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extruders, scott creek

updated tue 31 dec 96

 

gary l. kvalheim on wed 11 dec 96


I also have a Scott Creek extruder. In the beginning I had the same problem
with the handle coming loose. With a little playing around I got the feel
for how wet the clay had to be to get a nice extruded piece. I use the
extension box and mainly extrude long rectangles. I leave the rectangle
hanging out of the extruder until it becomes firm enough to remove and not
collapse. With the Scott Creek, if you are using any of the dies that make a
hollow piece, you can't put you handle in the last slots to extrude out the
last bit of clay. This last bit of clay has also set up a little, so when
you pull up the handle to put in more clay you also pull up the center part
of the die with it and you now have to realign everything. I think I can
solve this problem by giving the handle a little twist before I pull up but
I haven't tried this yet. At the time I got my extruder my only two choices
where the North Star or the Scott Creek. I would still get the Scott Creek
over the North Star. It looks like the Bailey's has solved the problem of
moving parts by having the two pieces of the die attached to each other. The
Bailey extruder can also extrude more forms than both the Scott Creek and
North Star.

I also have a Bailey's slab roller and I love it.


Sandra in Vancouver (the other Vancouver)

Pelly123@aol.com on tue 17 dec 96


I don't have this problem with the Scott Creek. First, I have a washer and
nut on the clay side of the inner die and also on the bottom side, which
prevent it from moving when I raise the plunger. My plunger goes all the way
down, including the last two stops. I use Miller Clay right out of the box,
so it's not too hard. I've used your technique of leaving the form
suspended until it sets up for very tall extrusions, but on the shorter ones,
I make sure the bottom is square and place a bat under it to steady it, then
cut, and it is more stable and easier to do than to try to grab the form.

My son made all new dies out of wood and I am getting some really great
things out of it. (Carpenters in the family are also good). This is such a
good time of year. As I promissed myself, I have been trying all sorts of
new things and have been having much fun.

Pelly in Rochester NY