaiser to adjust (the Baileys, not sure about
the Northstar).

My 2cents worth.

JuliE

Unruly JuliE on fri 19 sep 97

The bailey's do not need to have the clay a certain thickness, cut off a
big chunk, throw it down in front of the rollers and go. EXCEPT the
mini-might, which will only accept clay through the rollers that is less
than 1.5" thick.

I have a mini-might and am quite happy with it, except I wish I had room
for a larger one!

JuliE

Sam Cuttell on sat 20 sep 97

>Date: Thu, 18 Sep 1997 14:45:35
>To: shubunki@erols.com
>From: Sam Cuttell
>Subject: Re: Slab rollers
>
>At 06:50 AM 9/18/97 EDT, you wrote:
>>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>>Hi Scott -
>>
>>I have a Northstar slab roller and I am pleased with the way it works
>>- it adjusts easily and seems to make even slabs. However, I
>>recently thought of the (Bailey?) ad that cites "slab roller or slab
>>smoother" when I was having a studio "challenge" ...
>>The clay has to be pretty flat before it will go through the
>>Northstar - otherwise the excess clay builds up into a big lump that
>>distorts the canvas and messes the whole thing up. Maybe it should
>>be no more than twice as thick as you want the finished slab to be?
>>The Bailey proponents could address this issue for the Bailey slab
>>rollers ...
>>===============================================
>>Kris Baum, Shubunkin Pottery
>>mailto:shubunki@erols.com
>>===============================================
>>
>>
>
>I bought a Bailey's after returning from NCECA. Being there gave
>me an incredible opportunity to pick the brains of hundreds of
>working potters. The answer was almost unanimous(sp?) - BAILEY.
>
>I'm very pleased. It has one knob height adjustment with ruler.
>You can put through any thickness *once* and get an even thickness
>(thinness!) out. There are no shims - just canvas. I've never
>used a slab roller before purchasing mine - and I'm thrilled with
>the investment.
>
>Mine is a 24" complete with table.
>
>Usual disclaimers apply.
>
>sam - alias the cat lady
>

David Hendley on sat 20 sep 97

"Getting Into Pots, A Basic Pottery Manual" by George and Nancy Wettlaufer
(Prentice-Hall)
has plans for building your own.
I'm sure it's long out of print.
The plans are reprinted in Ceramics Monthly, February 1977.
It requires no welding and "costs about $40" (1977 prices).


At 08:18 AM 9/17/97 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>We are contemplating purchase of a small slab roller and would like any
>input on Bailey versus Northstar versus whoever. Also, are there any
>plans for building your own? Any help would be appreciated. Scott
>Harrison sharrison@humboldt.k12.ca.us
>
>
David Hendley
Maydelle, Texas
See David Hendley's Pottery Page at
http://www.sosis.com/hendley/david/

bIlL BuCkNeR on sat 4 jul 98

I have been considering purchasing a North Star slab roller. Does anybody
have any experience (good or bad) they could share with me on that subject?
Thanks, -Bill Buckner

e-mail: billtom@mindspring.com
web: http://billtom.home.mindspring.com

Why do they put Braille on drive-through bank machines?

Bobbi Bassett on sun 5 jul 98

We have a North Star slab roller and love it. We've had it for 5 or 6 years.
We like the fact that you have infinite adjustments. I suggest you buy it
directly through North Star if you can. The man who owns the company is a
wealth of information and very willing to listen and give educated
suggestions. We also have a North Star extruder that we are VERY happy with.

Good luck

Bobbi in sunny PA
Happy 4th !!!

Gail Bakutis on sun 5 jul 98

I bought a Northstar slab roller because it was relatively portable and
the price was right about ten years ago for use by hundreds of adult
students at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. I was concerned that its
plastic gears wouldn't hold up to the abuse given my novices and eager
beavers putting far too heavy loads of clay through it.

Not to worry. It's been great. Not a single problem.

In my studio I have two Brent rollers which are really workhorses and
which I adore, if one can adore a slab roller. But they are very
expensive and not easy to move.

Mo and Les Beardsley on mon 6 jul 98

bIlL BuCkNeR wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I have been considering purchasing a North Star slab roller. Does anybody
> have any experience (good or bad) they could share with me on that subject?
> Thanks, -Bill Buckner
>
> e-mail: billtom@mindspring.com
> web: http://billtom.home.mindspring.com
>
> Why do they put Braille on drive-through bank machines?
Hi Bill

I have a North Star slab roller and it is excellent. I have used both
the wheel and the handle style and much prefer the wheel.

I am sure you will like it- if you have any specific questions please
feel free to email me.

Regards
Les Beardsley

Jo Smith on fri 1 oct 99

Hello fellow Clay Artists

My name is Joseph and I am looking for feedback on slab rollers.

The only one that is kept in stock in my area is the Northstar 24" slab
roller package.
I have seen ads for others such as the Baily. Each claiming to be the
best.

I would appreciate any comments or suggestions, (the good and bad) on
the different slab rollers available. Or if anyone knows where I can get
plans on making one or an easy way to make a lot of slabs of uniform
thickness. I am presently making/rolling slabs by hand but I have a
project in mind that will require a lot of slabbing (not tiles).


I am no longer on the list, (no time to go through the many e-mails) but
would appreciate any help directly. Please respond to my home e-mail
at winsmith@compusmart.ab.ca.

Thanks in advance and keep on potting.

Joseph

barbara skelton-or on mon 11 dec 00


Marion Ive had a Northstar slab roller for two years...Im a wannabe potter
and I love it. Have used a Bailey and its better-also far more money. It
depends on your production-----mine is a kiln load off and on and I really
don't need a fancy one.
Good luck.
Barb in Oregon
----- Original Message -----
From: "Butters, Marion"
To:
Sent: Monday, December 11, 2000 2:22 PM
Subject: slab rollers


> Hello "Clay-Arters":
> I am planning on buying a slab roller in Jan or Feb. I would like to know
> if any of you have the Northstar
> slab roller? I would like feedback on how it performs. I was looking at
the
> Brent models, but they seem to cost quite a bit more once you go up from
the
> "crank handle" model to their "wagon wheel" models.
> If you have a different slab roller than mentioned here, please provide
> feedback on any you may have had experience with, and your
recommendations.
>
> I would imagine that the freight cost is significant as well..... but
there
> is a place that provides free shipping of the Northstar.... worth it or
> not?? Opinions, comments, and advice most welcome. Please respond to my
> e-mail address below rather than to the entire clayart list as this
subject
> may have been discussed in the past and everyone may not be interested if
> this feedback is redundant. Thanks a lot!
>
> mbutters@qg.com
> (414) 566-2610 (office)
> (262) 246-5433 (fax)
>
>
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> This message has been scanned for viruses with Trend Micro's Interscan
VirusWall.
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>

Earl Brunner on mon 11 dec 00


There's a good section in the archives about slab rollers, there has
been quite a bit of discussion on them. I have a Northstar and like it
a lot. I have heard others favor the Bailey.

Check out:
http://www.potters.org/category012.htm


Butters, Marion wrote:

> Hello "Clay-Arters":
> I am planning on buying a slab roller in Jan or Feb. I would like to know
> if any of you have the Northstar
> slab roller? I would like feedback on how it performs. I was looking at the
> Brent models, but they seem to cost quite a bit more once you go up from the
> "crank handle" model to their "wagon wheel" models.
> If you have a different slab roller than mentioned here, please provide
> feedback on any you may have had experience with, and your recommendations.
>
> I would imagine that the freight cost is significant as well..... but there
> is a place that provides free shipping of the Northstar.... worth it or
> not?? Opinions, comments, and advice most welcome. Please respond to my
> e-mail address below rather than to the entire clayart list as this subject
> may have been discussed in the past and everyone may not be interested if
> this feedback is redundant. Thanks a lot!
>
> mbutters@qg.com
> (414) 566-2610 (office)
> (262) 246-5433 (fax)
>
>
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> This message has been scanned for viruses with Trend Micro's Interscan VirusWall.
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.


--
Earl Brunner
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec
mailto:bruec@anv.net

Butters, Marion on mon 11 dec 00


Hello "Clay-Arters":
I am planning on buying a slab roller in Jan or Feb. I would like to know
if any of you have the Northstar
slab roller? I would like feedback on how it performs. I was looking at the
Brent models, but they seem to cost quite a bit more once you go up from the
"crank handle" model to their "wagon wheel" models.
If you have a different slab roller than mentioned here, please provide
feedback on any you may have had experience with, and your recommendations.

