Suzanne Storer on thu 18 dec 97
I am considering purchasing their stainless steel extruder with polyethelene
dies. Has anyone used this tool and what do you think of it? Wondering how
it compares with other extruders.
Thanks, Suzanne Storer
Cathy Mumford on fri 19 dec 97
Suzanne Storer wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I am considering purchasing their stainless steel extruder with polyethelene
> dies. Has anyone used this tool and what do you think of it? Wondering how
> it compares with other extruders.
> Thanks, Suzanne Storer
Hi Suzanne! I own the Northstar extruder and find it an excellent
machine. What I really like is that the company seems committed to
developing many new dies. If you enjoy handbuilding and constructing
from an extruder I don't think you will find a machine with a better
selection of dies to choose from.(short of making your own). The
Northstar also has an extension handle which really makes it easier to
extrude the clay. I personally think the northstar is a very good tool
and prefer it to some of the other extruders I have used. Cathy Mumford
from Sunny Saskatchewan where its actually a cloudy day!
Paul Lewing on fri 19 dec 97
Suzanne,
I have used pretty much every brand of extruder at some time in the
course of teaching workshops, and I must say that I was NOT impressed
with the Northstar. The barrel is just too small for any serious
extruding. The one I used had a barrel only about a foot long, and
about 3" square. If you are extruding something, say, an inch wide
and 1/2" deep, you can only get an extrusion about a foot long, not
counting the inevitable curl, before you have to reload. Now, if you
were making 1/4" round coils, this might work for you.
Also you mention the polyethylene dies. Remember that the real
creativity in extruding is in making the dies. So for any real
original work, you really have to make your own dies. I use scrap
aluminum myself.
I have a Randall extruder, but if I were to have to buy another
extruder, I'd buy a Bailey.
Paul Lewing, Seattle
john eden on fri 19 dec 97
Suzanne, If you are going to use the extruder for personal use only, I
would say that the Northstar may be adequate (depending ofcourse on what you
wish to make). If it is to be used in a school or College setting etc. I
would say don't even think about it. Go for the Bailey. Cheers, John.
John Eden
Ceramics Department
John Abbott College
Ste. Anne de Bellevue
Quebec, Canada.
514-457-6610. ext. 395
e-mail > john.eden@johnabbott.qc.ca
Mishy Lowe on fri 19 dec 97
At 9:33 AM -0500 12/18/97, Suzanne Storer wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I am considering purchasing their stainless steel extruder with polyethelene
>dies. Has anyone used this tool and what do you think of it? Wondering how
>it compares with other extruders.
Hi Suzanne
A few years ago, I asked for an extruder for a birthday present and sent my
hubby to the local clay store to buy one. The only one they carry is
Northstar. I am very disappointed in the short barrel it has, requiring
reloading of clay for any extended extruding at all (wow, that's a
mouthful). I would suggest another brand (I've only used Bailey, but I
hear Scott Creek's are nice too), with a longer barrel that will hold more
clay.
Mishy
Michelle Lowe, potter in the Phoenix desert \|/ |
mishlowe@indirect.com -O- | |
mishlowe@aztec.asu.edu /|\ | | |
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http://www.amug.org/~mishlowe -\ /-----|-----
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KLeSueur on sat 27 dec 97
I've used the Scott Creek extruder for years now. It's a good piece of
equipment. If you get that one, get lots of extra blank aluminum dies. You can
make dies from plexiglas, cut out an opening on the aluminum blank, and then
screw the plexiglas to the aluminum. I prefer to make dies from plexiglas, but
they must be backed up by the aluminum or they may crack while extruding.
Nancy Guido on sat 13 apr 02
I like my Northstar extruder, but I use the clay right out of the box. It
doesn't have to be baby poo, but it can't be rock hard either. I didn't
like the Brent extruder because I got my fingers pinched. I actually chose
this one because I thought I would mount it on a table and extrude
horizontally, however, it ended up on the wall to save space.
Nancy
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