Craig Clark on fri 12 apr 02
I have two North Star products. A slab roller, which I really like, and
an extruder, which I do not. This is the small extruder, not the big one
with the wheel on it. It came to me via an ex-student who left it in my shop
and has never returned for it.
The issue that I have with the extruder is two fold. The basic design is
such that the lever arm is attached to a fixed, rather than movable pivot
point. Because you are only able to exert optimum force at the top of the
pull. Other extruders such as an old Bailey or a Scott Creek, enable the
user to move the pivot point of the lever arm down the vertical shaft as the
clay is forced from the chamber. This is simply a better design in this
regard if the question of effective use of force is an issue.
I have also had some difficulty with the stainless die supporter for the
hollow extrusions. It has become mis-shappen and the extrusions were coming
out with uneven and seamed walls. I went over to the local ceramics store to
purchase another one and was dismayed to discover that they wanted $25 for
it. I ended up putting the old one on an anvil and getting it back into
shaped. It works relatively well again.
On the positive side I really do like the die kit that I purchased for
it and the cost is low compared to many of the other extruders on the
market. It does work so I guess it doesn't bother me to much, otherwise I'd
just get rid of it and make my own. David Hendley is the definitive source
of information on extruder construction if you consider that avenue.
Hope this helps
Craig Dunn Clark
619 East 11 1/2 st
Houston, Texas 77008
(713)861-2083
mudman@hal-pc.org
----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2002 3:38 PM
Subject: Re: Need Opinions on extruders
> Hi:
> I can't give you comparisons but can tell you that I purchased and
installed
> a North Star Extruder and find it efficient, very well designed and very
> sturdy. Of course, the extruder must be fastened very securely to insure
its
> ability to withstand the strong pressure of forcing soft clay through the
> dies provided by North Star as well as any dies you may create yourself.
(I
> lightly spray the inside of the clay receptacle dwith WD/40 before
inserting
> the clay to ease the pressure needed to make smooth extrusions.)
>
> Good luck!
>
> Marvin Flowerman
> marvpots@aol.com
>
>
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