I would imagine that the freight cost is significant as well..... but there
is a place that provides free shipping of the Northstar.... worth it or
not?? Opinions, comments, and advice most welcome. Please respond to my
e-mail address below rather than to the entire clayart list as this subject
may have been discussed in the past and everyone may not be interested if
this feedback is redundant. Thanks a lot!

mbutters@qg.com
(414) 566-2610 (office)
(262) 246-5433 (fax)



-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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L. P. Skeen on tue 12 dec 00


IMO, the North Star is the best slab roller. It has 2 rollers instead of
one, and can be fitted with a big 'wagon wheel' instead of the crank handle.
It is very easy to use, and easily adjustable. Go for it, you won't be
disappointed.
----- Original Message -----
From: Butters, Marion
To:
Sent: Monday, December 11, 2000 5:22 PM
Subject: slab rollers


> Hello "Clay-Arters":
> I am planning on buying a slab roller in Jan or Feb. I would like to know
> if any of you have the Northstar
> slab roller? I would like feedback on how it performs. I was looking at
the
> Brent models, but they seem to cost quite a bit more once you go up from
the
> "crank handle" model to their "wagon wheel" models.
> If you have a different slab roller than mentioned here, please provide
> feedback on any you may have had experience with, and your
recommendations.
>
> I would imagine that the freight cost is significant as well..... but
there
> is a place that provides free shipping of the Northstar.... worth it or
> not?? Opinions, comments, and advice most welcome. Please respond to my
> e-mail address below rather than to the entire clayart list as this
subject
> may have been discussed in the past and everyone may not be interested if
> this feedback is redundant. Thanks a lot!
>
> mbutters@qg.com
> (414) 566-2610 (office)
> (262) 246-5433 (fax)
>
>
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> This message has been scanned for viruses with Trend Micro's Interscan
VirusWall.
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>

WHew536674@CS.COM on tue 12 dec 00


I LOOOOOOOOVE my Northstar.
Joyce A

Eric Suchman on mon 30 sep 02


Where was the article regarding slab rollers? and when?

claybair on tue 1 oct 02


Eric,
Pottery Making Illustrated
Special Potters Guide
Issue 2001-2002

Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com

-----Original Message-----
From:Eric Suchman
Where was the article regarding slab rollers? and when?

Eric Suchman on tue 1 oct 02


thanks

> From: claybair
> Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
> Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2002 08:17:19 -0700
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Re: Slab rollers
>
> Eric,
> Pottery Making Illustrated
> Special Potters Guide
> Issue 2001-2002
>
> Gayle Bair
> Bainbridge Island, WA
> http://claybair.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:Eric Suchman
> Where was the article regarding slab rollers? and when?
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.

Larry Bosel on thu 19 dec 02


Hi
Does any one have plans for a slab roller.Would like to build if can.

Greg Lamont on fri 20 dec 02


Larry,
E-mail me privately and I'll send you links to some plans.
Greg

-----Original Message-----
From: Larry Bosel
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Date: Thursday, December 19, 2002 2:11 PM
Subject: slab rollers


>Hi
>Does any one have plans for a slab roller.Would like to build if can.
>
>___________________________________________________________________________
___
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>

Ababi on sat 21 dec 02


In my site supper simple not the best, perhaps can direct you to a better one:
http://members4.clubphoto.com/ababi306910/536313/
Ababi
---------- Original Message ----------

>Larry,
>E-mail me privately and I'll send you links to some plans.
>Greg

>-----Original Message-----
>From: Larry Bosel
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Date: Thursday, December 19, 2002 2:11 PM
>Subject: slab rollers


>>Hi
>>Does any one have plans for a slab roller.Would like to build if can.
>>
>>___________________________________________________________________________
>___
>>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>>
>>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>>
>>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
>>

>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org

>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/

>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.

Lois on wed 7 may 03


Does anyone have any opinions about the Axner Rolling
Thunder slab roller? Is it any good? How does it
compare to the Bailey or North Star product? Thanks
for any info.



__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.
http://search.yahoo.com

Les on tue 16 sep 03


Jerez -

North Star!

Les Crimp on that Island inn the Pacific.
lcrimp@shaw.ca

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jerez"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2003 4:12 PM
Subject: Slab rollers


> Looking to purchase a slab roller soon, and I would like to know what
> experience others have had with slab rollers before doing so. I am
> only familiar with brent and north star. I have a small studio, and,
> budget.
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.

Jerez on tue 16 sep 03


The price sounds good! Can you draw me a picture Hank? I like to
build things, but I am not a guy, and so maybe not as experienced as
some may be, although I designed a spray booth out of a cardboard
box!.

Jerez on tue 16 sep 03


Looking to purchase a slab roller soon, and I would like to know what
experience others have had with slab rollers before doing so. I am
only familiar with brent and north star. I have a small studio, and,
budget.

stacey ballard on tue 16 sep 03


I just bought a 30' slab roller from north star last weekend, I need the width, but not the heavy duty rollers, which would have raised the cost significantly. So I got the width I wanted , but instead of the professional rollers (they are more heavy duty) I just got the regular ones. I LOVE IT!
Good Luck,
Stacey Ballard
http://www.basicelemenets.biz



---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software

Hank Murrow on tue 16 sep 03


On Tuesday, September 16, 2003, at 04:12 PM, Jerez wrote:

> Looking to purchase a slab roller soon, and I would like to know what
> experience others have had with slab rollers before doing so. I am
> only familiar with brent and north star. I have a small studio, and,
> budget.

Dear Jerez;

I guess I could have bought one, but here is what I did instead:

went to the steel place and got a 40" x 8" diameter piece of steel=20
pipe, some 8"x8" scraps for end plates, and two pieces of 1" black pipe=20=

with caps, for handles. Pipes welded to end plates, end plates welded=20
to big pipe, fill it with water for weight and cap it......and Voil=E0! =
=20
I am rolling out 36" slabs on my table. When I am done, I empty the=20
water from the roller and put it away, it is light now, and it no=20
longer takes up valuable space....propped up in a corner. table goes=20
back to being my primary work surface. I use two sheets of 'filter=20
cloth' (a Dacron duck with a nubby side) with the clay in between. The=20=

4' x 10' table is covered with stretched canvas. total cost =3D $78.

You could do this too, or not, Hank in Eugene

Hank Murrow on wed 17 sep 03


On Tuesday, September 16, 2003, at 07:17 PM, Jerez wrote:

> The price sounds good! Can you draw me a picture Hank? I like to
> build things, but I am not a guy, and so maybe not as experienced as
> some may be, although I designed a spray booth out of a cardboard
> box!.
>
dear Jerez;

While i still think my roller is too big for you, if you send me a
snail addy, I will send a drawing.

Cheers, hank

Cheryl & Gene on wed 17 sep 03


I recently purchased the Axner Rolling Thunder slab roller, after much
questioning, and am very pleased with it. It's a very fine machine, and
Axner's service was excellent. The roller is 30 inches wide, but the table
is only a bit over 4 feet long, so fits well in my studio space, which is
also rather small. I don't do production work, so this machine is
more-than-adequate for my handbuilt pieces.

Cheryl Lee
Stony Clearing Studio
Bellingham, WA


_______________________________________________________
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org

You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/

Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.

Alycia Goeke on wed 17 sep 03


hi...
i also have a small sized studio. i got a bailey DRDll 24". i really like it.
the gears are made from steel-there is never a need for more than one pass.
it is a smaller version of the slab roller we used in the studio where i used
to work. i was impressed with it because it had been there for years and had
been used by tons of people and was still in good shape.

when i ordered mine, i also got the 24" table. it fits with the slab roller
so well. for a few more dollars, i also did the upgrade so i could have the
round handle instead of the spoked one that it came with. i think they are easier
to maneuver. i was able to assemble it myself and know that i will have it
for many years to come.

exciting times!
alycia

Barbara Smith on sun 9 nov 03


I've been a part-time potter for many years, and am finally considering
purchasing a slab roller. I've made a lot of ornaments using a rolling
pin, but I want to get into doing some tile work, hence the desire for a
slab roller. I'm looking at both the Bailey DRD-II 24" and the North Star
Standard 24" model. I like the Bailey because it only requires one run-
through of the clay to produce the desired slab, and the roller is at one
end of the table rather than in the middle (more work space?). The North
Star's advantages are that it comes with a smaller table (I have limited
space in my studio) and the price is about $200 less. Does anyone have
any suggestions on which way I should go? Thanks.

Cindi Anderson on mon 10 nov 03


It doesn't do much good when people say they love their Bailey slab roller
and don't say which model. They have many models! In 24" there are 3
choices, the mini-might, the DRDII gear reduced, and the DRDII non-gear
reduced. If you had said 30", that would add the DRD and the DB models.
All very different! Let's try to be as specific as possible when we give
feedback on products!

Thanks
Cindi

----- Original Message -----

> I have a Bailey 24" wide slab roller and love it!

