Paula Rubin on mon 2 sep 96
Hi Everyone!
I'm looking to purchase a new slab roller. I'm wondering if anyone has
any experience with Brent or Bailey slab rollers. Can you give me any
advice on the differences between the two brands and which one would be
better? I would like the roller to be either 30" or 36".
TIA
Paula in Miami
Sally Prange on tue 3 sep 96
In a message dated 96-09-02 20:00:39 EDT, you write:
>
>
suggest you look into the northstar slab roller, with or without table. the
brent I have is the minimal one with one roller. slabs warp when rolled
only one way. i put slabs through twice (porcelain), revertsing the slab and
revolving it. try a slab roller with two rollers for more even squeeze.
vpitelka@Dekalb.Net on tue 3 sep 96
>I'm looking to purchase a new slab roller. I'm wondering if anyone has
>any experience with Brent or Bailey slab rollers.
>Paula in Miami
Paula -
I know that there are many out there who love their Baileys and North Stars,
but personally, I love the Brent - no nonsense, minimum of parts, little to
go wrong. It is true that you have to keep track of the shims (the
removeable sheets of masonite which determine the thickness of slab). I
have often wondered why Brent doesn't just make a very minor modification,
creating a "shelf" underneath to adequately accommodate the shims not being
used. Otherwise they end up leaned against the wall or taking up table
space. And if they are leaned up against the wall, and somebody
accidentally knocks one over, man, does it ever raise a cloud of dust!! I
STILL prefer the Brent slab roller over all the others.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@Dekalb.Net
Phone - home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801
Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville TN 37166
Dan Taylor on tue 3 sep 96
Paula Rubin asked about slab rollers...
I've used a Brent for about 10 years now with no complaints. Seems to do
the job although I have not had experience with any other brand so can't
compare. I have hear some goos reports on the Northstar. Maybe others can
comment on this.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
Dan Taylor dataylor@mlc.awinc.com
Taylor Clayworks Ph: (403)527-1002
1340 - 10th Ave. NE Fax: (403)527-1032
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 6G3 "Live your dreams"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
Marcia Selsor on tue 3 sep 96
Dear Paula,
I use a Brent SR36 (36") at MSU-B, have used a Northstar prior to that,
and have a Bailey and a custom made slab roller in my own studio.
Unknown to Vince, Brent has made the little modification of a shelf under
the table for storing the shims. My biggest complaint about the Brent
is the cable adjustments which get uneven and the roller goes off track.
This I suspect is due to student abuse.
The Northstar was ok for very light use. It had plastic gears which
broke more than once. They did replace them at no cost, but still. . .
My Bailey at home is old and uses shims as well. I built the table for it
and included a grooved ridge on the slide to store the shims. Never had
any problems with it.
The custom made one was designed and built by a German mechanic. His
first went to a friend, I bought the second. It is weird, but no
problems. The roller cranks up and down, "bicycle chain" driven
roller of solid steel.
Marcia Selsor
Montana State University-Billings,
mjbmls@imt.net
http://www.imt.net/~mjbmls
MarilynMFA@aol.com on tue 3 sep 96
Vince -
I was overjoyed to hear that you used a Brent slab roller and liked it!
Since you are familiar with it, perhaps you could let me (perhaps others)
know the absolute, correct way to repair the underlying cable. Our "Brent"
seems to be continually in need of a cable repair since many students,
although they are given the correct information on the usage of the roller,
seem to desire to insert unwedged clay or clay that is nearly leather hard
into the roller and let the roller do the correcting! Consequently, our
Brent roller is nearly always in need of repair! One day it works fine. Life
is beautiful and rolls along like a song! The next day it is no longer
usable. This makes the Brent, the roller I am currently stuck with, an
extremely frustrating machine. A number of us have put forth the theory that
perhaps we are repairing it incorrectly and THAT is the reason for the
continual breakage - not the design of the roller, itself, or the way it is
used. So, help, help! Might you know what we are doing wrong when we redo
the cable mechanism?
TIA,
Marilyn, in Utah
Don Sanami on tue 3 sep 96
Paula, We have a 30" NORTHSTAR and find it excellent. It has both a top
and a bottom roller. Both rollers are "Checked".(Similar to checking on
gun grips.) Each check is Delta shaped and,we believe this aids greatly
in relieving stress on the slab and preventing warping...especdially on
thin tile material. We have used only our own clay body. As any bodyneeds
to be,our body is nearly 2 years old and pit soaked before using,either
for throing or slab construction. Hope this note will be useful to you.
Isao & Don Morrill.On Mon, 2 Sep 1996, Paula Rubin wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi Everyone!
>
> I'm looking to purchase a new slab roller. I'm wondering if anyone has
> any experience with Brent or Bailey slab rollers. Can you give me any
> advice on the differences between the two brands and which one would be
> better? I would like the roller to be either 30" or 36".
