John Johnson on mon 18 feb 02
Thanks to those who replied to my orignal inquiry.
I'm still contemplating the purchase of a 30" dual roller slab roller, but
can't decide between the Northstar Super and the Bailey DRD-II.
Many of the comments in the archives seem to compare apples to oranges:
-- 2-1/2" Northstars vs 4" Baileys,
-- New Northstars vs Bailey Originals,
-- Old models of one vs current models of the other
-- Manual vs electric...
If anyone out there has experience with c u r r e n t models of both
brands, I be much obliged to hear your views on these issues:
Mechanical Advantage
Northstar has a small wheel geared at 4:1 to the roller, Bailey has a large
wheel connected directly to the roller. Which operates with less effort?
Bi-directional Movement
Northstar rolls in both directions, Bailey in one direction. Which has
advantages in practical use? Does "one pass slabbing" actually take place in
real world? Or do other factors make multi-pass the norm?
Split-level Table
Bailey's feed table is lower than the receiving side. Does this permit
larger loads of clay to be fed into the rollers?
Pile height
Bailey advertises that you can load a 3" log of clay into the DRD-II. Can
the Northstar Super do the same? How thin can you practically roll from such
a starting thickness?
Ceramic Design Group on mon 18 feb 02
You may want to reference the Potters Guide September(Pottery Making
Illustrated) 2001 that contained an evaluation of the slab roller
marketplace that I authored.
We covered all the questions in your originalposting.
Jonathan
--
Jonathan Kaplan
CERAMIC DESIGN GROUP
PO Box 775112
Steamboat Springs, CO 80577
(970) 879-9139
info@ceramicdesigngroup.net
www.ceramicdesigngroup.net
Sharon Pemberton on tue 19 feb 02
I switched from Bailey to Northstar. Less fixin', heavy duty, student
friendly, infinite control. I did not make this a science project, I just
switched because It seemed better/easier. Perhaps a female thing.
Sharon
in Dallas for a while having left her Northstar in AZ, but wishin' it to be
here!
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