Eric Suchman on mon 10 nov 03


Take a look at the Axner Rolling thunder. I bought one and am quite
impressed with how well built and user friendly it is.
Eric in Oceanside


> From: Barbara Smith
> Reply-To: Clayart
> Date: Sun, 9 Nov 2003 16:56:41 -0500
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Slab rollers
>
> I've been a part-time potter for many years, and am finally considering
> purchasing a slab roller. I've made a lot of ornaments using a rolling
> pin, but I want to get into doing some tile work, hence the desire for a
> slab roller. I'm looking at both the Bailey DRD-II 24" and the North Star
> Standard 24" model. I like the Bailey because it only requires one run-
> through of the clay to produce the desired slab, and the roller is at one
> end of the table rather than in the middle (more work space?). The North
> Star's advantages are that it comes with a smaller table (I have limited
> space in my studio) and the price is about $200 less. Does anyone have
> any suggestions on which way I should go? Thanks.
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.

Susan Fox-Hirschmann on mon 10 nov 03


I have a Bailey 24" wide slab roller and love it! Have had it for about 15
years, I think and so far never had a problem tho it was a bit of a bear to
put together....as some of the screws were missing and the directions not too
clear. (I am sort of technically challenged and not very mechanical, so these
things may not be problems to the
more mechnaically adept out there.) As a result the roller is not totally
even . I recommend if you can get one adjuster that adjusts both sides of the
roller ....some of the issues that I have with slightly uneven slabs would be
prevented.
The Bailey tech support is terrific and always able to help you.
Good luck!
Sincerely
Susan
Annandale, VA
USZ

Laura Kneppel on tue 11 nov 03


Hi Cindi,
Has there been any other feedback on the Baileys? I must have missed
them. Anyway, I have had a Bailey Mini-Might for about 5 or 6 years and
for up to 24" slabs (although I don't usually do much larger than 18")
it works great. I am not a huge slab producer, so maybe another one
would work better for a high production slab artist. It uses Masonite
shims to control slab thickness. It's been trouble-free and I got just
the slab roller without the table. I had purchased (for like 20 bucks)
an old "computer table" from a company selling old office furniture.
The table has a super thick formica over particle board top and is very
sturdy. The Bailey came with good instructions for building the table
support and I was able to construct a very nice slab rolling system
that for a long time doubled as my wedging table (thanks to a sheet of
Hardibacker board and a couple C-clamps). Check office furniture
surplus stores in your area or with friends who may work for companies
that do employee surplus sales - great source for old office chairs. I
also have another old office table that is now my wedging table.
Sometimes school districts sell old or surplus stuff, too.

Laurie
Sacramento, CA
http://rockyraku.com

On Monday, November 10, 2003, at 11:24 PM, Cindi Anderson wrote:

> It doesn't do much good when people say they love their Bailey slab
> roller
> and don't say which model. They have many models! In 24" there are 3
> choices, the mini-might, the DRDII gear reduced, and the DRDII non-gear
> reduced. If you had said 30", that would add the DRD and the DB
> models.
> All very different! Let's try to be as specific as possible when we
> give
> feedback on products!
>
> Thanks
> Cindi
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
>> I have a Bailey 24" wide slab roller and love it!
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> _______
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>

Lili Krakowski on fri 17 aug 07


I own a North Star slab roller and love it. It is lightweight, easy to
move, which is something I need.
I bought it a few years back because my wrist and hand problems are such I
can't cope with rolling pins, and slamming the clay on the ground works in
Summer when I can do it outdoors (on a piece of plywood) but not in winter
(indoors)

Slab rollers have few parts. There is a roller which acts as the rolling
pin would. There is another something that propels or helps propel the clay
forward (and backward) . There is a device that raises and lowers the
roller or the "bed" so that the thickness of the slab can be adjusted. And
there is something that propels the whole thing.

I have a very big slab roller that was built for me by someone who knew how
to weld (Yes, I know Mel, but welding is one of the things I am scared of.
I let Mr K singe HIS moustache! But someone else built this roller.)

There are two rollers salvaged from some piece of farm equipment. One is
fixed onto the frame and turned by the "wheel" of an old corn grinder--but I
expect an old steering wheel from a truck or such would serve.

The interesting part of this slab roller is that it does not screw up and
down. Two small bottle jacks adjust the top roller (I would prefer if it
were on the bottom one, but never mind) so that by the jacks' pressure the
gap between the rollers is adjusted.

There as a book I do not seem to find, alas, in the old book market--a
couple called Westlauf or like that had a lovely book called "Getting
Started in Clay." They used the roller thingies that used to be used for
bringing stuff into the basement of groceries and the like....Lots of little
roller skate type rollers....Where one would find such a thing today? No
idea?

I expect that one could adapt the roller thing off skate boards, in line
skates and so on...

BUT HERE COMES THE CAVEAT! Good rollers are hard to find. You probably
could scrounge around for old printing presses or whatever, but good rollers
are hard to find. Although I generally rant against buying stuff one could
build, here I think buying is the sensible way to go, It is NOT that it is
a terrific task...it just is that the ingredients are hard to find, and one
needs
skills and tools and like that....









Lili Krakowski
Be of good courage

David Woof on wed 9 dec 09


I cut my slab rolling baby teeth on a Brent. It never bothered me to slip =
=3D
out or add in a sheet of hardboard to change thickness. For engineering s=
=3D
implicity the Brent stands at the head of the line=3D2C the Brent never die=
s.=3D
=3D20

=3D20

Never used a North Star. I figure when something is at the bottom of the =
=3D
competitive pricing something significant has been left out or compromised.=
=3D
When I came on board at YC they were replacing a North Star with a new B=
=3D
rent. I was told that the North Star had worn out it's plastic gears. Don=
=3D
't know=3D2C don't care=3D2C didn't look see=3D2C Complimented those making=
the B=3D
rent decision. =3D20

I have seen North Star rollers in Hobby studios gathering dust and as a pla=
=3D
ce to put crappy pots while the maker of crappy pots decides they're so cra=
=3D
ppy that waiting for them to look better tomorrow hasn't worked in the last=
=3D
forgotten while....

=3D20

Most of my life I have used a canvas wraped baseball bat to reduce a block =
=3D
of clay to a thickness my 24" X 4" steel well caseing rolling pin can finis=
=3D
h to my specified dimensions.

Sure gets the clay's attention. I do love access to the Brent though. Whi=
=3D
ch work is now more hand made???

=3D20

David Woof Clarkdale AZ =3D20
________________________________________________________________________
3a. Re: Slab rollers
Posted by: "Larry Kruzan" larry_kruzan@COMCAST.NET=3D20
Date: Wed Dec 9=3D2C 2009 3:11 pm ((PST))
=3D20
A friend is ready to buy a slab roller. It doesn't need to be too large but
it has to be dependable.
=3D20
Brent=3D2C Bailey and North Star all offer what look like great slab roller=
s.
Any recommendations or warnings I can pass on to her?
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
=3D20



=3D20
_________________________________________________________________
Get gifts for them and cashback for you. Try Bing now.
http://www.bing.com/shopping/search?q=3D3Dxbox+games&scope=3D3Dcashback&for=
m=3D3D=3D
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_1x1=3D

Sumi von Dassow on wed 9 dec 09


Lis

If she can afford to avoid the ones with cables, the cables cause all
kinds of trouble. Cloth gets caught in
them, the roller gets crooked, the cables fray and cut your fingers and
must be replaced periodically before
they break disastrously.

By the way, I have often gotten to the Clayart archives simply by doing
a google search of whatever my
question is.

Sumi

> I know there is probably oodles of info in the archives, but I just can't
> seem to figure out how to access it......
>
> A friend is ready to buy a slab roller. It doesn't need to be too large
> but it has to be dependable.
>
> Brent, Bailey and North Star all offer what look like great slab rollers.
> Any recommendations or warnings I can pass on to her?
>
> Thanks muchly,
> Lis
>
> --
> Elisabeth Allison
> Pine Ridge Studio
> www.Pine-Ridge-Studio.blogspot.com
>
>
>

Lis Allison on wed 9 dec 09


I know there is probably oodles of info in the archives, but I just can't
seem to figure out how to access it......

A friend is ready to buy a slab roller. It doesn't need to be too large
but it has to be dependable.

Brent, Bailey and North Star all offer what look like great slab rollers.
Any recommendations or warnings I can pass on to her?

Thanks muchly,
Lis

--
Elisabeth Allison
Pine Ridge Studio
www.Pine-Ridge-Studio.blogspot.com

Larry Kruzan on wed 9 dec 09


A friend is ready to buy a slab roller. It doesn't need to be too large but
it has to be dependable.