>
> TIA
>
> Paula in Miami
>
vpitelka@Dekalb.Net on wed 4 sep 96
Marcia and others -
I am glad to hear that the new Brent slab rollers have that shelf to store
the shims. And Marcia, I have been using a number of different Brents for
the last ten years, with very heavy student use, and they have never needed
ANY cable adjustment. But it would take just one occurence of severe abuse
to need an adjustment. I guess I have been lucky. I have also used the
newer Baileys in university studios, and have had nothing but trouble with them.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@Dekalb.Net
Phone - home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801
Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville TN 37166
vpitelka@Dekalb.Net on wed 4 sep 96
At 10:07 PM 9/3/96 -0400, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Vince -
>I was overjoyed to hear that you used a Brent slab roller and liked it!
> Since you are familiar with it, perhaps you could let me (perhaps others)
>know the absolute, correct way to repair the underlying cable.
>Marilyn, in Utah
Marilyn -
Perhaps you should be asking Marcia Selsor at MSU-B this question, as she
has apparently had more experience adjusting the Brent slab rollers than I
have. As I said in an earlier post, apparently I have been lucky with them.
We drill into our students (kindly and gently) proper slab-roller usage, and
they NEVER try to roll clay which is too stiff. They apparently do follow
the guidelines we give them, because we never have to adjust the cables. As
I understand it, the primary fault in adjusting the cables is if they are
adjusted unevenly, so that one side pulls harder than the other, and the
roller gets off track. It is imperative that they are adjusted absolutely
evenly. Beyond that I can't tell you much. Call Brent.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@Dekalb.Net
Phone - home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801
Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville TN 37166
Levine Meg Jessica on wed 4 sep 96
I have a Northstar 30" slabroller. I have been quite happy with it as well
as with their customer service. I got the longer table, I think this is
called the "Super Slab Roller." For the work I make, I really appreciate
the 30" roller and the longer table. I got it from Bennetts and they gave
me a very low price ( including shipping if I remember correctly...) and
delivered it within a few days. This machine has two
wide rollers.
With a new e-mail address,
mlevine@dimensional.com
Meg Levine in Boulder, Colorado
Don Sanami on wed 4 sep 96
I forgot to mention,(Since it seened to have no bearing on the subect)
Northstar slab roller has no cables to wear break or bind...only the two
heavy rollers...no problems.ddon& ISao sanami/morrill
Levine Meg Jessica on thu 5 sep 96
When I was in graduate school there was a Brent
slabroller there that kept breaking. Specifically, the cables kept
getting messed up when some student would want to roll a thick piece of
clay through to a thin, thin, slab. Eventually the people who kept fixing
the cables got so sick of
fixing them constantly, that they were just going to get rid of it. I
volunteered (happily) to have it in my studio. It never broke for the
next two years when I was using it. With that Brent, and also with my
Northstar,that I use now, I don't put a very thick amount of clay into
the machine and try to roll a thin slab. Vince was right when he wrote
that this needs to be emphasized to the students. I must admit I don't
miss adding and subtracting boards when I want to change the thickness of
the slabs now that I use the Northstar. Meg
with a new e-mail address
mlevine@dimensional.com
SLPBM@cc.usu.edu on thu 5 sep 96
Alright-
I have heard a lot of praise for these Brents... and nothing but complaints
about the Bailey. When I worked for Mike Cohen in Amherst, he was still
using the Bailey prototype, 2 rollers, portable, homemade table etc. This
slab roller could blow the doors off the Brent we had at school, and
had little warpage to boot. Down side was that it had a tendency to break
this tiny little pin/awl in the mechanism that raised and lowered the roller
head. Then again I guess you have to give the slab roller some credit
considering it is getting mighty old.
Just figured I would send out a voice in support of the old Bailey slab roller.
Alex in Utah.
Charles Gareri on thu 5 sep 96
We have a Brent Sr-20 at school and have had nothing but trouble with it since d
adjust the cables according to the directions over and over again. We replaced
several times ( which is a messy lengthy job) but it would soon get out of align
become an expensive wedging table.
Charlie Gareri E-mail cgareri@netride.com
Pike High School/Art Dept./Indianapolis Indiana USA
(. .)
---------------------------ooO-(_)-Ooo-----
vpitelka@Dekalb.Net on sun 8 sep 96
A little more about the Brent slabrollers. I already gave my testimonial.
I love them. But after thinking about it I came up with several other
concerns in using the Brent. One is to NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER return the
roller by spinning the wheel very fast and allowing it to come up against
the stops with the wheel spinning. ONE TIME doing this can break the
cables, or at least stretch them so that the machine does not function for
#$%&. Another thing - if a Brent which is otherwise properly adjusted
produces slabs of uneven thickness (usually thick in the center) it is
because of the breakdown of the wooden planks beneath the shims. Between
the side members of the heavy frame there is a network of cross pieces
supporting several thicknesses of particle board beneath the shims. In our
Brent at U-Mass we replaced the cross pieces with a solid array of 2x4s from
one end to the other under the particle board planks. This helped a great deal.
