Peggy Thompson on sun 21 feb 10
What specifications in a compressors info would I need to judge if one
is a match for extruding with the Bailey pneumatic version using the
BalticBirch manufacturers' dies for hollow extrusions?
Second question- what Gage materials and what proscess would be
easiest, for a new to die making non machinist use person, to make
metal or ? dies both hollow and solid extrusion dies?
Thanks,
Margaret
Larry Kruzan on mon 22 feb 10
Hi Peggy,
The Bailey Pneumatic extruder is a wonderful tool that will work with almos=
t
any "real" shop compressor. I say real compressor to exclude the little
airbrush "compressors" that have no tank or much output.
I have operated mine at workshops with a contractor "pancake" compressor.
This should be considered the smallest that you should consider. The
requirements make this size run continuously.
In my retail studio I use a Porter-cable 3.5hp 20 gallon unit that is loud
(all compressors are loud) so it's in an insulated closet. It operates on
120VAC and runs much, much less than the contractor.
The next bigger (and best) is the one I have in my home studio, a 6.5hp wit=
h
a 60 gallon tank. This is not much (if any) louder than the 20 gallon unit
but it is bigger and runs on 240VAC. It also lives in its own closet to kee=
p
noise levels down. I can run many cycles of the extruder before it turns on=
.
Of course, it runs longer too.
I much prefer the bigger one of the four compressors I own for the extruder=
.
Price wise it looks like this - small cheap Chinese made compressor from
Harbor Freight, $129-$250 (they will work, for a while but not long). A goo=
d
contractor pancake compressor that will last a while is about $250. My
Porter-Cable 20 Gallon was $299 on sale. My 60 gallon was $499 on sale. I d=
o
own another 30 gallon compressor that lives in my garage and fills tires an
balls - I bought it from a guy on Craig's list for $100 - it also serves as
a backup for the others.
Baltic birch ply works just fine for dies but there is a point where the
clay is too stiff and the pressure too high and the die can break. I think
this is more about the clay being too stiff rather than the pressure. I
prefer softer clay for extruding.
I would also suggest you check out the Yahoo extruding group too. Lots of
talented extruders there too, with some overlap (BG) - you know who you are=
.
If there is anything else I can help you with please feel free to ask.
Larry Kruzan
Lost Creek Pottery
www.lostcreekpottery.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Peggy Thompson
Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2010 1:36 PM
To: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Compressor for Bailey extruded?
What specifications in a compressors info would I need to judge if one
is a match for extruding with the Bailey pneumatic version using the
BalticBirch manufacturers' dies for hollow extrusions?
Second question- what Gage materials and what proscess would be
easiest, for a new to die making non machinist use person, to make
metal or ? dies both hollow and solid extrusion dies?
Thanks,
Margaret
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