Brent, Bailey and North Star all offer what look like great slab rollers.
Any recommendations or warnings I can pass on to her?
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Hi Lis,
I have owned a Thunder River, a big Brent and now have a Bailey 30" Powered
Slab Roller with a drive board table. What follows is just my opinion based
on my experiences with them.

The Thunder River that came from Axner was easy to put together but never
seemed to function well. The bearings and gears didn't seem to mesh well an=
d
most machine work was a little low quality. As a result rotating the wagon
wheel handle was not smooth - stiff on one side, easy on the other. The
rollers seemed to be less than perfectly round, so I would get mildly
washboard slabs - not a lot but it was irritating.

It also had a tendency to suck the slab and canvas between the table and
roller. I suffered with it a year but finally passed it on to a potter who
didn't have serious needs for one.

I then located a used Brent 30" that had been modified with an electric
motor in place of the wagon wheel. It was well used when I got it but it
always gave me flat slabs as long as the clay was not too stiff. If the cla=
y
was hard the boards would flex and give me uneven slabs.

In order to change the slab thickness I had to remove or add plywood shims
to change the spacing. If a person always uses one slab thickness it is ok,
but if you use different sizes slabs it becomes a pain to change all the
time.

I carefully looked at what I liked about each of these two slab rollers and
made a list of what I liked; 1. Electric Power 2. Adjustable height rollers
3. A solid table - no canvas sucked into the table slot.
4. Big table
5. Quality workmanship

Looking around at what was on the market, there was just one slab roller
that fit this list completely - the Bailey 30" DB30 with the electric drive=
.
It is a wonderful piece of equipment that has no bad habits. The drive boar=
d
eliminates any possibility of it ever sucking the canvas into the slot next
to the roller. The bi-directional drive motor is very powerful and smooth
operating. I choose the long table to have more surface area as a work tabl=
e
when not needed as a slab roller.

I've had mine for around a year and a half with no issues at all. The
powered drive allows for effortless production.

It joins the rest of the Bailey equipment in my studio, all of which I have
found to be well made, very good machine work and welding. I would highly
recommend it.

Larry Kruzan
Lost Creek Pottery
www.lostcreekpottery.com

Anita Rickenberg on wed 9 dec 09


After much debate I zeroed in on a Bailey and I love it. My criteria: one
adjustment knob and rollers on top and bottom. I've been using it for 2
years--no complaints.
Anita

James Freeman on wed 9 dec 09


Hi, Lis...

I have experience with both the Brent and the Bailey slab rollers.
Following are some of my thoughts.

Brent: I used (and repeatedly repaired!) a Brent for a number of years at
the local college. It is a well made machine, but suffers from a number of
design weaknesses. First, it is cable-driven. The cables constantly
stretch and need to be adjusted. They get kinked and broken with any kind
of abuse. I had to replace the cables twice and untangle and reinstall the=
m
several more times. This is a big, ugly job. Keep in mind that this is in
a school studio, so in a private studio with only non-brain dead operators
this may not be an issue. Second, the table is just a couple of layers of
particle board. These invariably warp from pressure, leading to slabs that
are thick in the middle and thin at the edges. I replaced the boards, but
the problem quickly returned. Third, the thickness adjustment is controlle=
d
by placing sheets of masonite atop the particle board table in order to
decrease the gap between the table and the roller. Beside being a pain in
the butt, it requires you to store a stack of long, skinny masonite sheets.
Fourth, the Brent has only one roller, so rather than "rolling" the slab pe=
r
se, it employs more of a smearing action. I believe this exacerbates the
type of warping problems that have been discussed on clayart over the past
couple of days. The advantage to this smearing action is that gaps, folds,
or other imperfections in the wad of clay you are rolling tend to heal as
they are rolled, resulting in fairly uniform, unflawed slabs. For example,
if you see that you won't have enough clay to obtain the length of slab you
require, you can slap some more onto the unrolled portion, keep rolling, an=
d
the join will heal.

Bailey: I own a Bailey DRD/II 24-G. This is an extremely robust, well mad=
e
machine. Thickness adjustments require only a simple turn of a single
knob. With two rollers, slabs are always perfectly even. The downside to
the two roller design is that flaws in the clay slug tend to remain unheale=
d
in the rolled out slab. For example, if the unrolled slug is "grabbed" by
the lower canvas, causing the slug to flip under on itself, the resulting
gap will not heal as it is rolled, and your slab will have a deep crease
across the bottom where the fold was. You also cannot add more clay while
rolling. This is simply a drawback to a two roller design (which I feel is
far outweighed by the evenness of the slabs produced), not a flaw in the
design of the Bailey machine, and there are easy work-arounds. I have no
complaints at all regarding this machine. The "G" in the model number
signifies gear reduction. As a fair effort is required to roll a slab even
with the gear reduction, I cannot imagine using a machine without it. I
would definitely opt for the gear reduction. I also have the optional roun=
d
"wagon wheel" handle. Having used this, as well as the spoked handle on th=
e
Brent, I can say that the round wheel is superior. This is a $50 option,
but I feel it is worth the money.

These are just my personal experiences with the two machines, for whatever
they are worth.

Take care.

...James

James Freeman

"All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should
not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed."
-Michel de Montaigne

http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesfreemanstudio/
http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com/clayart/



On Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 12:41 PM, Lis Allison wrote:

> I know there is probably oodles of info in the archives, but I just can't
> seem to figure out how to access it......
>
> A friend is ready to buy a slab roller. It doesn't need to be too large
> but it has to be dependable.
>
> Brent, Bailey and North Star all offer what look like great slab rollers.
> Any recommendations or warnings I can pass on to her?
>
> Thanks muchly,
> Lis
>
> --
> Elisabeth Allison
> Pine Ridge Studio
> www.Pine-Ridge-Studio.blogspot.com
>

Mayssan Farra on wed 9 dec 09


Hi Lis:

I love my North Star, it is adjustable to different heights. 90% of my work=
start as a slab so it is used constantly. I obtained it at NCECA Charlotte=
, oh my almost 10 years ago and it is still going strong without any proble=
ms.

No relation to North Star or its affiliates;)



Mayssan Shora Farra

http://www.clayvillepottery.com

http://clayette.blogspot.com




----- Original Message ----
> From: Lis Allison
> To: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Sent: Wed, December 9, 2009 12:41:00 PM
> Subject: [Clayart] Slab rollers
>
> I know there is probably oodles of info in the archives, but I just can't
> seem to figure out how to access it......
>
> A friend is ready to buy a slab roller. It doesn't need to be too large
> but it has to be dependable.
>
> Brent, Bailey and North Star all offer what look like great slab rollers.
> Any recommendations or warnings I can pass on to her?
>
> Thanks muchly,
> Lis
>
> --
> Elisabeth Allison
> Pine Ridge Studio
> www.Pine-Ridge-Studio.blogspot.com

Marcia Selsor on wed 9 dec 09


I have had this bailey slab roller since 2002. My old bailey was from =3D
'79 or so.
I love mine.
Marcia
On Dec 9, 2009, at 5:36 PM, Anita Rickenberg wrote:

> After much debate I zeroed in on a Bailey and I love it. My criteria: =
=3D
one
> adjustment knob and rollers on top and bottom. I've been using it for =
=3D
2
> years--no complaints.
> Anita
>=3D20

Marcia Selsor
http://marciaselsor.com

joyce on thu 10 dec 09


As most of you do before buying a new piece of equipment, I
researched slab rollers for weeks before
deciding on my Bailey. I've used it even more than I expected when
mentoring students who liked the
immediacy of handbuilding results especially with such equipment as
the Bailey. Then for over a year
I was unable to throw so I handbuilt regularly. Same
observations. The Bailey is exactly what I
need.

AND doing business with Bailey, even though located all the way
across country from the Mojave, has been
effortless. I can't say enough good about the positive experiences
I've had with them regarding my large
hydraulic extruder, great and very expensive shelves, in addition to
the slab roller.

Bailey gets an A+++.

Joyce
In the Mojave desert of California U.S.A. where the weather is brrrr
the last few nights. Feels great though
to snuggle under many quilts and listen to the wind whoosh all around
the house. The Cairn puppy,
Jackson, fights the good fight trying to bite the wind, seemingly
seeking the perfect spot to hold on to for that
BIG bite. THEN the wind comes from behind and pushes him hard from
the rear and Jackson barks
threateningly ...... AS he heads for the open door.. Safely inside
with the door closed, Jack's bravado
asserts itself once again as he tells us all about it.....

paul gerhold on thu 10 dec 09


I have a Bailey slab roller that is about 15 years old. The rolling
mechanism is great and has held up well. The table they sold with it is a
piece of junk consisting of what appears to be fibreboard with the thinnest
formica surface in the world. Get a slight cut and it blisters appalingly.
Unless the product has changed a great deal I would recommend the roller bu=
t
build your own table.