It is interesting how our equipment likes and dislikes are often so extreme.
Either we absolutely LOVE a certain piece of equipment, or we have no use
for it whatsoever. Such is the nature of deep studio involvement, when the
payback from a high quality and well-cared-for piece of equipment is almost
immeasureable. My good friend and former student Alex Solla loved the
Bailey at Michael Cohen's studio in Amherst, and found the Brent at U-Mass
lacking. Knowing how Michael cares for his studio and equipment, anything
in his studio would be kept in perfect working order, and all studio helpers
would learn proper use of that equipment. I expect that under those
circumstances the Bailey performed very well. But from my point of view,
having seen slab rollers in the most trying university studio conditions,
the Brent is a superior machine.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@Dekalb.Net
Phone - home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801
Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville TN 37166
Susan stern on fri 6 dec 96
Hello All,
I need to purchase a slab roller in the very near future and would like to
know if anyone and everyone with any comments on either the Bailey DRD II or
the Northstar Polaris (both 24") could tell me the pros and cons on each.
The Bailey is a lot more expensive (not even offering a Christmas discount)
but it seems like it might be sturdier than the Polaris. Bennet has the
Polaris for a good price and it's the perfect size but I know nothing about
their nylon gears nor how difficult it could be to actually get an even slab
with a dual knob system to set the thickness. And I can't find anyone in my
area who has used either one. They have a huge Brent roller at school
(always with broken cables) so I was looking into these two because they use
the double rollers and no cables.
Any thoughts? Please!?
Susan stern on sat 7 dec 96
Thanks Michelle,
I appreciate your two cents! But to be clear, the Northstar is also a two
roller system, not one, and there is a difference in the price of over $200.
I'm willing to pay more if it's a significantly better machine, I would just
like to know if it really is before I plunk down the cash for it. If, in
fact, they are pretty comparable, I'd rather not spend that much more for it.
It's taken me a while to save up for it as it is. Just trying to be frugal,
not cheap! :-)
Susan
Susan stern on sat 7 dec 96
Hello All,
I need to purchase a slab roller in the very near future and would like to
know if anyone and everyone with any comments on either the Bailey DRD II or
the Northstar Polaris (both 24") could tell me the pros and cons on each.
The Bailey is a lot more expensive (not even offering a Christmas discount)
but it seems like it might be sturdier than the Polaris. Bennet has the
Polaris for a good price and it's the perfect size but I know nothing about
their nylon gears nor how difficult it could be to actually get an even slab
with a dual knob system to set the thickness. And I can't find anyone in my
area who has used either one. They have a huge Brent roller at school
(always with broken cables) so I was looking into these two because they use
the double rollers and no cables.
Any thoughts? Please!?
Susan
Joyce Lee, Jim Lee on sat 7 dec 96
Hi Susie,
I am a novice potter with two years experience in class and home
studios.
I researched slab rollers on clayart this past year before buying one.
The Bailey was definitely #1 in my very informal and limited survey and
is the roller I purchased. I love it. Only had to roll one slab to get
onto any intricacies it might have. The North Star was next in the
survey with its followers very enamored of it. I probably would have
loved it, too. Jack Phillips in Oregon (on Clayart) uses mostly slabs
and presented me with an excellent critique plus followup advice
concerning the Bailey.
Good Luck.
Joyce
Cold and windy Mojave. Furnace is fixed.
Bob Howell on sat 7 dec 96
Susan,
I have a polaris at home in my studio and a Bailey DRD at the school where I
teach. Although I've had the Polaris for many years, and have rolled good
slabs with it, if I were buying one now I would go with the Bailey. It's
much more heavy duty, and setting the thickness for an even slab with the
single crank is a snap. Good luck.
Bob
At 04:57 AM 12/6/96 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Hello All,
>
>I need to purchase a slab roller in the very near future and would like to
>know if anyone and everyone with any comments on either the Bailey DRD II or
>the Northstar Polaris (both 24") could tell me the pros and cons on each.
> The Bailey is a lot more expensive (not even offering a Christmas discount)
>but it seems like it might be sturdier than the Polaris. Bennet has the
>Polaris for a good price and it's the perfect size but I know nothing about
>their nylon gears nor how difficult it could be to actually get an even slab
>with a dual knob system to set the thickness. And I can't find anyone in my
>area who has used either one. They have a huge Brent roller at school
>(always with broken cables) so I was looking into these two because they use
>the double rollers and no cables.
>
>Any thoughts? Please!?
