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removing forms from extruder

updated thu 14 dec 06

 

Carole Fox on wed 13 dec 06


I'm posting this again since I got mail delivery errors the first 2 times
when I tried to post from the ACERS website:

I finally bought an extruder a few months ago, and have made several
extruded forms. I am having a problem cutting the extruded hollow forms
and removing them from the extruder without distortion. It's been several
years since I used an extruder, but I don't remember having this problem
before. Is this just a matter of how moist/soft the clay is? Or are some
clay body formulations better than others for extruding? I'd appreciate
any advice those of you who extrude hollow forms can share.

Thanks in advance,
Carole Fox
Dayton, OH

David Hendley on wed 13 dec 06


Yes, it is probably just a matter of your clay being too soft.
Really, the same characteristics that make for a good
throwing claybody are the same that make for a good extruding
body. More plastic is better, so the clay can be dryer, yet still
be workable and able to hold its shape. Clay for extruding should
be about the same consistency as that for throwing.
David Hendley
Maydelle, Texas
david(at)farmpots(dot)com
http://www.farmpots.com


----- Original Message -----
> I finally bought an extruder a few months ago, and have made several
> extruded forms. I am having a problem cutting the extruded hollow forms
> and removing them from the extruder without distortion. It's been several
> years since I used an extruder, but I don't remember having this problem
> before. Is this just a matter of how moist/soft the clay is? Or are some
> clay body formulations better than others for extruding?

William & Susan Schran User on wed 13 dec 06


On 12/13/06 9:13 AM, "Carole Fox" wrote:

> I am having a problem cutting the extruded hollow forms
> and removing them from the extruder without distortion. It's been several
> years since I used an extruder, but I don't remember having this problem
> before. Is this just a matter of how moist/soft the clay is? Or are some
> clay body formulations better than others for extruding?

Carole - Some extrusions, especially the smaller ones will demand a moister
clay, and if the wall of the extrusion is thin it will be difficult to
handle without distortion.

You might try extruding the clay, then using a heat gun to stiffen the clay
prior to cutting and handling.


--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com