Paul

On Thu, Dec 10, 2009 at 3:32 AM, joyce wrote:

> As most of you do before buying a new piece of equipment, I
> researched slab rollers for weeks before
> deciding on my Bailey. I've used it even more than I expected when
> mentoring students who liked the
> immediacy of handbuilding results especially with such equipment as
> the Bailey. Then for over a year
> I was unable to throw so I handbuilt regularly. Same
> observations. The Bailey is exactly what I
> need.
>
> AND doing business with Bailey, even though located all the way
> across country from the Mojave, has been
> effortless. I can't say enough good about the positive experiences
> I've had with them regarding my large
> hydraulic extruder, great and very expensive shelves, in addition to
> the slab roller.
>
> Bailey gets an A+++.
>
> Joyce
> In the Mojave desert of California U.S.A. where the weather is brrrr
> the last few nights. Feels great though
> to snuggle under many quilts and listen to the wind whoosh all around
> the house. The Cairn puppy,
> Jackson, fights the good fight trying to bite the wind, seemingly
> seeking the perfect spot to hold on to for that
> BIG bite. THEN the wind comes from behind and pushes him hard from
> the rear and Jackson barks
> threateningly ...... AS he heads for the open door.. Safely inside
> with the door closed, Jack's bravado
> asserts itself once again as he tells us all about it.....
>

KATHI LESUEUR on thu 10 dec 09


My first slab roller was a Brent 24". I used it for about seven years
and was always frustrated with the unevenness of the slabs. The
boards warped causing uneven pressure from the roller. I sold it
someone who did whimsical clay where consistency wasn't an issue. In
1990 I bought a Bailey DRD 24" electric. I love this machine. All of
the things I hated about the Brent are absent. I don't have to turn
the slabs and roll again to avoid warping. I can set any thickness
and the thickness is consistent throughout the slab. I've never had
to do any kind of repair or adjustments on it.

I do lots of slab work from small trays, 4" x 6" to 24" long
platters. All of them do well with this machine. Electric was not a
luxury for me. I've had shoulder surgery and the effort it takes to
manually roll out the slab really aggravates it. If you are planning
on doing lots of slab work I highly recommend getting the electric.
It will save you from repetitive motion injuries.

Well worth the investment.

KATHI LESUEUR
http://www.lesueurclaywork.com

marci and rex on thu 10 dec 09


At 10:46 PM 12/9/2009, David Woof wrote:

>Most of my life I have used a canvas wraped baseball bat to reduce a
>block of clay to a thickness my 24" X 4" steel well caseing rolling
>pin can finish to my specified dimensions.
>Sure gets the clay's attention. I do love access to the Brent
>though. Which work is now more hand made???


Hi David,
I dont know which one is more handmade.... but I
know which one is scared to death and doesnt dare warp ... LOL !!!
Marci

KATHI LESUEUR on thu 10 dec 09


On Dec 10, 2009, at 10:03 AM, paul gerhold wrote:

> I have a Bailey slab roller that is about 15 years old. The rolling
> mechanism is great and has held up well. The table they sold with
> it is a
> piece of junk consisting of what appears to be fibreboard with the
> thinnest
> formica surface in the world. Get a slight cut and it blisters
> appalingly.
> Unless the product has changed a great deal I would recommend the
> roller but
> build your own table.
>

Have to disagree here. My table is older than Paul's. It is very
sturdy and I've had no problems with the table top. Maybe there was a
production flaw in his. Mine has no blisters but does have slight
surface cuts.

KATHI LESUEUR
http://www.lesueurclaywork.com

Marcia Selsor on thu 10 dec 09


Joyce,=3D20
I have been using bailey equipment for my personal use since the late =3D
70s.=3D20
Extruder, slab roller, pugmill , wheel, and now my 36" slab roller in =3D
2002. I always enjoy talking to the reps at NCECA. They point out new =3D
improvements in the designs. I also appreciate the long distance service =
=3D
and technical help.=3D20
It is a A+++ as you say.
Marcia from Montana to deep South Texas.
On Dec 10, 2009, at 2:32 AM, joyce wrote:

> As most of you do before buying a new piece of equipment, I
> researched slab rollers for weeks before
> deciding on my Bailey. I've used it even more than I expected when
> mentoring students who liked the
> immediacy of handbuilding results especially with such equipment as
> the Bailey. Then for over a year
> I was unable to throw so I handbuilt regularly. Same
> observations. The Bailey is exactly what I
> need.
>=3D20
> AND doing business with Bailey, even though located all the way
> across country from the Mojave, has been
> effortless. I can't say enough good about the positive experiences
> I've had with them regarding my large
> hydraulic extruder, great and very expensive shelves, in addition to
> the slab roller.
>=3D20
> Bailey gets an A+++.
>=3D20
> Joyce
> In the Mojave desert of California U.S.A. where the weather is brrrr
> the last few nights. Feels great though
> to snuggle under many quilts and listen to the wind whoosh all around
> the house. The Cairn puppy,
> Jackson, fights the good fight trying to bite the wind, seemingly
> seeking the perfect spot to hold on to for that
> BIG bite. THEN the wind comes from behind and pushes him hard from
> the rear and Jackson barks
> threateningly ...... AS he heads for the open door.. Safely inside
> with the door closed, Jack's bravado
> asserts itself once again as he tells us all about it.....
>=3D20

Marcia Selsor
http://marciaselsor.com

Vince Pitelka on thu 10 dec 09


Regarding the Brent slab rollers with the cable system hidden beneath the
bed, I would have to say that as long as the machine is properly maintained=
,
the Brent is the most trouble-free slab-roller I have encountered. We have
two Brent SR-20s at the Appalachian Center for Craft, and one has been ther=
e
since I got there. It is very heavily used, and I have only replaced the
cables once in 15 16 years, and that was ten years ago. I installed them
properly, and we grease and adjust them regularly. My students are taught
to never ever bring the roller carriage up against the end stops with any
momentum, and to never roll excessively-hard clay. Those are the things
that stretch and break the cables on the Brent.

I would never buy that little "portable" Brent with the exposed cables on
the sides. That design is nothing but trouble.

The first slab roller I ever used was a wide Brent that we had at Humboldt
State University in the early 1970s, and I do not remember ever having
problems with it (but that was a long time ago). During the six years I wa=
s
at UMass-Amherst (three years in grad school, three years as studio tech),
the Brent SR-20 we had was very heavily used, and we never had to change th=
e
cables. During the time I was technician, I kept the cables properly
adjusted and lubed them regularly.

If I was going to buy a slab-roller for my own studio I'd get a Bailey, but
for institutional use I prefer the Brent.
- Vince

Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Tech University
vpitelka@dtccom.net; wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka

Rimas VisGirda on fri 11 dec 09


Vince wrote:

Regarding the Brent slab rollers with the cable system hidden beneath the
bed, I would have to say that as long as the machine is properly maintained=
,
the Brent is the most trouble-free slab-roller I have encountered. We have
two Brent SR-20s at the Appalachian Center for Craft, and one has been ther=
e
since I got there. It is very heavily used, and I have only replaced the
cables once in 15 16 years, and that was ten years ago. I installed them
properly, and we grease and adjust them regularly. My students are taught
to never ever bring the roller carriage up against the end stops with any
momentum, and to never roll excessively-hard clay. Those are the things
that stretch and break the cables on the Brent.

Rimas writes:

I had a Brent cable drive slab roller when I taught at Drake U. It served t=
he studio well, I had the students roll their clay onto a plastic sheet whi=
ch allowed them to move the slab to their workplace with ease. The only pro=
blem was sloppy students who let the plastic get into the cables and pickin=
g the plastic out of the cables was a drag. But the slab roller itself work=
ed well and was trouble free. I have one in my own studio now but rarely us=
e it as I don't normally need large slabs any more. I use it occasionally a=
s an extra workspace...

Vince wrote:

I would never buy that little "portable" Brent with the exposed cables on
the sides. That design is nothing but trouble.

Rimas writes:

I have one of those midget rollers in my own studio now (as well as the lar=
ger free standing one). The little one serves me well when I need a bunch o=
f small size slabs. I clamp the L bracket at the bottom of the legs to my w=
ork table to stabilize it.

I use a rolling pin and slats if I'm needing just a couple of slabs.

-Rimas

Marcia Selsor on tue 25 jan 11


James,
I had similar issues with the Brent where I taught. Had to replace the =3D
cables twice.=3D20
I also own a Bailey for my personal studio.=3D20
Mine is a 30" wide dual roller and the large spoke wheel. I use slab =3D
mats on top and bottom of the slug=3D20
and have not had the wrinkle issue you mentioned.
Just thought I'd mention this to you.