>
Bob Howell
723 Terra Ave.
Alexandria, LA 71303
bobhowell@linknet.net
Scott Harrison on wed 17 sep 97
We are contemplating purchase of a small slab roller and would like any
input on Bailey versus Northstar versus whoever. Also, are there any
plans for building your own? Any help would be appreciated. Scott
Harrison sharrison@humboldt.k12.ca.us
Kris Baum on thu 18 sep 97
Hi Scott -
I have a Northstar slab roller and I am pleased with the way it works
- it adjusts easily and seems to make even slabs. However, I
recently thought of the (Bailey?) ad that cites "slab roller or slab
smoother" when I was having a studio "challenge" ...
The clay has to be pretty flat before it will go through the
Northstar - otherwise the excess clay builds up into a big lump that
distorts the canvas and messes the whole thing up. Maybe it should
be no more than twice as thick as you want the finished slab to be?
The Bailey proponents could address this issue for the Bailey slab
rollers ...
===============================================
Kris Baum, Shubunkin Pottery
mailto:shubunki@erols.com
===============================================
Unruly JuliE on thu 18 sep 97
Scott,
I have a Bailey Mini-might. I love it. I only wish I had ROOM for a
larger one, the ONLY thing I do not like about it! I have a friend who
bought a large northstar and wishes she bought a bailey. I have used it
and agree with her. A bailey would have been better. It has been
awhile since I used it, can't remember exactly what it was, but remember
it was more work nor as easy to adjust the thickness of the slab. The
Mini-might (-mite?) uses the shims that go through the rollers with the
clay (inside canvas) on top of it. I think the Northstar had no shims,
but the rollers were in the air enough that they were off the table a
good 1/4". A little inconvient if I remember correctly. Although the
larger Baileys do not use the shims, the adjustments are easily made by
turning a couple of screws (with handles and a ruler attached). I think
the newer ones are even eaiser to adjust (the Baileys, not sure about
the Northstar).
My 2cents worth.
JuliE
Unruly JuliE on fri 19 sep 97
The bailey's do not need to have the clay a certain thickness, cut off a
big chunk, throw it down in front of the rollers and go. EXCEPT the
mini-might, which will only accept clay through the rollers that is less
than 1.5" thick.
I have a mini-might and am quite happy with it, except I wish I had room
for a larger one!
JuliE
Sam Cuttell on sat 20 sep 97
>Date: Thu, 18 Sep 1997 14:45:35
>To: shubunki@erols.com
>From: Sam Cuttell
>Subject: Re: Slab rollers
>
>At 06:50 AM 9/18/97 EDT, you wrote:
>>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>>Hi Scott -
>>
>>I have a Northstar slab roller and I am pleased with the way it works
>>- it adjusts easily and seems to make even slabs. However, I
>>recently thought of the (Bailey?) ad that cites "slab roller or slab
>>smoother" when I was having a studio "challenge" ...
>>The clay has to be pretty flat before it will go through the
>>Northstar - otherwise the excess clay builds up into a big lump that
>>distorts the canvas and messes the whole thing up. Maybe it should
>>be no more than twice as thick as you want the finished slab to be?
>>The Bailey proponents could address this issue for the Bailey slab
>>rollers ...
>>===============================================
>>Kris Baum, Shubunkin Pottery
>>mailto:shubunki@erols.com
>>===============================================
>>
>>
>
>I bought a Bailey's after returning from NCECA. Being there gave
>me an incredible opportunity to pick the brains of hundreds of
>working potters. The answer was almost unanimous(sp?) - BAILEY.
>
>I'm very pleased. It has one knob height adjustment with ruler.
>You can put through any thickness *once* and get an even thickness
>(thinness!) out. There are no shims - just canvas. I've never
>used a slab roller before purchasing mine - and I'm thrilled with
>the investment.
>
>Mine is a 24" complete with table.
>
>Usual disclaimers apply.
>
>sam - alias the cat lady
>
David Hendley on sat 20 sep 97
"Getting Into Pots, A Basic Pottery Manual" by George and Nancy Wettlaufer
(Prentice-Hall)
has plans for building your own.
I'm sure it's long out of print.
The plans are reprinted in Ceramics Monthly, February 1977.
It requires no welding and "costs about $40" (1977 prices).
At 08:18 AM 9/17/97 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>We are contemplating purchase of a small slab roller and would like any
>input on Bailey versus Northstar versus whoever. Also, are there any
>plans for building your own? Any help would be appreciated. Scott
>Harrison sharrison@humboldt.k12.ca.us
>
>
David Hendley
Maydelle, Texas
See David Hendley's Pottery Page at
http://www.sosis.com/hendley/david/
bIlL BuCkNeR on sat 4 jul 98
I have been considering purchasing a North Star slab roller. Does anybody
have any experience (good or bad) they could share with me on that subject?
Thanks, -Bill Buckner
e-mail: billtom@mindspring.com
web: http://billtom.home.mindspring.com
Why do they put Braille on drive-through bank machines?
Bobbi Bassett on sun 5 jul 98
We have a North Star slab roller and love it. We've had it for 5 or 6 years.
