Max's Deals

The interior of the Standard extruder is plain steel. If the barrel's isn't washed out and periodically protected with a light film of machine oil or silicone lubricant, then it can rust or develop light oxidation that can stain your clay. Keep it clean and dry between uses and the Standard model can be used just like the Stainless model. The Standard model comes with our Basic Die Kit and one blank die installed. The basic die kit includes 8 coil dies, 2 handle dies, one square coil, one hex coil, a blank die and a die mask.  Several of the coil dies contain 4 cavities of different sizes and the die mask is used to block off any three of them.

In these extruders, the handle length and barrel size are matched to give plenty of leverage without ratcheting.  There are no dangerous shackles, fewer pinch points, no clumsy multi-jointed handle to come loose, and no post or ratchet parts to wear out.   The handle is anchored at one fixed pivot point, completely eliminating the danger of a heavy steel bar slipping or suddenly offering no resistance.  Clay is loaded with the handle in the down position, again eliminating danger from a heavy, hard-to-control handle.

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Combine the North Star 18" Standard slab roller with a specially designed set of Table Toppers and you have the North Star PortaRoller.  We designed the PortaRoller for ceramic arts teachers who are moving from classroom to classroom and for studio potters who need a fully functional slab roller but have limited space.

Like the other North Star slab rollers, the PortaRoller has two rolls, much like the wringer of an old-fashioned washing machine.  Both rolls have a small diamond pattern ("knurling") machined directly into the metal to grip the canvas.  The bottom roll is turned by the handle, but cannot move vertically.  As it turns, it drives the top roll through a train of gears.  The upper roll both turns and can be adjusted up and down.  The two rolls turning together pull slabs through easily, and the vertical adjustment of the top roll gives an easy-to-set and infinitely adjustable thickness from paper-thin to over 2 inches.  A reference scale allows setting and repeating openings to within 1/100 of an inch.

The design gives great flexibility in making slabs.  Very thin, translucent porcelain slabs and thick, heavily textured architectural slabs are equally easy.  A wide variety of other texturing materials and objects can be passed through the machine along with the clay. Slabs can be rolled either direction or reversed on all North Star machines.

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If you are ordering a KilnSitter kiln you may want to equip it with a Skutt Analog Pyrometer. A pyrometer will let you know what the temperature of the kiln chamber is throughout the entire firing. This is especially helpful to know when you are firing glass, heat treating metal or troubleshooting your kiln. The pyrometer comes complete with a MI Cable Type K thermocouple and all the mounting hardware needed. 0-2500F type K thermocouple with wall mounted meter