Marcia Selsor
http://www.marciaselsor.com

Subscribe Clayart Maya on tue 25 jan 11


Hello All!

I am taking the next step and wanting to purchase some equipment of my ow=
=3D
n=3D20
(as opposed to taking non-credit pottery classes at the university).=3D20

However, it seems as though the more research I do online, the less I can=
=3D
=3D20
decide what to buy.

Any suggestions on how basic or how extravagant I should go?? I realize =
=3D
that=3D20
the sky is the limit w/ equipment (unfortunately my finances are not), bu=
=3D
t while=3D20
not wanting to buy more than a beginner needs, I don't want to go cheap a=
=3D
nd=3D20
buy something that will a) break in 6 months or that b) I will outgrow in=
=3D
6=3D20
months.

All comments / suggestions welcome!

maya

P.S. Please include brands, models, etc you like or don't like!

James Freeman on tue 25 jan 11


On Tue, Jan 25, 2011 at 4:33 PM, Subscribe Clayart Maya m
> wrote:

I am taking the next step and wanting to purchase some equipment of my own

P.S. Please include brands, models, etc you like or don't like!



Maya...

This is a post I wrote many moons ago, and dug out of the archives. Perhap=
s
it will help:

=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

I have experience with both the Brent and the Bailey slab rollers.
Following are some of my thoughts:

Brent: I used (and repeatedly repaired!) a Brent for a number of years at
the local college. It is a well made machine, but suffers from a number of
design weaknesses. First, it is cable-driven. The cables constantly stretch
and need to be adjusted. They get kinked and broken with any kind of abuse.
I had to replace the cables twice and untangle and reinstall them several
more times. This is a big, ugly job. Keep in mind that this is in a school
studio, so in a private studio with only non-brain dead operators this may
not be an issue.

Second, the table is just a couple of layers of particle board. These
invariably warp from pressure, leading to slabs that are thick in the middl=
e
and thin at the edges. I replaced the boards, but
the problem quickly returned. Third, the thickness adjustment is controlled
by placing sheets of masonite atop the particle board table in order to
decrease the gap between the table and the roller. Beside being a pain in
the butt, it requires you to store a stack of long, skinny masonite sheets.

Fourth, the Brent has only one roller, so rather than "rolling" the slab pe=
r
se, it employs more of a smearing action. I believe this exacerbates the
type of warping problems that have been discussed on clayart over the past
couple of days. The advantage to this smearing action is that gaps, folds,
or other imperfections in the wad of clay you are rolling tend to heal as
they are rolled, resulting in fairly uniform, unflawed slabs. For example,
if you see that you won't have enough clay to obtain the length of slab you
require, you can slap some more onto the unrolled portion, keep rolling, an=
d
the join will heal.


Bailey: I own a Bailey DRD/II 24-G. This is an extremely robust, well made
machine. Thickness adjustments require only a simple turn of a single knob.
With two rollers, slabs are always perfectly even. The downside to the two
roller design is that flaws in the clay slug tend to remain unhealed in the
rolled out slab. For example, if the unrolled slug is "grabbed" by the lowe=
r
canvas, causing the slug to flip under on itself, the resulting gap will no=
t
heal as it is rolled, and your slab will have a deep crease across the
bottom where the fold was. You also cannot add more clay while rolling. Thi=
s
is simply a drawback to a two roller design (which I feel is far outweighed
by the evenness of the slabs produced), not a flaw in the design of the
Bailey machine, and there are easy work-arounds. I have no complaints at al=
l
regarding this machine. The "G" in the model number signifies gear
reduction. As a fair effort is required to roll a slab even with the gear
reduction, I cannot imagine using a machine without it. I would definitely
opt for the gear reduction. I also have the optional round "wagon wheel"
handle. Having used this, as well as the spoked handle on the Brent, I can
say that the round wheel is superior. This is a $50 option, but I feel it i=
s
worth the money.

These are just my personal experiences with the two machines, for whatever
they are worth.
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

I would add that for a couple of years before I bought the Bailey roller, I
used a pair of 3/16" thick sticks and a large wooden rolling pin from a
restaurant supply house. It was very slow going, but worked well, so this
is a good low-bucks option you may wish to consider depending on the amount
and size of slabs you use in your work.

Good luck.

...James

James Freeman

"...outsider artists, caught in the bog of their own consciousness, too
preciously idiosyncratic to be taken seriously."

"All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should
not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed."
-Michel de Montaigne

http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesfreemanstudio/
http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com/resources

<#>
<#>
<#> <#>

James Freeman on wed 26 jan 11


On Tue, Jan 25, 2011 at 11:46 PM, Marcia Selsor wrote:

I use slab mats on top and bottom of the slug
and have not had the wrinkle issue you mentioned.



Marcia...

Thanks for that. I do own a pair of slab mats that I tried years ago with
the Brent, but was having some issues with the clay sticking to them, so pu=
t
them away. I shall dig them out and give them a try with the Bailey. My
solution to the slug "tripping" problem with the Bailey has been to keep th=
e
slug of clay bent upward while rolling so that it's trailing edge can't be
caught by the canvas and dragged under. This does require a bit of a
juggling act since you really need both hands on the wheel in order to keep
the slab advancing smoothly. One would think that by now potters would hav=
e
evolved an incredibly useful third arm. Perhaps Darwin is sleeping on the
job.

All the best.

...James

James Freeman

"...outsider artists, caught in the bog of their own consciousness, too
preciously idiosyncratic to be taken seriously."

"All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should
not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed."
-Michel de Montaigne

http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesfreemanstudio/
http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com/resources

>
>
>
>
>

<#>
<#>
<#> <#>

Rob Addonizio on wed 26 jan 11


I love my Bailey Basic 30 slab roller table. It is easy to use, compresse=
=3D
s on=3D20
both sides of the slab and has never given me a problem. I put a large p=
=3D
iece=3D20
of 3/4 inch plywood on the small side to cover the gap between the roller=
=3D
s=3D20
and the rest of the table. That is the only thing I would change.

It was a great price when I bought it 4 years ago.

Hope it helps!

James Freeman on thu 27 jan 11


On Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 8:08 PM, David Woof wrote:

>
> I think if you note the key word "abuse" in James' archive posting you wi=
ll
> then see, what is in my opinion, an unwarranted and unprofessional slammi=
ng
> of a fine product.
>

David Woof....Clarkdale, Arizona
______________________________
>
> ____________
> 9a. Re: slab rollers
> Posted by: "James Freeman" jamesfreemanstudio@GMAIL.COM
> Date: Tue Jan 25, 2011 8:35 pm ((PST))
>
> I have experience with both the Brent and the Bailey slab rollers.
> Following are some of my thoughts:
>
> Brent: I used (and repeatedly repaired!) a Brent for a number of years at
> the local college. It is a well made machine, but suffers from a number o=
f
> design weaknesses. First, it is cable-driven. The cables constantly stret=
ch
> and need to be adjusted. They get kinked and broken with any kind of abus=
e.
> I had to replace the cables twice and untangle and reinstall them several
> more times. This is a big, ugly job. Keep in mind that this is in a schoo=
l
> studio, so in a private studio with only non-brain dead operators this ma=
y
> not be an issue.
>
> Second, the table is just a couple of layers of particle board. These
> invariably warp from pressure, leading to slabs that are thick in the
> middle
> and thin at the edges. I replaced the boards, but
> the problem quickly returned. Third, the thickness adjustment is controll=
ed
> by placing sheets of masonite atop the particle board table in order to
> decrease the gap between the table and the roller. Beside being a pain in
> the butt, it requires you to store a stack of long, skinny masonite






David...

Glad you are happy with your Brent. Please point out specifically what I
said in my post that a) constituted a "slam", b) was unwarranted, and c) wa=
s
unprofessional. I said specifically, and you even quoted, that the machine
was well made, but it does indeed suffer from some design weaknesses. I
outlined the weaknesses in a factual and straight forward way, and even
stated that the first, the fact that it is cable driven, would probably not
be an issue in a home studio.

No one forced "large chunks of clay hardened almost to the leather stage"
through the Brent. Beside being practically impossible, there would be
absolutely no point to such an action. Why you would assume such behavior
is beyond me.

You could have easily said that you own a Brent, are happy with it, and hav=
e
not experienced the problems that others have described. Instead, you name
me by name, and accuse me of an unwarranted and unprofessional slam. I
wonder why?

...James

James Freeman

"...outsider artists, caught in the bog of their own consciousness, too
preciously idiosyncratic to be taken seriously."