We like the fact that you have infinite adjustments. I suggest you buy it
directly through North Star if you can. The man who owns the company is a
wealth of information and very willing to listen and give educated
suggestions. We also have a North Star extruder that we are VERY happy with.
Good luck
Bobbi in sunny PA
Happy 4th !!!
Gail Bakutis on sun 5 jul 98
I bought a Northstar slab roller because it was relatively portable and
the price was right about ten years ago for use by hundreds of adult
students at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. I was concerned that its
plastic gears wouldn't hold up to the abuse given my novices and eager
beavers putting far too heavy loads of clay through it.
Not to worry. It's been great. Not a single problem.
In my studio I have two Brent rollers which are really workhorses and
which I adore, if one can adore a slab roller. But they are very
expensive and not easy to move.
Mo and Les Beardsley on mon 6 jul 98
bIlL BuCkNeR wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I have been considering purchasing a North Star slab roller. Does anybody
> have any experience (good or bad) they could share with me on that subject?
> Thanks, -Bill Buckner
>
> e-mail: billtom@mindspring.com
> web: http://billtom.home.mindspring.com
>
> Why do they put Braille on drive-through bank machines?
Hi Bill
I have a North Star slab roller and it is excellent. I have used both
the wheel and the handle style and much prefer the wheel.
I am sure you will like it- if you have any specific questions please
feel free to email me.
Regards
Les Beardsley
Jo Smith on fri 1 oct 99
Hello fellow Clay Artists
My name is Joseph and I am looking for feedback on slab rollers.
The only one that is kept in stock in my area is the Northstar 24" slab
roller package.
I have seen ads for others such as the Baily. Each claiming to be the
best.
I would appreciate any comments or suggestions, (the good and bad) on
the different slab rollers available. Or if anyone knows where I can get
plans on making one or an easy way to make a lot of slabs of uniform
thickness. I am presently making/rolling slabs by hand but I have a
project in mind that will require a lot of slabbing (not tiles).
I am no longer on the list, (no time to go through the many e-mails) but
would appreciate any help directly. Please respond to my home e-mail
at winsmith@compusmart.ab.ca.
Thanks in advance and keep on potting.
Joseph
barbara skelton-or on mon 11 dec 00
Marion Ive had a Northstar slab roller for two years...Im a wannabe potter
and I love it. Have used a Bailey and its better-also far more money. It
depends on your production-----mine is a kiln load off and on and I really
don't need a fancy one.
Good luck.
Barb in Oregon
----- Original Message -----
From: "Butters, Marion"
To:
Sent: Monday, December 11, 2000 2:22 PM
Subject: slab rollers
> Hello "Clay-Arters":
> I am planning on buying a slab roller in Jan or Feb. I would like to know
> if any of you have the Northstar
> slab roller? I would like feedback on how it performs. I was looking at
the
> Brent models, but they seem to cost quite a bit more once you go up from
the
> "crank handle" model to their "wagon wheel" models.
> If you have a different slab roller than mentioned here, please provide
> feedback on any you may have had experience with, and your
recommendations.
>
> I would imagine that the freight cost is significant as well..... but
there
> is a place that provides free shipping of the Northstar.... worth it or
> not?? Opinions, comments, and advice most welcome. Please respond to my
> e-mail address below rather than to the entire clayart list as this
subject
> may have been discussed in the past and everyone may not be interested if
> this feedback is redundant. Thanks a lot!
>
> mbutters@qg.com
> (414) 566-2610 (office)
> (262) 246-5433 (fax)
>
>
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> This message has been scanned for viruses with Trend Micro's Interscan
VirusWall.
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
Earl Brunner on mon 11 dec 00
There's a good section in the archives about slab rollers, there has
been quite a bit of discussion on them. I have a Northstar and like it
a lot. I have heard others favor the Bailey.
Check out:
http://www.potters.org/category012.htm
Butters, Marion wrote:
> Hello "Clay-Arters":
> I am planning on buying a slab roller in Jan or Feb. I would like to know
> if any of you have the Northstar
> slab roller? I would like feedback on how it performs. I was looking at the
> Brent models, but they seem to cost quite a bit more once you go up from the
> "crank handle" model to their "wagon wheel" models.
> If you have a different slab roller than mentioned here, please provide
> feedback on any you may have had experience with, and your recommendations.
>
> I would imagine that the freight cost is significant as well..... but there
> is a place that provides free shipping of the Northstar.... worth it or
> not?? Opinions, comments, and advice most welcome. Please respond to my
> e-mail address below rather than to the entire clayart list as this subject
> may have been discussed in the past and everyone may not be interested if
> this feedback is redundant. Thanks a lot!
>
> mbutters@qg.com
> (414) 566-2610 (office)
> (262) 246-5433 (fax)
>
>
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> This message has been scanned for viruses with Trend Micro's Interscan VirusWall.
