Clay extruders are excellent tools for any ceramics studio. Extruders are available in many shapes, sizes and styles, ranging from small, handheld extruders to industrial, wall-mounted extruders. Clay extruders perform numerous functions and have become a common tool in the classroom and home studio, and are used by both potters and sculptors. Extruders are adapted for use with interchangeable dies in a variety of shapes, allowing for endless possibilities!
Wall-mounted clay extruders are well-suited for classrooms and studio artists. The benefits of wall-mounted clay extruders are that they are extremely durable and can handle large amounts of clay. They are ideal for extruding oversized forms, including large coils and hollow tubes, which can then be altered to create sculptures and functional ceramic wares. Here at The Ceramic Shop, we carry a variety of models of wall-mounted extruders. The Scott Creek extruders are heavy-duty wall extruders available in aluminum and steel models with different barrel size options. They are interchangeable with many die sets, allowing for creation of a variety of extruded forms and shapes. Brent's wall-mounted extruder is also extremely durable and can handle large amounts of clay with ease. This is a great model for university classrooms, where equipment gets constant use by many individuals.
Clay gun extruders offer an inexpensive alternative to large, wall-mounted extruders. Because they are smaller than the wall-mounted version, they are easy to store and handle, making them a favorite in small, personal studios and in school classrooms. Scott Creek clay gun extruders or The Ceramic Shop's Extruder are durable, easy to use, and lightweight. They are available in a variety of sizes and have the ability to function with a large assortment of dies. We recommend using clay gun extruders for creating long coils for use in handbuilt projects and sculptures. They are also great for making handles for both small and large forms.
Mini clay extruders are small, hand held extruders that fit right in the palm of your hand! The Kemper Klay Gun is a mini extruder with a syringe-like plunger. The Klay Gun comes with nineteen different dies, and is great for creating small coils, borders, rims, jewelry, beads and more! Mini clay extruders can often be used with multiple types of clay, including stoneware, polymer clay and porcelain. These extruders are also popular among children, as they are easy to use and simple to hold.
For best results, always use moist, well wedged clay in your extruder. Clay should be placed in the extruder at the time of use - and should not remain in there after you are finished working. You do not want clay to dry and harden in the barrel of the extruder, as it will make cleaning and future extruding difficult. Extruders should be cleaned thoroughly after each use to enhance their performance and extend their lifespan.