"All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should
not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed."
-Michel de Montaigne

http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesfreemanstudio/
http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com/resources

>
>
>
>
>
>


<#>
<#>
<#> <#>

Vince Pitelka on thu 27 jan 11


I like Bailey slab rollers very much, but I have used the Brent SR-20 in
three different academic studios where they were used extremely heavily but
were well-maintained. In the three years I was the ceramics studio tech at
UMass-Amherst, I had to replace the cables one time, and I do not know how
long it had been since the previous replacement. I did not have to replace
them during my three years at NDSU in Fargo. Several years after I was
hired to run the clay program at Tennessee Tech in 1994 I had to replace th=
e
cables, and several years after that we purchased a second SR-20. On the
first one, it has been fourteen years since I replaced the cables, and the
only thing we have done in the mean time is grease the cables and
occasionally adjust the tension. Our second SR-20 is now about ten years
old and has still needed no adjustment or cable replacement. We are very
careful about teaching our students to never roll stiff clay, and to always
flatten out the lump first to make things a little easier for the slab
roller. That's a good idea anyway with any slab roller, because it allows
you to shape the lump to maximize control over the shape of the resulting
slab.

The Masonite shims are very easy to change, and are no problem to store.
They stand vertically next to our slab rollers. I have never had to replac=
e
any of the Masonite shims.

All of that said, I realize that there are academic studios where equipment
gets abused, and I feel bad for the people who run those studios and have t=
o
maintain that equipment. I do believe that in that situation, the Brent
SR-20 would still be far less trouble than other brands of slab rollers.
Also, it is important to point out that all of my experience is with the
SR-20, and in my experience, the wider Brent slab roller is more of a
problem when it comes to maintaining and changing the cables. But I find
absolutely no reason to have a wider one. Since a long slab needs to be
cross-rolled with a heavy rolling pin anyway to eliminate unidirectional
grain structure, it is a simple matter to initially roll it a little on the
thick side on the slab roller, and then widen and thin it when cross-rollin=
g
it. With a little practice, this can be done with great accuracy. It is
easy for me to achieve a uniform slab 36" square, and I cannot imagine
anyone handling a slab larger than that in one piece.
- Vince

Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Tech University
vpitelka@dtccom.net; wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka

Bonnie Staffel on thu 27 jan 11


I also tried the slab mat and the clay stuck to it as well. My deduction =
=3D
was
that my clay was too moist to work with the slab mat. I use a very stiff
Pelon material instead and it leaves no pattern. However, there are =3D
wrinkles
occasionally.

Bonnie

http://webpages.charter.net/bstaffel/
http://vasefinder.com/bstaffelgallery1.html
DVD=3DA0 Throwing with Coils and Slabs
DVD=3DA0 Introduction to Wheel Work
Charter Member Potters Council

May Luk on thu 27 jan 11


I have a 30" SlabMaster from ClayKing dot com. I have been using it
since Jan 2007 and I am happy with it.
I am a handbuilder and work in clay part-time. I make average 38 slabs
a week since 2007.

It is not a one pass machine. I do several passes from thicker to my
desired 8 mm thickness and change directions. I use a thick nylon
lining between the thick canvas provided. I can wash the nylon lining
every week. The nylon takes some moisture from the clay and it works
well like that.

I found a lot of slab roller problem stem from too soft clay, rolling
too fast and clay slab too thick but you probably knew that already.
Also, I roll my clay from the middle rather than from the beginning
tip, I don't know if this is the norm or not.

I have ordered twice from clay king and no complains from me. I am not
affiliated with this site.

May

On Tue, Jan 25, 2011 at 4:33 PM, Subscribe Clayart Maya
wrote:
> Hello All!
>
> I am taking the next step and wanting to purchase some equipment of my ow=
=3D
n
> (as opposed to taking non-credit pottery classes at the university).
>
> However, it seems as though the more research I do online, the less I can
> decide what to buy.
>
> Any suggestions on how basic or how extravagant I should go?? =3DA0I real=
iz=3D
e that
> the sky is the limit w/ equipment (unfortunately my finances are not), bu=
=3D
t while
> not wanting to buy more than a beginner needs, I don't want to go cheap a=
=3D
nd
> buy something that will a) break in 6 months or that b) I will outgrow in=
=3D
6
> months.
>
> All comments / suggestions welcome!
>
> maya
>
> P.S. Please include brands, models, etc you like or don't like!
>



--=3D20
http://twitter.com/MayLuk
http://www.takemehomeware.com/

Subscribe Clayart Maya on thu 27 jan 11


Hello All!

I want to thank everyone who's written in w/ advice, suggestions, and com=
=3D
ments=3D20
regarding my search for a good slab roller for a beginner such as myself.=
=3D


I've narrowed my search down to a Bailey DRD/II 24"-G or a North Star 24"=
=3D
=3D20
Super.......still trying to decide, but feel confident in both.

Those two received nothing but praise.

If you have any additional words of wisdom for me, please send to me. Th=
=3D
ank=3D20
you again for all your help!

maya

David Woof on thu 27 jan 11


Hi Maya=3D2C =3D20
=3D20
I think if you note the key word "abuse" in James' archive posting you will=
=3D
then see=3D2C what is in my opinion=3D2C an unwarranted and unprofessional=
sla=3D
mming of a fine product. Obviously ignorance in proper use of any equipmen=
=3D
t will lead to frustration and disappointment. Slab rollers are all design=
=3D
ed to accomplish the same results so there are certain conditions that will=
=3D
constitute abuse to any of them. =3D20
=3D20
In my long experience with Brent slab rollers I am certain that one would n=
=3D
eed to be forcing some large chunks of clay hardened almost to the leather =
=3D
stage thru the works to do the damage he describes. Also I don't want to i=
=3D
magine who at college level would do or allow the kicking of cables complet=
=3D
ely tucked away and hidden in the under belly of the roller table? But as =
=3D
the writer said=3D3B"abuse". =3D20
=3D20
I have known Brent slab rollers to last 30+ years with nothing more than ca=
=3D
ble tightening (not a snarled cable mess process) and still be going strong=
=3D
. The hard board shims store hanging on a wall peg=3D2C or easily store fl=
at=3D
on the frame work under the roller table.
=3D20
Regarding the "brain dead" school abuse in general=3D3B Who has the firm g=
ui=3D
ding hand in the class? Who is responsible for teaching=3D2C expecting=3D2=
C an=3D
d demanding proper and safe use of all equipment and materials?
=3D20
Just like throwers who get carpal tunnel injuries when they imagine that ce=
=3D
ntering and pulling harder clay makes taller pots=3D2C so are those that ju=
mp=3D
in to any project without adequate and proper information.
=3D20
Does anyone have a Brent they don't know how to operate? Ask Maya if she =
=3D
wants it and if she says no or maybe! call me! ( 500 mile radius) I'll com=
=3D
e and haul it away for you and you can order one of those cheapies with the=
=3D
plastic gears!!!!! Yup=3D2C you betcha=3D2C I sure will!!!
=3D20
David Woof....Clarkdale=3D2C Arizona
__________________________________________
9a. Re: slab rollers
Posted by: "James Freeman" jamesfreemanstudio@GMAIL.COM=3D20
Date: Tue Jan 25=3D2C 2011 8:35 pm ((PST))

On Tue=3D2C Jan 25=3D2C 2011 at 4:33 PM=3D2C Subscribe Clayart Maya a54@gm=3D
ail.com
> wrote:

I am taking the next step and wanting to purchase some equipment of my own

P.S. Please include brands=3D2C models=3D2C etc you like or don't like!



Maya...

This is a post I wrote many moons ago=3D2C and dug out of the archives. Per=
ha=3D
ps
it will help:

=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=
=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D
=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=
=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D
=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D

I have experience with both the Brent and the Bailey slab rollers.
Following are some of my thoughts:

Brent: I used (and repeatedly repaired!) a Brent for a number of years at
the local college. It is a well made machine=3D2C but suffers from a number=
o=3D
f
design weaknesses. First=3D2C it is cable-driven. The cables constantly str=
et=3D
ch
and need to be adjusted. They get kinked and broken with any kind of abuse.
I had to replace the cables twice and untangle and reinstall them several
more times. This is a big=3D2C ugly job. Keep in mind that this is in a sch=
oo=3D
l
studio=3D2C so in a private studio with only non-brain dead operators this =
ma=3D
y
not be an issue.

Second=3D2C the table is just a couple of layers of particle board. These
invariably warp from pressure=3D2C leading to slabs that are thick in the m=
id=3D
dle
and thin at the edges. I replaced the boards=3D2C but
the problem quickly returned. Third=3D2C the thickness adjustment is contro=
ll=3D
ed
by placing sheets of masonite atop the particle board table in order to
decrease the gap between the table and the roller. Beside being a pain in
the butt=3D2C it requires you to store a stack of long=3D2C skinny masonite=
=3D20

=3D20



=3D

John Rodgers on fri 28 jan 11


Maya,

I have on of those Brent slab rollers that is cable driven, has the
crank handle on one side, and a single roller on top, uses several
different thicknesses of fiber board to set the finished slab thickness,
and the heavy canvas that goes on top. It is over twenty years old, and
I have yet to replace even one of the cables. For a small studio, these
are great little slab rollers, not terribly expensive, and very simple
to operate and maintain. Like all tools, how well it performs, and how
well it holds up, depends strictly on the operator. In a class room
environment, it would take a beating. In a one or two person studio
environment --- well, like I said, mine is over 20 years old. So, like
the 'Lil Boy sez, "yu'z pay's yu'z money and yu'z takes yu'z chances!"