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
--
Earl Brunner
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec
mailto:bruec@anv.net
Butters, Marion on mon 11 dec 00
Hello "Clay-Arters":
I am planning on buying a slab roller in Jan or Feb. I would like to know
if any of you have the Northstar
slab roller? I would like feedback on how it performs. I was looking at the
Brent models, but they seem to cost quite a bit more once you go up from the
"crank handle" model to their "wagon wheel" models.
If you have a different slab roller than mentioned here, please provide
feedback on any you may have had experience with, and your recommendations.
I would imagine that the freight cost is significant as well..... but there
is a place that provides free shipping of the Northstar.... worth it or
not?? Opinions, comments, and advice most welcome. Please respond to my
e-mail address below rather than to the entire clayart list as this subject
may have been discussed in the past and everyone may not be interested if
this feedback is redundant. Thanks a lot!
mbutters@qg.com
(414) 566-2610 (office)
(262) 246-5433 (fax)
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L. P. Skeen on tue 12 dec 00
IMO, the North Star is the best slab roller. It has 2 rollers instead of
one, and can be fitted with a big 'wagon wheel' instead of the crank handle.
It is very easy to use, and easily adjustable. Go for it, you won't be
disappointed.
----- Original Message -----
From: Butters, Marion
To:
Sent: Monday, December 11, 2000 5:22 PM
Subject: slab rollers
> Hello "Clay-Arters":
> I am planning on buying a slab roller in Jan or Feb. I would like to know
> if any of you have the Northstar
> slab roller? I would like feedback on how it performs. I was looking at
the
> Brent models, but they seem to cost quite a bit more once you go up from
the
> "crank handle" model to their "wagon wheel" models.
> If you have a different slab roller than mentioned here, please provide
> feedback on any you may have had experience with, and your
recommendations.
>
> I would imagine that the freight cost is significant as well..... but
there
> is a place that provides free shipping of the Northstar.... worth it or
> not?? Opinions, comments, and advice most welcome. Please respond to my
> e-mail address below rather than to the entire clayart list as this
subject
> may have been discussed in the past and everyone may not be interested if
> this feedback is redundant. Thanks a lot!
>
> mbutters@qg.com
> (414) 566-2610 (office)
> (262) 246-5433 (fax)
>
>
>
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____________________________________________________________________________
__
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>
WHew536674@CS.COM on tue 12 dec 00
I LOOOOOOOOVE my Northstar.
Joyce A
Eric Suchman on mon 30 sep 02
Where was the article regarding slab rollers? and when?
claybair on tue 1 oct 02
Eric,
Pottery Making Illustrated
Special Potters Guide
Issue 2001-2002
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com
-----Original Message-----
From:Eric Suchman
Where was the article regarding slab rollers? and when?
Eric Suchman on tue 1 oct 02
thanks
> From: claybair
> Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
> Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2002 08:17:19 -0700
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Re: Slab rollers
>
> Eric,
> Pottery Making Illustrated
> Special Potters Guide
> Issue 2001-2002
>
> Gayle Bair
> Bainbridge Island, WA
> http://claybair.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:Eric Suchman
> Where was the article regarding slab rollers? and when?
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
Larry Bosel on thu 19 dec 02
Hi
Does any one have plans for a slab roller.Would like to build if can.
Greg Lamont on fri 20 dec 02
Larry,
E-mail me privately and I'll send you links to some plans.
Greg
-----Original Message-----
From: Larry Bosel
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Date: Thursday, December 19, 2002 2:11 PM
Subject: slab rollers
>Hi
>Does any one have plans for a slab roller.Would like to build if can.
>
>___________________________________________________________________________
___
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
Ababi on sat 21 dec 02
In my site supper simple not the best, perhaps can direct you to a better one:
http://members4.clubphoto.com/ababi306910/536313/
Ababi
---------- Original Message ----------
>Larry,
>E-mail me privately and I'll send you links to some plans.
>Greg
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Larry Bosel
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Date: Thursday, December 19, 2002 2:11 PM
>Subject: slab rollers
>>Hi
>>Does any one have plans for a slab roller.Would like to build if can.
>>
>>___________________________________________________________________________
>___
>>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>>
>>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>>
>>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
>>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
Lois on wed 7 may 03
Does anyone have any opinions about the Axner Rolling
Thunder slab roller? Is it any good? How does it
compare to the Bailey or North Star product? Thanks
for any info.
__________________________________
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The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.
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Les on tue 16 sep 03
Jerez -
North Star!
Les Crimp on that Island inn the Pacific.
lcrimp@shaw.ca
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jerez"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2003 4:12 PM
Subject: Slab rollers
> Looking to purchase a slab roller soon, and I would like to know what
> experience others have had with slab rollers before doing so. I am
> only familiar with brent and north star. I have a small studio, and,
> budget.