Good luck.

John

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com


On 1/27/2011 3:05 PM, Subscribe Clayart Maya wrote:
> Hello All!
>
> I want to thank everyone who's written in w/ advice, suggestions, and com=
ments
> regarding my search for a good slab roller for a beginner such as myself.
>
> I've narrowed my search down to a Bailey DRD/II 24"-G or a North Star 24"
> Super.......still trying to decide, but feel confident in both.
>
> Those two received nothing but praise.
>
> If you have any additional words of wisdom for me, please send to me. Th=
ank
> you again for all your help!
>
> maya
>
>

Steve Slatin on fri 28 jan 11


James, how many people on Clayart have
you gotten into these mud-slinging competitions
with? Five? Six? More?

Will this one end up, as others have in the
past, with your recommending that others stop
replying to your posts?

Note what I italicized in David W's post --
he disagrees strongly with your opinion.

He's entitled to that.

You did write negatively about a PRODUCT.
He took that as a slam; frankly, it read
like one to me. I didn't care, David did.

David responded with a defense of the PRODUCT.

You took his defense of the PRODUCT as a
personal attack. =3D20

You're entitled to that, even if it didn't
read like one to me. You then responded with
what does read, to me, like an attack against
David.

I have left your tag-line quotation from
Montaigne. You seem to have forgotten that
you have no "due to be believed." If you
wish to make a claim to infallability I'd
suggest you either become Pope or drop the
tag line. (BTW - dropping the tag line
would be easier.)

There are too many claimants to perfect
knowledge on Clayart already. You don't
need to add to that.


Steve Slatin --=3D20


, what is in my opinion, an unwarranted and
> unprofessional slamming
> > of a fine ***product***.
> >
>=3D20
> David Woof....Clarkdale, Arizona
=3D20
> You could have easily said that you own a Brent, are happy
> with it, and have
> not experienced the problems that others have
> described.=3DA0 Instead, you name
> me by name, and accuse me of an unwarranted and
> unprofessional slam.=3DA0 I
> wonder why?
>=3D20
> ...James
>=3D20
>=3D20
> "All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of
> advice.=3DA0 I should
> not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed."
> -Michel de Montaigne
=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A

James Freeman on fri 28 jan 11


Steve...

Please reread both Mr. Woof's post and my own reply. You are smarter than
this.

Sorry, I did not understand your pope references, your mud-slinging
references, nor most of the rest of what you said.

All the best.

...James

James Freeman

"...outsider artists, caught in the bog of their own consciousness, too
preciously idiosyncratic to be taken seriously."

"All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should
not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed."
-Michel de Montaigne

http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesfreemanstudio/
http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com/resources



On Fri, Jan 28, 2011 at 12:31 PM, Steve Slatin wrot=
e:

> James, how many people on Clayart have
> you gotten into these mud-slinging competitions
> with? Five? Six? More?
>

<#>
<#>
<#> <#>

Larry Kruzan on fri 28 jan 11


We Know why this goes on and we know you three guys dislike each other -
That if James says the sky is Blue, David will jump in and say it's green
and James should not be stupid - then the war is on for twenty posts - Egge=
d
on by others. Why - because you guys have differing social and political
outlooks - but since we can't discuss THAT here, you all act like asses
looking for ANY little thing to jump on.

Talk pots or don't talk.

* Not pertinent - Opinion, not supported by documentation - And why go
there?
<<<<>>>>>
James, how many people on Clayart have
you gotten into these mud-slinging competitions with? Five? Six? More?

Will this one end up, as others have in the past, with your recommending
that others stop replying to your posts?

* David W made a personal attack - as he does with almost every post James
makes - AND you do too Steve - <<<>>>> Note what I italicized in
David W's post -- he disagrees strongly with your opinion.

* But we are so tired of all of it -
<<<>>
He's entitled to that.

*** The fact that is was negative does not mean it was untrue -
<<<>>>> You did write negatively about a PRODUCT.
He took that as a slam; frankly, it read like one to me. I didn't care,
David did.

* Fine - but why defend? Why not just point out its good points - it does
have several, just as it has several bed points. - <<<<>>>>> David
responded with a defense of the PRODUCT.

* Only the part that WAS personal -
<<<<>>>>>>
You took his defense of the PRODUCT as a personal attack.

You're entitled to that, even if it didn't read like one to me. You then
responded with what does read, to me, like an attack against David.

***Can you please STOP the playground bickering and talk about POTS?? - "I
don't like what you said so I'm going to erase what you say" Waaa Waaa Waaa
- Grow up!
<<>>>
I have left your tag-line quotation from Montaigne. You seem to have
forgotten that you have no "due to be believed." If you wish to make a
claim to infallability I'd suggest you either become Pope or drop the tag
line. (BTW - dropping the tag line would be easier.)

** I totally agree with this - Lets ALL listen - <<>>> There are too
many claimants to perfect knowledge on Clayart already. You don't need to
add to that.
Steve Slatin --


Larry Kruzan
Lost Creek Pottery
www.lostcreekpottery.com

Craig Rhodes on sat 29 jan 11


I've used both Bailey and Brent slab rollers over the years and both have=
=3D
=3D20
pluses and minuses as described in other posts.

Since 2003 I've been using a slab roller sold by Axner under their brand =
=3D
name,=3D20
Rolling Thunder, which is also sold by Clay King under their proprietary =
=3D
name,=3D20
SlabMaster. It is the same slab roller, which is built in China. Use th=
=3D
e links=3D20
below to see them.

The prices from both distributers are comparable depending on seasonal sa=
=3D
les=3D20
breaks as well as shipping. At around $650 it was the best price I coul=
=3D
d find=3D20
at the time. Based on the price, which suited my limited budget conside=
=3D
ring=3D20
that both Brent and Bailey were much higher, I took a chance and ordered =
=3D
the=3D20
Rolling Thunder from Axner. I've not regretted it.

It will roll out a 30" wide slab easily. It uses two rollers that are kn=
=3D
urled for=3D20
better grabbing. The rollers are easily adjusted up and down for infinit=
=3D
e slab=3D20
thicknesses from paper thin to 2.75 inches thick thus avoiding masonite s=
=3D
hims.=3D20=3D20
By avoiding the shims you eliminate another step in the process making th=
=3D
e=3D20
work flow more efficient.

Both sides of rollers adjust up and down simultaneously by turning the di=
=3D
al on=3D20
either side. It comes with both wagon wheel and hand crank. It will ro=
=3D
ll the=3D20
slab in either direction which facilitates cross rolling by being able to=
=3D
easily=3D20
turn the slab 90 degrees for a run through from either direction.=3D20=3D20

It comes with canvas which I don't use in favor of the 30" by 50" SlabMat=
=3D
,=3D20
which I fold in half lengthwise. The SlabMat works great for my purpose=
=3D
s. It=3D20
leaves no texture and if the clay isn't too "wet" it won't stick.=3D20=3D20=
=3D20=3D


I've been using this slab roller daily for almost 8 years and have only h=
=3D
ad to=3D20
make minor adjustments on two occasions. I roll my slabs out by adjusti=
=3D
ng=3D20
the thickness with several pass throughs thus compressing the clay better=
=3D
and=3D20
making for less strain on my body. It is bolted to the studio floor. I=
=3D
t is=3D20
rugged, durable, nearly maintenance free, and the price can't be beat. Y=
=3D
ou=3D20
just have to decide whether you can forgo the guilt of buying an excellen=
=3D
t tool=3D20
from China rather than from the U.S.

Craig
www.jcrhodes.com

http://www.clay-king.com/itemcsslabroller.html
http://www.axner.com/axner-rolling-thunder-slab-roller.aspx

Steve Slatin on sat 29 jan 11


Right, Larry! And you also dislike many people,
including me. And you somehow have concluded
that when you talk politics, or engage in putdowns
of others, that's permissible, but when anyone who
disagrees with you does it, they need a good slap down.

And why that double standard?

You're one of the most prominent of the "not posting
on pots" posters yourself.


Steve Slatin --



--- On Fri, 1/28/11, Larry Kruzan wrote:

> We Know why this goes on and we know
> you three guys dislike each other -
>