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Jerez on tue 16 sep 03
The price sounds good! Can you draw me a picture Hank? I like to
build things, but I am not a guy, and so maybe not as experienced as
some may be, although I designed a spray booth out of a cardboard
box!.
Jerez on tue 16 sep 03
Looking to purchase a slab roller soon, and I would like to know what
experience others have had with slab rollers before doing so. I am
only familiar with brent and north star. I have a small studio, and,
budget.
stacey ballard on tue 16 sep 03
I just bought a 30' slab roller from north star last weekend, I need the width, but not the heavy duty rollers, which would have raised the cost significantly. So I got the width I wanted , but instead of the professional rollers (they are more heavy duty) I just got the regular ones. I LOVE IT!
Good Luck,
Stacey Ballard
http://www.basicelemenets.biz
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software
Hank Murrow on tue 16 sep 03
On Tuesday, September 16, 2003, at 04:12 PM, Jerez wrote:
> Looking to purchase a slab roller soon, and I would like to know what
> experience others have had with slab rollers before doing so. I am
> only familiar with brent and north star. I have a small studio, and,
> budget.
Dear Jerez;
I guess I could have bought one, but here is what I did instead:
went to the steel place and got a 40" x 8" diameter piece of steel=20
pipe, some 8"x8" scraps for end plates, and two pieces of 1" black pipe=20=
with caps, for handles. Pipes welded to end plates, end plates welded=20
to big pipe, fill it with water for weight and cap it......and Voil=E0! =
=20
I am rolling out 36" slabs on my table. When I am done, I empty the=20
water from the roller and put it away, it is light now, and it no=20
longer takes up valuable space....propped up in a corner. table goes=20
back to being my primary work surface. I use two sheets of 'filter=20
cloth' (a Dacron duck with a nubby side) with the clay in between. The=20=
4' x 10' table is covered with stretched canvas. total cost =3D $78.
You could do this too, or not, Hank in Eugene
Hank Murrow on wed 17 sep 03
On Tuesday, September 16, 2003, at 07:17 PM, Jerez wrote:
> The price sounds good! Can you draw me a picture Hank? I like to
> build things, but I am not a guy, and so maybe not as experienced as
> some may be, although I designed a spray booth out of a cardboard
> box!.
>
dear Jerez;
While i still think my roller is too big for you, if you send me a
snail addy, I will send a drawing.
Cheers, hank
Cheryl & Gene on wed 17 sep 03
I recently purchased the Axner Rolling Thunder slab roller, after much
questioning, and am very pleased with it. It's a very fine machine, and
Axner's service was excellent. The roller is 30 inches wide, but the table
is only a bit over 4 feet long, so fits well in my studio space, which is
also rather small. I don't do production work, so this machine is
more-than-adequate for my handbuilt pieces.
Cheryl Lee
Stony Clearing Studio
Bellingham, WA
_______________________________________________________
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
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Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
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Alycia Goeke on wed 17 sep 03
hi...
i also have a small sized studio. i got a bailey DRDll 24". i really like it.
the gears are made from steel-there is never a need for more than one pass.
it is a smaller version of the slab roller we used in the studio where i used
to work. i was impressed with it because it had been there for years and had
been used by tons of people and was still in good shape.
when i ordered mine, i also got the 24" table. it fits with the slab roller
so well. for a few more dollars, i also did the upgrade so i could have the
round handle instead of the spoked one that it came with. i think they are easier
to maneuver. i was able to assemble it myself and know that i will have it
for many years to come.
exciting times!
alycia
Barbara Smith on sun 9 nov 03
I've been a part-time potter for many years, and am finally considering
purchasing a slab roller. I've made a lot of ornaments using a rolling
pin, but I want to get into doing some tile work, hence the desire for a
slab roller. I'm looking at both the Bailey DRD-II 24" and the North Star
Standard 24" model. I like the Bailey because it only requires one run-
through of the clay to produce the desired slab, and the roller is at one
end of the table rather than in the middle (more work space?). The North
Star's advantages are that it comes with a smaller table (I have limited
space in my studio) and the price is about $200 less. Does anyone have
any suggestions on which way I should go? Thanks.
Cindi Anderson on mon 10 nov 03
It doesn't do much good when people say they love their Bailey slab roller
and don't say which model. They have many models! In 24" there are 3
choices, the mini-might, the DRDII gear reduced, and the DRDII non-gear
reduced. If you had said 30", that would add the DRD and the DB models.
All very different! Let's try to be as specific as possible when we give
feedback on products!
Thanks
Cindi
----- Original Message -----
> I have a Bailey 24" wide slab roller and love it!
Eric Suchman on mon 10 nov 03
Take a look at the Axner Rolling thunder. I bought one and am quite
impressed with how well built and user friendly it is.
Eric in Oceanside
> From: Barbara Smith
> Reply-To: Clayart
> Date: Sun, 9 Nov 2003 16:56:41 -0500
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Slab rollers
>
> I've been a part-time potter for many years, and am finally considering
> purchasing a slab roller. I've made a lot of ornaments using a rolling
> pin, but I want to get into doing some tile work, hence the desire for a
> slab roller. I'm looking at both the Bailey DRD-II 24" and the North Star
> Standard 24" model. I like the Bailey because it only requires one run-
> through of the clay to produce the desired slab, and the roller is at one
> end of the table rather than in the middle (more work space?). The North
> Star's advantages are that it comes with a smaller table (I have limited
> space in my studio) and the price is about $200 less. Does anyone have
> any suggestions on which way I should go? Thanks.
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
Susan Fox-Hirschmann on mon 10 nov 03
I have a Bailey 24" wide slab roller and love it! Have had it for about 15
years, I think and so far never had a problem tho it was a bit of a bear to
put together....as some of the screws were missing and the directions not too
clear. (I am sort of technically challenged and not very mechanical, so these
things may not be problems to the
more mechnaically adept out there.) As a result the roller is not totally
even . I recommend if you can get one adjuster that adjusts both sides of the
roller ....some of the issues that I have with slightly uneven slabs would be
prevented.
The Bailey tech support is terrific and always able to help you.
Good luck!
Sincerely
Susan
Annandale, VA
USZ
Laura Kneppel on tue 11 nov 03
Hi Cindi,
Has there been any other feedback on the Baileys? I must have missed
them. Anyway, I have had a Bailey Mini-Might for about 5 or 6 years and
for up to 24" slabs (although I don't usually do much larger than 18")
it works great. I am not a huge slab producer, so maybe another one
would work better for a high production slab artist. It uses Masonite
shims to control slab thickness. It's been trouble-free and I got just
the slab roller without the table. I had purchased (for like 20 bucks)
an old "computer table" from a company selling old office furniture.
The table has a super thick formica over particle board top and is very
sturdy. The Bailey came with good instructions for building the table
support and I was able to construct a very nice slab rolling system
that for a long time doubled as my wedging table (thanks to a sheet of
Hardibacker board and a couple C-clamps). Check office furniture
surplus stores in your area or with friends who may work for companies
that do employee surplus sales - great source for old office chairs. I
also have another old office table that is now my wedging table.
Sometimes school districts sell old or surplus stuff, too.
Laurie
Sacramento, CA
http://rockyraku.com
On Monday, November 10, 2003, at 11:24 PM, Cindi Anderson wrote:
> It doesn't do much good when people say they love their Bailey slab
> roller
> and don't say which model. They have many models! In 24" there are 3
> choices, the mini-might, the DRDII gear reduced, and the DRDII non-gear
> reduced. If you had said 30", that would add the DRD and the DB
> models.
> All very different! Let's try to be as specific as possible when we
> give
> feedback on products!
>
> Thanks
> Cindi
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
>> I have a Bailey 24" wide slab roller and love it!
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> _______
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
Lili Krakowski on fri 17 aug 07
I own a North Star slab roller and love it. It is lightweight, easy to
move, which is something I need.
I bought it a few years back because my wrist and hand problems are such I
can't cope with rolling pins, and slamming the clay on the ground works in
Summer when I can do it outdoors (on a piece of plywood) but not in winter
(indoors)
Slab rollers have few parts. There is a roller which acts as the rolling
pin would. There is another something that propels or helps propel the clay
forward (and backward) . There is a device that raises and lowers the
roller or the "bed" so that the thickness of the slab can be adjusted. And
there is something that propels the whole thing.
I have a very big slab roller that was built for me by someone who knew how
to weld (Yes, I know Mel, but welding is one of the things I am scared of.
I let Mr K singe HIS moustache! But someone else built this roller.)
There are two rollers salvaged from some piece of farm equipment. One is
fixed onto the frame and turned by the "wheel" of an old corn grinder--but I
expect an old steering wheel from a truck or such would serve.
The interesting part of this slab roller is that it does not screw up and
down. Two small bottle jacks adjust the top roller (I would prefer if it
were on the bottom one, but never mind) so that by the jacks' pressure the
gap between the rollers is adjusted.
There as a book I do not seem to find, alas, in the old book market--a
couple called Westlauf or like that had a lovely book called "Getting
Started in Clay." They used the roller thingies that used to be used for
bringing stuff into the basement of groceries and the like....Lots of little
roller skate type rollers....Where one would find such a thing today? No
idea?
I expect that one could adapt the roller thing off skate boards, in line
skates and so on...
BUT HERE COMES THE CAVEAT! Good rollers are hard to find. You probably
could scrounge around for old printing presses or whatever, but good rollers
are hard to find. Although I generally rant against buying stuff one could
build, here I think buying is the sensible way to go, It is NOT that it is
a terrific task...it just is that the ingredients are hard to find, and one
needs
skills and tools and like that....
Lili Krakowski
Be of good courage
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